The reason I say I would go with the Music Hall is that my attorney went through 4 from amazon that came with warped  platters. He then bought a USB-1 and all was fine. So really just about build quality and Quality Control issues. 

If I were to go new, I'd go with a Music Hall USB-1 before the LP120 at that price point. But that price point also opens up some really good higher priced used ones on ebay/craigslist/audiogon. Like Thorens, Dual, Technics, Rega Pro-Ject etc,etc.... I would just shop around if I were you. 

When I took down the posters of girls and beer and replaced them with posters of Wilson Audio Alexandra's and well, beer.    Also, when I was at RMAF and I saw a guy wearing a t-shirt that said "Jeff Rowland is my homeboy" and I understood what it meant. 

Had to google your TT and check it out. Didn't realize it was plastic. Your gonna have to just mess with it and see what you come up with. This cat has some neat videos on the Kenwood if you want to see some internals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRJaDC_scJ8   I've heard both the...

Yeah, if I were you and it was my $$, I'd probably sell the farm and go with a new AT. But, if your budget allows, I would chunk the cheap AT 3600L cartridge that comes with it (I believe that's the one) and go with something like a Shure M97xE. It will sound night and day better. Also, be...

Check the wiring in the tone arm where the head shell/cartridge connects...  Clean the contacts with some isopropyl alcohol; take a small screwdriver (careful) and exercise the contact pin to be sure there is no gunk preventing the pin from popping back into place. If you are using a head...

Not sure about a forum, but with that budget, buy you a Oppo BDP-105 and call it a day. Otherwise, are you talking Redbook, SACD, etc.....?

A little over your budget, but I would look at the Yulong U100.   http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Yulong-U100-D-A-converter-headphone-amplifier.html

If you can increase your budget say a smear, then go for the JoLida JD302BRC. Throw out the cheap junk tubes and get you some nice telefunkens for the pre, and some Mullards for the amp. Would even consider looking and seeing what Grant Fidelity has to offer. Be prepared to have your face melted...

Thanks again guys for the help and replies. After a couple of hours of surfing around and talking to friends, the Beyerdynamics DT 990's seem to be a good jumping off point to get into it. I'll be in Raleigh, NC next week and try to hunt down an audition. Does anyone know if they take well...

Don't have to have portability. These are for home listening only. 

Thanks Davidsh. Another friend recommended those. I'll definitely take a look at them. My dome is not freakishly large, but it's big. 

Thanks Viralcow for the help. Budget is not that important. I'd say sub $300 to start out and get to learn the headphone ropes, but could go up to $1k for mind altering sound. I just moved into a condo and sold my Thiel 3.7's. Believe it or not, I've been into audio for 30 years, but for the...

damn I meant AE2's. my bad

I'm finally looking at my first pair of serious headphones. Been all over the map AT's MT50's, Panasonics, Klipsch, etc....etc.... My problem is that I have a big head. I really want to hate them, I really do, But the Bose OE2's are the most comfortable I've tried on, even though their sound is...