Headphones to listen to a turntable

[SeattleMan]

Hello all,

I recently saw a message from a forum member after a question I had about listening to music in a small room. It was about a using headphones instead of getting an amp and speakers.

I have just purchased a turntable and I am thinking of what else I need. The turntable does not have an amp (it is a vintage Kenwood KD-1033.

I am between going the traditional amp/speaker or headphones.

What would you guys recommend? I am really thinking of exploring the headphones route.

 

[Condorsat]

Do you listen mostly alone or with other people? Start from there.

I own a dedicated Vinyl Headphone rig and a traditional mains speaker rig. Each one is a different Vinyl experience and I enjoy both. Starting from scratch .. I could easily optimize either one to make a very enjoyable Vinyl playback system.

In theory .. it's less expensive to pursue the headphone route and you can eliminate the room acoustics equation out of the mix (a speaker plays the room). Also easier to change the sound of a headphone rig by selecting another can (I own many).

 

[SeattleMan]

Thanks! Can you recommend a started headphones rig perhaps?

 

[Condorsat]

Thanks! Can you recommend a started headphones rig perhaps?

You'll have to discover "your" sound ... but this is one I would recommend.

Schiit Audio Asgard 2 (B Stock Closeout)

Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee at Drop (formally Massdrop)

Note: You'll need a phono pre for line input (standard RCA) unless a TT comes with a built in one.

 

[SeattleMan]

Thanks! My TT does not have a built in phono pre. Any recommendations perhaps on the phono pre?

 

[Condorsat]

Thanks! My TT does not have a built in phono pre. Any recommendations perhaps on the phono pre?

There's a lot of those in all budget ranges .. I started out with a very basic one .. ART DJPREII Phono Preamplifier. You can start doing some research on Amazon (read customer reviews).