Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

Hi all!,

Although I've been taking a break from vinyl for a little to put my money towards other expenses, I think I'm ready to upgrade my shelving. It's getting a little cramped even though I've barely broken 100 records in volume, as I have a tiny little shelf! Any recommendations on some decent shelving units for a couple hundred records? I imagine in the next couple of years that I will have several hundred. Thanks! :)
 
Shaymoose said:
Hi all!,

Although I've been taking a break from vinyl for a little to put my money towards other expenses, I think I'm ready to upgrade my shelving. It's getting a little cramped even though I've barely broken 100 records in volume, as I have a tiny little shelf! Any recommendations on some decent shelving units for a couple hundred records? I imagine in the next couple of years that I will have several hundred. Thanks! :)
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Kallax are the way to go. You can add to it easily, they are sturdy and very affordable.
www.ikea.com

KALLAX Shelf unit, black-brown, 30 3/8x30 3/8" - IKEA

KALLAX Shelf unit, black-brown, 30 3/8x30 3/8". Standing or lying, against the wall or to divide the room – KALLAX series is eager to please and will adapt to your taste, space, budget and needs. Fine tune with drawers, shelves, boxes and inserts.
www.ikea.com www.ikea.com
 
Shaymoose said:
Hi all!,

Although I've been taking a break from vinyl for a little to put my money towards other expenses, I think I'm ready to upgrade my shelving. It's getting a little cramped even though I've barely broken 100 records in volume, as I have a tiny little shelf! Any recommendations on some decent shelving units for a couple hundred records? I imagine in the next couple of years that I will have several hundred. Thanks! :)
Click to expand...
If it is ok to toot my own horn, I make these hanging record crates. If you wanted your records up on the wall like this.

I've been wanting to get them available for sale on my website for a couple years now and just haven't done it, but I think it's time. They are significantly more expensive than the Kalax, which, in all fairness, are great at what they do. I have a 1x4 unit myself.

Mine hold 40-60 records each, install on a french cleat, and can be various wood species. Pictured are Poplar, which would be available natural (no finish) or painted. The unfinished Poplar is the base level and are $175 each.

Just wanted to throw it out there.20210608_165651.jpg20210608_165643.jpg
 
SMeekWoodworks said:
If it is ok to toot my own horn, I make these hanging record crates. If you wanted your records up on the wall like this.

I've been wanting to get them available for sale on my website for a couple years now and just haven't done it, but I think it's time. They are significantly more expensive than the Kalax, which, in all fairness, are great at what they do. I have a 1x4 unit myself.

Mine hold 40-60 records each, install on a french cleat, and can be various wood species. Pictured are Poplar, which would be available natural (no finish) or painted. The unfinished Poplar is the base level and are $175 each.

Just wanted to throw it out there.
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Is there something about them that requires them to hang? Can they go on the floor? Can they be stacked?
 
The Absolute is back and sounding great. It is a new one, but the volume circuit looks a tad different through the plexi glass and feels a bit smoother when rolling. I'm wondering if they tweaked it moving forward. In either case now I'm just waiting on those monoblocks.
 
VMPKJ said:
The Absolute is back and sounding great. It is a new one, but the volume circuit looks a tad different through the plexi glass and feels a bit smoother when rolling. I'm wondering if they tweaked it moving forward. In either case now I'm just waiting on those monoblocks.
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Ummm, Manley monoblocks?
 
My CD player picked a great time to crap out on me. Repairs would cost almost as much as a new player. Most places don't have the model/color i'm most interested in in stock and don't expect to have them for weeks and the other options range so much in prices 😑
 
The Denmarkian Wonder said:
The guy at the local hifi store suggested a Denon DCD-600NE or 800NE if i want a USB outlet. The others have been a Marantz CD6007 or Musical Fidelity M2sCD because it matches my amp lol
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I’d probably go the Marantz or Denon. They make their own CD drives and they’re rated as being excellent quality, especially as you go up the line. A USB input is pretty good on the Marantz/Denon too because apparently their proprietary DAC software is pretty good and you could attach a cheap streamer to it via USB.

That said Musical Fidelity do make nice stuff and it does scratch that aesthetic itch to have everything matching 😂
 
Joe Mac said:
I’d probably go the Marantz or Denon. They make their own CD drives and they’re rated as being excellent quality, especially as you go up the line. A USB input is pretty good on the Marantz/Denon too because apparently their proprietary DAC software is pretty good and you could attach a cheap streamer to it via USB.

That said Musical Fidelity do make nice stuff and it does scratch that aesthetic itch to have everything matching 😂
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*Imagines the MF amp and CD player displayed together*

Be4oiZE.gif
 
My Darlington Labs MM-6 arrived today. I'm in love!
I wish I could easily do a A/B test to really hear the difference, but it just sounds more detailed than the Schiit Mani. I don't have the words to describe it beyond that.

I see lots of reviews saying that it just gets better after a few hours of listening. Can someone explain how that works? I get how a new cartridge breaks in, with the cantilever and all that. But how does a box with sound signals going through sound better over time?
 
SMeekWoodworks said:
My Darlington Labs MM-6 arrived today. I'm in love!
I wish I could easily do a A/B test to really hear the difference, but it just sounds more detailed than the Schiit Mani. I don't have the words to describe it beyond that.

I see lots of reviews saying that it just gets better after a few hours of listening. Can someone explain how that works? I get how a new cartridge breaks in, with the cantilever and all that. But how does a box with sound signals going through sound better over time?
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Because the individual parts go through a “burn in period” from when they are new to final stabilization.
 
HiFi Guy said:
You are going to love them! What are you going to do with the PrimaLuna?
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I'm not sure. Probably recoup some cash on sale. I can't imagine things sounding better than they do as I'm sitting here listening to "I Will Sing You Songs" by My Morning Jacket though. This thing is great with some time.

The thing is even if the Manleys were even exchange on sound, they would fit better. The Prima is literally turned sideways on the shelf right now with wires visible from the front. The Mahi's will fit on the shelves no problem, and hopefully sound better.

I also broke down and tried the 9XI and will be selling a couple Zephyr Star ES with 100 hours on one and 300 hours on the other. I just like the ART's better (if you couldn't comp them one after the other you'd probably never know the difference). The XI is even better than the 9MC. It adds a touch of the air like that on the SS cart, but not quite as much, and the bass is a tad tighter an deeper than the MC - a smidge. The effect is the same profile as the MC with a little more resolution and a tad bigger stage You can also use EZ screws with the XI not the MC's.

It's been a good year and I can do this... but I really have to stop now LOL. Plus I think I'm at the point were significant improvement would start costing 1/3 or half my total set up per piece.

EDIT: I will definately be selling a PS Audio Stellar strata as well, which I have to say held up well. If I hadn't gone full tubes I would recommend it to anyone. The headamp in it is right there with the Magni Heresy and the the wifi/controllable DAC/streamer is pretty great though it's waisted on me. It's a very nice Integrated.
 
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