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Need a little help, New to Vinyl

Hello all, I don't want to be a bother but I am not exactly sure if I know what I am doing in regards to setting up my first turntable. I have been doing my best to research this on the Internet and I think I know what I need but I am not sure. First of all, I want to set up my turntable for headphone listening. A good speaker system is too far out of my price range so the next best thing would be an excellent pair of headphones. I am considering the AKG 701's. I just purchased a used Music Hall MMF-5 turntable and I am not sure how to connect the headphones to it. From what I have found it appears I need a Phono Preamp, a headphone amp, and the necessary wiring, correct? Also, any suggestions on brands and such would be great. I know the headphone amp will be $200 and I can't really afford anything more then $200 for the Preamp. Thank you for your help.
vinyln00b
oregon
608 posts
 
Viridian-
That's all you had to say!
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Mike, of course not. I think that the AKGs unbalance the system and are probably not a good match with the Bellari. They are too revealing for this level of gear and very demanding a load for the driving amp. Get one of the more modest Sennheiser models, not the 580, 600, or 650, or even one of the more modest Grados. Great headphone recommendations for this level of gear can be found at www.head-fi.org, the place for all things headphonish. Even a $100.00 pair of headphones is as reveling as a $1000.00 pair of speakers (note, I did not say "better", "more impactful", "draws you into the music better", etc.). For many great interconnect recommendations do a search of the forums on this site, but remember, for use as a phono cable, you usually want a short cable with very low capacitance. Happy hunting.
oregon
608 posts
 
Vinyln00b,
I would not hesitate to seek out Viridians recommendations. He knows his stuff like few others.
grimace
624 posts
 
Maybe consider an integrated amp - even a cheap one, and just use it for the head phones. Then if you do eventually get speakers you've already got something to drive them.
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