Just bought a Linn LP12 and it's everything they say it is.

originally posted by Ben Hunting:
A shout-out for the Wyred4Sound mINT (much better-looking in person than it looks online) if you're thinking of going the digital route. They sell direct. Channel D's Pure Music is fantastic, too, with very helpful customer service.

In Living Stereo on Great Jones Street is worth checking out for equipment and sometimes has discounted showroom models.
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For digital i would also look at peachtree. I got the Nova ~5 years ago and still love it. Since then though they have continued expanding the line and introducing higher end components so those who want to pay up to get that last 0.1% of added performance can really go to town. That said, i think the nova ought to be enough for anyone. The old rules about what you have to spend your money on don't necessarily apply to digital setups.
 
Can anyone recommend good headphones at a variety of price points? I'm basically looking for something for my laptop (watching videos and listening to music).

Thanks in advance.
 
I'm a big fan of my Sennheiser HD25-1 II's. These are old school broadcast headphones that actually sound great and are indestructable (for example, they have a steel cable that won't break when it gets yanked on). Not the last word in audio perfection but very good for the price (around $150). Also do a great job at keeping noise out. Sennheisers in general are very good, even cheap ones.

The Grado SR60s and 80s have the reputation for being perhaps the best value for money in all of hi fi. One of these days I'll buy a pair. They are open air though so not the best for listening in environments where there's a lot of noise or where you don't want to bug your neighbor.
 
People also say great things about the new in-ear Bose noise cancelling plugs, but I haven't used them myself. I typically use headphones on planes, so noise cancellation is key to me.
 
originally posted by Yule Kim:
Headphone RecommendationsCan anyone recommend good headphones at a variety of price points? I'm basically looking for something for my laptop (watching videos and listening to music).

Thanks in advance.
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Isn't it the case that the quality of the earphones ( or for that matter, speakers ) shouldn't exceed the quality of the source to a large degree?
I recall plugging in a fancy pair of electrostatic earphones (the brand eludes at the moment) into an old receiver and arriving at the conclusion that I'd be better off with a $50 set from radio shack. Revealed too many imperfections at the source, in other words. It's like pouring some of less than fortunate dry whites from 2009 into a Riedel Sommelier glass.
 
originally posted by .sasha:
originally posted by Yule Kim:
Headphone RecommendationsCan anyone recommend good headphones at a variety of price points? I'm basically looking for something for my laptop (watching videos and listening to music).

Thanks in advance.
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Isn't it the case that the quality of the earphones ( or for that matter, speakers ) shouldn't exceed the quality of the source to a large degree?
I recall plugging in a fancy pair of electrostatic earphones (the brand eludes at the moment) into an old receiver and arriving at the conclusion that I'd be better off with a $50 set from radio shack. Revealed too many imperfections at the source, in other words. It's like pouring some of less than fortunate dry whites from 2009 into a Riedel Sommelier glass.
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This is true. The sound quality coming straight out of a laptop headphone jack sucks. But via a Dragonfly DAC plug in it should sound really good. Personally, I bought a Fiio X3 - sort of a budget audiophile iPod - and it sounds good. And of course, the type of file makes a huge difference. MP3's are awful.
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
People also say great things about the new in-ear Bose noise cancelling plugs, but I haven't used them myself. I typically use headphones on planes, so noise cancellation is key to me.
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Dude, you just went off the ranch.
 
originally posted by Yule Kim:
Headphone RecommendationsCan anyone recommend good headphones at a variety of price points? I'm basically looking for something for my laptop (watching videos and listening to music).

Thanks in advance.
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Grado
 
I still have the first and only turntable i've owned - a Philips 312 purchased in 1977 and still working (alas I no longer have the beautiful Allison Three speakers I paired with it). Not sure what cartridge I have in there. BJ, does the 312 fall below the japanese tables in your hierarchy above?
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
People also say great things about the new in-ear Bose noise cancelling plugs, but I haven't used them myself. I typically use headphones on planes, so noise cancellation is key to me.
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Arnold swears by them. This was perhaps the first post I understood on this thread.
 
originally posted by maureen:
I still have the first and only turntable i've owned - a Philips 312 purchased in 1977 and still working (alas I no longer have the beautiful Allison Three speakers I paired with it). Not sure what cartridge I have in there. BJ, does the 312 fall below the japanese tables in your hierarchy above?
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Hi Maureen,

There is a subset of the lesser suspended Euro tables. I put the Philips and Dual tables there. They sit below the Thorens and Garrards but still are fun and funky. The Thorens is a BMW 2002, the Dual is a VW, and the Philips is a DAF. If they are set up right, they are solid and interesting, though pretty woolly.

I actually have a Philips 212 in my office system that I love. Lots of retro coolness.

Maureen, my recommendation would be to get the Philips to a good turntable shop and have them set it up right. Get a new cartridge for sure - if you're still using the original, it's probably damaging your records. A good bet for that table is the Audio Technica AT95 or 110.
 
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