Hi,
I am a college student, musician and hardcore vinyl devotee. The house I grew up in has a fantastic analog sound system in our family room and I would love to set up one of comparable quality when I get my own place. I'm totally new to the audiophile world, and I'd just like to know a good place to start. I have a very basic, $300 turntable, which I play with the same yamaha studio-monitor speakers that I use to record with my band, right now. It's a pretty crappy setup, especially for someone who was raised on a daily diet of hi-fi analog glory. I don't have a huge knowledge base as far as the technical terminology, but I'm willing to learn. These are my specific questions:
What is the best turntable you know of in the $5-800 range? Alternatively, where can I find basic directions for modifying the one I have sound better?
This is an incredibly dumb-sounding question, but what exactly is an 'amplifier' in the context of playing recorded music? Obviously I know all about amplifiers for instruments, but what makes something you would use in conjunction with a turntable an amplifier and not a speaker, and why do you need both?
Is it worth the money to get a filter for electrical signals? i.e., would that little bit be better spent on mods for the turntable and speakers?
What kind of speakers can I get for under $3,000 that would boost the sound quality of my records? Specific things I'm looking for are a warm, rich tone color and powerful but crisp and precise bass.
What would I need to switch between mp3, mp4 and Apple Lossless digital file playback from my ipod and computer, and my record player, and have both sound their best?
And now for the truly oddball questions:
I've always been hugely intrigued by the unique audio landscape of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. A book I have on the production of the album says that it was intended to be played in a 'quadrophonic' speaker setup, creating an effect that was as much an experience for the listener's sense of spacial awareness as for their hearing. I was told by a friend who used this setup in his basement that the effect is most noticeable on the track "On the Run", which is experienced as though the sound source is swirling around the listener. Does anyone know where to find an instruction sheet and/or diagram on how to set this up?
I bought an old Edison phonograph in an antiques shop but haven't tried playing anything on it yet. Not audiophile equipment by any stretch of the imagination, I know, but does anyone know where I could find more information on how to set it up and use it? I don't even know if it can play my vinyl records. Once I get it playing, is it an impossible dream to expect it to sound good?
Well, sorry to bother everyone with my severe ignorance and overly long post. All the information I've found thus far seems to be aimed at those who have been doing this for years, and having just started it's a little overwhelming. Hope someone out there can help.
