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Returning to audiophilism after 20 years: a little guidance would be nice :-)

Hello all,
I’m Pieter, a dutch intrinsic music lover that has been sucked up by family life for the last 20 years, leaving little time to do what I liked most while I was still unattached. I sold off most of my equipment back then (2002) and haven’t done any serious music listening since.
Now that my kids are around 15 y/o I dug up my nostalgic Thorens TD126mkIII TT just to show them the concept. I never could have dreamed it would suck me right back into the good old days when I was enjoying music on audiophile equipment and being able to hear the soundstage depth, lively pianos and guitars, well, I suppose I don’t need to tell you guys how fulfilling such could be.

What am I looking for here? Well, in twenty years time technology must have progressed (especially digital) so I am looking for some guidance where and how to start over. I’d like to find the approach that suits my situation best.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask "what is the best amplifier for under $5000" kind of questions. But I am interested in the current vinyl vs digital discussion (has digital/streaming earned its place compared to vinyl, does it hold its own) so I can start exploring in a good direction.

Is this the kind of question that fits this community? If so, is this a good subforum?

All I kept when selling my stuff back then are my Thorens TD126mkIII (still in good shape) and Triangle Meridien speakers (French brand). So I’m in the market for a more than decent amplifier, phono preamp and a digital source such as a streamer or CD player. Might go the Tidal route, along with playing records. I still have around a 100 CD's. I just got a MoFi StudioPhono to connect the TT to my low tier receiver amp.

Can’t wait to hear what you might say.

Kind regards to all,
Pieter
pieterkadijk
pieterkadijk OP
4 posts
 
Hello all,

Finished a new listening session today and I’m keeping the MoFi. I totally didn’t expect to be able to separate good vinyl press releases from bad ones, even on my sub par amp.

It is dawning on me though that I probably won’t be investing big in vinyl audio sources anymore, because unlike 20 years ago, it is so easy to explore new music without having to buy records or CS's: we have Apple Music so we can explore most any music we want.

I am keeping the MoFi, if only just for the hell of it, but I will be looking into getting a digital setup that will be able to convince me, even on my current amp / speaker setup. Ideally, it should be able to play Apple Music in reasonable quality so i can listen to new music in a satisfactory manner and then decide if I want to buy that music in a higher quality sound carrier such as a record or a hi res audio file. The challenging part with buying new vinyl is I have no clue how to sniff for a "good recording" vs. average or bad.

Anyway, the good about this approach (I think) is I get to keep my Marantz receiver for now, add a streaming music player that is able to raise the bar of digital to a level above what my speakers can reproduce - even with a more expensive tube amp - and start playing music. Then if this old but new found hobby turns out to last, and a year on I find myself still doing real listening sessions, I will finally replace the Marantz. I am contemplating on spending around €1000-€1500 for the streamer and anywhere between €4000-€8000 for the amp. Obviously I will come here to learn about all of the accessories that can squeeze every drop of quality out of my components.

Best regards,

Pieter


earlflynn's avatar
earlflynn
461 posts
 
Welcome back and there is a lot of great gear out there, no matter your preference in topology or class.

Opinions are well just that. Audition and make a choice for your self. Do not follow the herd. 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,935 posts
 
you are on the way, enjoy !
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Cool story!

   I remember pulling out some of my LPs’ a while back, and some young cousins were over, they said “Wow, Mr Arcticdeth, how big were your CD players?” Gave me a out loud laugh!
   I said they were records, I showed them my cassette collection, my 8-track box, and the 2 rare reel to reel music. 
They were shocked at the reel to reel ones,…..how do you play those, as my Father dumped the nice TEAC, reel to reel back in the mid 80s’ when he had their wedding transferred to vhs, he pitched the reel player.
  By the time I realized what he had, I was “NOOOOOOO”
still have them on reel to reel.
Janice Joplin and the holding company, and a Jimi Hendrix reel to reel 🎵. 
  I still miis the 8track switchover, from 1, 2, 3, and 4
PITB, yes, lots memories w 8 tracks and cassettes, LPs’

records the most pain in the butt, swapping sides, as none of my players ever had auto-return. Manual only. If you pass out, wake up to a runout repeat. 
 Looked at the add on auto return thingy as mentioned to me, price, and so on, easier to just manual the records, don’t pass out as much these days, so the manual think is fine.
    I like it better when the album is done, and I personally put the LP in the rice paper sleeve, then into the jacket with the sealed Mylar Japanese outer bag. 
  
pieterkadijk OP
4 posts
 
Thanks folks! @ Mr Arcticdeth: you didn't show them your Philips Video Laser Player (1980's I think): those were big CD's LOL.
When I told my kid the price of the MoFi StudioPhono (€329 here in NL) she gazed at me and questioned why I would even consider buying that as I already have Apple Music which has already been paid for, that Apple Music has 10s of 1000s of tracks whereas my record collection consists of just 50 pieces, and spending over 300 is outrageous. 
I decided to hold off telling her about the cost of the streamer and amp I am planning to add...
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