Record Players & Turntables

I have an Audio‑Technica AT‑PL120 Turntable. How can I listen with headphones without plugging into my speakers?

 

Between a turntable and your headphones, you need two things: a phono-pre stage and an amplifier.

Your turntable has a built-in phono pre stage so the quickest way for you to start listening to your vinyl would be to take the phono out into a headphone amp. The PA2V2 is a common entry-level choice, but arguments can be made for a lot of different options.

 

In your opinion, is the amp you listed better or as good as the Fiio below? I've been reading some reviews/recs and that one keeps popping up. I don't want to spend a lot of money but I still want something that will perform well.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RPD7KP8/?tag=absolutepunk-20

 

there are so many things I need to upgrade and my speaker setup is definitely one of them.

I inherited my grandfather's old turntable and I'm currently in the middle of refurbishing it when I go home to visit. I like taking my time and making minor improvements here and there.

 

I honestly don't know much about the Fiio E17K, but I wouldn't recommend it in this case because it appears to be mainly a DAC with a built-in amp. Because your source is already analog you don't need a DAC. If you were talking about playing music from your computer or an Iphone, that would be a different story, but in the interest of value/cost, I would say a dedicated amp is your best bet for this scenario. I think the E12 is a standalone app if you wanted to look at Fiio stuff. Other ones I've heard positive things about:

Objective2
HeadAmp4

 

Does anyone have any experience with dealing with inner groove distortion (when the last tracks on one side of a record sound distorted)? I have an ATLP120 and I've been getting a lot of it. I was thinking of upgrading the needle but I'm hesitant to spend the money without being assured that the upgrade would actually solve the problem (I'm a slightly broke college student haha, my money must be spent wisely).

 

Before spending the money it's probably worth the effort of painstakingly checking your alignment. If that doesn't work, then yea probably stylus. V15 VxMR is a fav, but that's a rough purchase as a student.

 

Anyone else fund the levitating turntable's Kickstarter?

 

No

 

Cheers

 

I'm looking to buy my first record player. I inherited all of my Mom's records just recently, they hold high sentimental value- So I would like to buy a nice one, so I don't have to worry about ruining the records.

I've been looking at the Audio-Technica ATLP120USB for $219.

Any advice would help, thank you.

 

The LP120 is great first record player.

 

Thanks for that @t_papaccio! I've also looked at the Crosley's. I kinda like the vintage suitcase look. Does anyone know how those stack up against the LP120?

 

Crosley's are trash. Odds are if a record player is in non-specialty stores and isn't Audio Technica, it's not good.

 

Looks are deceiving. The more you get into vinyl, the more you'll see people poke fun and talk down on Crosley players. And it is justified. They aren't very good. Of course a lot of them are more affordable, but it is definitely better to spend the few extra bucks to get something that sounds better, and won't damage your records.

I have Technics turntable (different from Audio Technica), and can also highly recommend any of their products. I think the LP120 is definitely the best starter player on the market.

 

Levitating turntable due in August. Haven't figured out whether I'm gonna sell the Pro-Ject or the Marantz.

MAG-LEV Audio - Levitating turntable

 

That's very cool to look at, but I wonder what it would be like to live with practically and how it will compare to similarly priced conventional turntables.

I presume you lose the issues of having to have quiet drive motors and such like, but it's hard to imagine that it's more cost effective to do this. Intrigued to see how it goes as it becomes available.