Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

oooh they look nice, a few on the bay too

do youself a big favour - you can get HD650s for £179 if you shop around.

you will never need another headphone.

I was going to say this - I got mine for £170 on Amazon about 6 months ago, (about £100 cheaper than anywhere else at the time , in fact such a good deal, I thought it mus have been a mistake!)

But when I went to get a link from Amazon they were about £279 again, most odd.

Anyway, I like mine, I picked up a Musical Fidelity X-cans second hand to drive them, and they sound pretty damn sweet.

Admitidely I get frustrated when I say "What can I get for £100?" and then get told, well for £180 plus £(insert random number) for an amp to drive them, it is not helpful.

I would say that the HD650's do benefit no end from a headphone amp, or at least an amp with a respectable headphone stage.

Vinyl? flash in the pan stuff for kids. Shellac is where it's at. And none of your new fangled discs. If it don't have Thomas announcin' that its a "Phonograph record"* at the beginning, it ain't old school;
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[FONT=Times][SIZE=3]* and record pronounced as you would if you said "Press record"[/SIZE][/FONT]

I kinda wish i was more of audiophile. I almost feel guilty for not being one. I am quite anal about some audio related things such as guitar amplifiers (posh valves, upgrading electrolytics and speakers etc). But not the obsessive extent mentioned upthread. Like many here i want something to sound good and have the knowledge that i've got good quality, well made, long lasting kit. When i've got everything working nicely my "aquisition syndrome" completely disappears. I think i'm pretty grounded like that.

But when it come to stereos i've always been perfectly happy with "decent" sounding entry level stuff and I'd quite like to experiment with some better sounding stuff to see if I find the investment and listening experience rewarding. I'm after the next step up from the bog standard cambridge audio amp/cd player and 70s mordaunt short speakers i've currently got.

Any ideas?

amen to that, lovely headphones. I drop them on the ground / floor on almost a daily basis and they hold up fine. just swapped the foam pads for velour covered ones, now that's a good upgrade

ooooh - linky linky please

Can any of you aural addicts give me a recommendation for the most accurate and uncoloured reference cans for around 100 notes?

I was looking at HD-25 II's... But i'm not sure how much an improvement on the hd 215's I have they would be.

I've got a pair of HD25 and they're ace however I don't think you'd call them reference. I have been told that all closed headphones are bass heavy. They're not intended for properly flat monitoring type uses per se.

If you're after accuracy to go for semi open types - AKG K141s have a good rep

or maybe this cheaper version... K121

(if the sound leaking out doesn't matter that is)
AKG also make a closed back version though...

I'd still end up getting the HD25s though cause they look better and are a bit punchier...
Or you could snap a pair of studio monitors! Keep an eye on scumtree and the bay. People love upgrading that stuff...

amen to that, lovely headphones. I drop them on the ground / floor on almost a daily basis and they hold up fine. just swapped the foam pads for velour covered ones, now that's a good upgrade

ooooh - linky linky please

Thanks for the advice you lovely people! My dad actually has a pair of hd650's which I may borrow if i need 'the best'. The headphones are actually for use on my uni course (I'm doing sound design) so i didn't really wanna borrow them to then find that they'd been pinched/stepped on/covered in insant noodles. Hence the £100 tag, as it's not nearly as bad if anything happened to them.

Not picky about closed or open. I'm used to closed (hd215s) but I've also used the K121 that you recommended polking and got on fine. Just looking for lightness and robustness really. I should have really explained myself a little better!

I think i'll have a look into the K141s and SR80s.

ooooh - linky linky please

think it's these

http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/headphones/23016/Sennheiser+HD25+Velour+Earpads.htm

they're supernice, it's like your ears are being hugged by the headphones

cheers geezer - might treat meself to a set of those

Well pair of Leak 20 amps, I'm the second owner, consecutive numbers. Were left to me by an old nieghbours as I used to go round his place to listen to old blues and jazz records. Some old rodgers BBC studio design speakers with odd oval mid range speakers.

Rega planner 2 player gold ring cart, marantz some thing CD player Arcam Alpha amp in the living room with mission speaker and some little ariston ones too runs internet andd MP3 player. In the bedroom I have a project debut deck both with goldring cart a Leak thorough linr radio and Leak 30 amplifier.

I also have a pair of old jukebox amps that I will sell one day but every so often turn them on andd plug in my old garrad deck and play some old 78.s and feel better and know that I shouldn't get rid of them, but should actually use them more.

and what colour is your goatie/fussy beard?

Would very much like to hear some electrostatic output from these things

I have a question and I suppose this is about the best place to ask so here goes, I really hope someone can help:

I'm after some speakers. I'm not in a position to buy an all-out hi-fi system (although there will definitely be a time for this when I have my own place and some dollar) and nor do I wish to buy one bit by bit as and when I can afford it. Rather I want something that will do me until I can invest properly in due course.

My iMac is connected to some fairly old JVC speakers (of questionable quality), via a 35 year old Akai amp. This is how I listen to music (with a bit of help from iTunes). I'd like to do away with the amp and speakers and get some small desktop speakers that connect directly to my computer as space is extremely limited.

Now I know that Bose have an extremely dubious reputation amongst audiophile types, but would something along the lines of their Companion 2 or even 3 be ok for this application? Once I get something better in a few years time they'd still be useful to go with a computer in the study or something.

Any advice gratefully received.

my wife got me these for my birthday last year.
i like them

http://reviews.techcastnetwork.co.uk/2008/09/18/jbl-spot/

reviews here

Amazon.co.uk: Customer Reviews: JBL Spot 2.1 Speakers - Interchangeable Black & White Covers

These are pretty damn good, I have them and they're great for mp3 playback, gaming, DVDS... http://www.bonnersmusic.co.uk/buy/Edirol/MA15d_Active_Powered_Studio_Monitor_Speakers_15_Watts

However you would prob get a 'boomier' sound from a 2.1 system...the Edirols are intended as studio monitors

These are very good:

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/M-Audio-Studiophile-Av40-Desktop-Speakers/dp/B000RPT0UE"]M-Audio Studiophile Av40 Desktop Speakers: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo[/ame]

These are fine for my MP3.

On a plus point this thread has taken me to the loft to get my amp, cd player (both NAD) and my Wharfedale diamond 6's out of their boxes.

I thank you all.

those JBL's are seriously good for the money. i need to get some to plug into my work computer

my stylus needs replacement so i was thinking about upgrading the catridge too if anyone can recommend a good value for money set. i'm after something with good detailing and fidelity.

my humble setup is a gemini dj turntable, a 70'ies jvc integrated amp and some infinity speakers - might post a photo at some point.

I think I already know the answer, but are any of those USB turntables any good? I'm looking for a cheapish option of recording vinyl. Have a decent soundcard and Mindprint input strip on PC. Just don't really want to have to get my Linn Axis outta storage and shipped up here.....

Is there anything in this thread about electronic music? I am in the process of selling my Marantz set up, and selling all my cds'. At present, I've burnt them into flac format.....

i don't know, you could read it and find out, couldn't you.

too long for that...

too long for that...

just wait here and someone will come hold your hand