Heya!

[Packgrog]

Technics user, Philly area. Been browsing these forums for info on improving my setup. Now looking for further improvements that require more interaction and questions that don't seem to have yet been answered. Cheers!

[The Grand Wazoo]

Hi Aaron,
Welcome to AoS.
Why don't you tell us what gear you have in your system? And what sort of music do you like?

[Packgrog]

For analog gear (I record my vinyl to digital for regular listening), I have the following:

Technics SL-1200MK2
Stock tonearm with KAB TD-1200 Fluid Damper
Sumiko HS12 headshell
Denon DL-110 at 1.7 grams VTF
Funk Firm Achromat 1200
Musical Surroundings Phonomena II loaded at 50k Ohms, 40db gain
T.C. Electronic Desktop Konnekt 6 bus-powered Firewire audio interface
Rega Wall Bracket, holding the Technics with 4 Sorbothane domes

For record cleaning, I have the following:
Audio Intelligent Super Cleaner trio, with separate MoFi Brushes
KAB EV-1 Record Cleaning Machine
Titebond II Wood Glue
Audioquest Anti-Static Brush
Milty Zerostat 3

I've also tried and ditched the Trans-Fi Reso-Mat, the Music Hall Cork Mat, the Rek-O-Kut DSC-1 Record Clamp/weight, a Rega P2 with RB251 tonearm (which I occasionally regret selling purely because of the tonearm), a Stanton D680EL with original stylus as well as a Jico D6800 EEE (supposedly) replacement stylus, and it all started with a lowly Pioneer PL-200 which I still have. Heh.

For regular listening I have an iBasso D1 portable DAC/headphone amp with upgraded opamps that I just retired and replaced with an iBasso D7 24/192 USB DAC/headphone amp that I'm still burning in. I also used a Ray Samuels Tomahawk for a while, an iRiver H120 (which I still own, but outgrew with my increased reliance on hi-res vinyl recordings), a Monica 2 DAC that I miss dearly, and a Monica 3 DAC that I don't really miss. For listening on the go, I primarily use my iPhone 4S, usually loaded up with 24/48 versions of my vinyl recordings.

Clearly, the bulk of my listening is with headphones. I primarily use a set of Denon AH-D2000 with J$ replacement earpads. I've also used the Future Sonics Atrio m5, but one side of those is shorting out, so I use the Atrio X at the gym now. Prior to this I had the Future Sonics EM3 (same sound as the Atrio X but way more ugly) and the Beyerdynamics DT250-80.

I've only been seriously experimenting with vinyl for about a year now. I perpetually feel like I'm *THIS CLOSE* to being satisfied with the sound. I'm still not quite there yet, and I'm hoping I can find a little bit of help around here! :)

As far as musical preference, I'm pretty openminded, but primarily gravitate to progressive rock and metal. Rush, Yes, Opeth, Peter Gabriel, and similar artists seem to be my primary vinyl focus.