Record players

[Sworntothecans]

Always sickened when it's not the anti-static inners.

Apparently there's feck all in terms of cost too.
Majors seem to be the worst for it with Warner's stuff usually caked in paper when you take it out of the shrink.

The Death Symbolic pressing needed about two wet cleans before I played it and there was still crap on the stylus. Spincare sorted it finally but did have to wait until I'd 20 or so records to clean with it so I wasn't wasting the cleaning fluid/distilled water.

[Barnacle Billy]

Lads, go audiophile. I'm serious!

I had a nice little set up for years. A Sony PS-LX3BT turntable and active Edifier R1700BT bookshelf speakers. They were grand, or so I thought.
A few years ago I got a wedge of tax money back and decided (for once) to treat myself to a nice system to compliment my healthy collection of records primarily.
I had being eyeing up my perfect audiophile system that would be a decent budget of around €3000 or less hopefully.
I spotted the speakers I wanted from a French vendor on eBay for €200 less than anywhere else
Edifier S3000 Pro studio grade active speakers.
Got for €599 delivered.
I then waited a couple of months for the Black Friday sale and got a nice deal on the Rega Planar 3 50th anniversary edition turntable. Which had some nice extras thrown in for free.
It was €1030 delivered.
I got the Cambridge Alba Dou phono pre-amp for half price, €150 delivered... and some good quality cables to help the set up.
So all in, a bit under €2000 for an absolute beaut of a system.
Let me tell you, once it was all set up and laid out properly. It was like hearing music for the first time. It blew me away, and even if I went into another room, it sounded like I was still in the room with it, and it not even turned up much.
We all love our collections, and if you can ever afford it, go audiophile. You won't regret it.

[Jward]

Sounds like a great setup

Enjoy!

[Barnacle Billy]

Sounds like a great setup

Enjoy!

Delighted with it. Wish I'd dived in years ago tbh...
It has actually saved me a few bob over the last couple of years. I'm more inclined to stay in of a weekend nowadays with a few cans and be happy with the feet up in front of the system.
So all good.

[Emphyrio]

I'm not a vinyl fella, which my wallet thanks me for, so most of my listening is via Bluetooth on my hifi. Would you say these speakers would do the job in that regard?

[Barnacle Billy]

I'm not a vinyl fella, which my wallet thanks me for, so most of my listening is via Bluetooth on my hifi. Would you say these speakers would do the job in that regard?

The speakers would do any system justice as they're absolutely fantastic, but you could also look into getting a streamer instead of making such a big purchase with the speakers.
Such as the WiiM Pro Plus for around €250
WiiM Pro Plus review: potent streaming performance on a budget | What Hi-Fi? https://share.google/OxZGnXnZaDri3swqe

You'll automatically upgrade on the limited Bluetooth range with a streamer like that, and it's compatible with Spotify, Tidal, etc.

[Barnacle Billy]

The Edifiers will set you back around €700 atm, but worth every penny. You can hook them up to your TV with an optical cable (which I did) and you'll have serious boost to your favourite movies or live gigs, music shows, etc.
Depends on how much you want to spend, and what your current system speakers are capable of.
Good to have the option nowadays though, the speakers or the streamer.

Edifier S3000 Pro Active Stereo Speaker Review | AVForums https://share.google/Ftv3MaJn40wqwXnpb

[Emphyrio]

Fair play dude, thanks for the info.

[Pat Twisted Wrath]

Fair play- that sounds like a grand auld set up!

I have to say, best decision ive made in a long time getting my own set up. Im actually enjoying listening to music again. With Spotify and literally every fucking song available all the time, I never listened to albums, just random playlists... really just trying to find something to fill the noise while im at the gym or working. Now im actually taking in full albums again, looking forward to new releases and having something physical to buy.

[Jward]

Try to keep the speakers pointed in to where you normally sit, & a ear level if possible

Mine are about a foot above my ears when seated, but tilted in towards me, & out as far as possible from the walls as the bass from the speakers can shake the walls & the floor, which can have it's benefits, I know 

It all comes down to what suits your room, shelves, etc
But the smallest tweaks can make a noticeable difference
The thing with that then, is you get used to it, & are nearly looking for something else that can be improved 

But the main thing is, the sound is full ... & you can really hear the recording/production/mank/clarity

It can be magic getting an early press of something (Sabbath, Deep Purple, even Metallica), & hearing these things you never head before 

I find a needle, amp, speaker, room & your own ears need time to bed-in, to get to know each other ... so enjoy the ride!

[Barnacle Billy]

Try to keep the speakers pointed in to where you normally sit, & a ear level if possible

Mine are about a foot above my ears when seated, but tilted in towards me, & out as far as possible from the walls as the bass from the speakers can shake the walls & the floor, which can have it's benefits, I know 

It all comes down to what suits your room, shelves, etc
But the smallest tweaks can make a noticeable difference
The thing with that then, is you get used to it, & are nearly looking for something else that can be improved 

But the main thing is, the sound is full ... & you can really hear the recording/production/mank/clarity

It can be magic getting an early press of something (Sabbath, Deep Purple, even Metallica), & hearing these things you never head before 

I find a needle, amp, speaker, room & your own ears need time to bed-in, to get to know each other ... so enjoy the ride!

Absolutely sound advice there, and fair play, on point with ear level speakers in your sitting position. It's all about placement as much as anything else.
Anyone looking pointers for stereo equipment, headphones, etc. Just ask, I've always got my ear to the ground on what's about for decent money.