Returning to audiophilism after 20 years: a little guidance would be nice :-)


Hello all,
I’m Pieter, a dutch intrinsic music lover that has been sucked up by family life for the last 20 years, leaving little time to do what I liked most while I was still unattached. I sold off most of my equipment back then (2002) and haven’t done any serious music listening since.
Now that my kids are around 15 y/o I dug up my nostalgic Thorens TD126mkIII TT just to show them the concept. I never could have dreamed it would suck me right back into the good old days when I was enjoying music on audiophile equipment and being able to hear the soundstage depth, lively pianos and guitars, well, I suppose I don’t need to tell you guys how fulfilling such could be.

What am I looking for here? Well, in twenty years time technology must have progressed (especially digital) so I am looking for some guidance where and how to start over. I’d like to find the approach that suits my situation best.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask "what is the best amplifier for under $5000" kind of questions. But I am interested in the current vinyl vs digital discussion (has digital/streaming earned its place compared to vinyl, does it hold its own) so I can start exploring in a good direction.

Is this the kind of question that fits this community? If so, is this a good subforum?

All I kept when selling my stuff back then are my Thorens TD126mkIII (still in good shape) and Triangle Meridien speakers (French brand). So I’m in the market for a more than decent amplifier, phono preamp and a digital source such as a streamer or CD player. Might go the Tidal route, along with playing records. I still have around a 100 CD's. I just got a MoFi StudioPhono to connect the TT to my low tier receiver amp.

Can’t wait to hear what you might say.

Kind regards to all,
Pieter
pieterkadijk

Showing 4 responses by tomic601

and finally, 2L has a free download bench where you can explore same music in various digital formats and resolution. A real run thru those w competent DAC will provide you with a critical ear , maybe an open mind….
as an aside, the digital reference should not be streaming nor in the rarest of cases a CD. It should be a bit perfect rip or resident file on an isolated audiophile grade server ( for example a NAIM Core a UK product ) w no moving parts. In many cases what we see are so called experts taking a pen knife to a gunfight…..
@whart as is the norm has a balanced more nuanced view of the world. EU builds some great gear in both analog and digital formats and probably leads in reference digital recordings , see 2L The Nordic sound for technical and musical artistry both.  For hints about how far digital has come look to both Brinkman and Aesthetix. Both firms are wayyyyyy into analog yet both offer state of the art and highly involving DACs. Some of us own LP, Digital and high speed tape and can speak with an open mind and ear. 
Enjoy your music, journey and newly rekindled love affair.