Best turntable set-up for under $1000

While anything would be a step up from playing CDs out of my TV's speakers, I must say I am pretty pleased with my new set up.

Speakers: Paradigm Mini Monitors $385

Receiver: Denon Stereo DRA-397 $360

Turntable: Rega - P1 w/Ortofon OM5e Cartridge $395

Pre-Amp: Cambridge azur 640P $179

Yes, I know... this is over $1000, but really, who can stay on budget these days? Aren't price limits more of a suggestion and made to be broken? I was pretty close before the pre-amp, which I bought a little later, but it was a very necessary addition. Really the pre-amp is what set apart the vinyl/turntable from a good sounding CD. As soon as we hooked it up the Radiohead we were using as a test record really popped. It was cleaner and everything just stood out so much better.

I cant justify the cost right now, but all will be complete once I get one of these sexy color felt mats for my Rega.

Comments

Are now allowed.

Smart enough for Pitchfork

So I was killing a few minutes at work with some internetting, when I can across a column on Pitchfork, Silent Party #5. Having only... a few minutes... I attempted to make it a quick read/skim. I think whatever Eric Harvey had to say was pretty interesting... but I am not sure because I didn't really understand most of it. Seriously, I felt like I needed to print it out and go at it with a highlighter. Who has time for that kind of leisure reading on a music blog? Half the time I get to the end of an album review on that site, I am not sure whether or not the reviewer actually liked the album or not. But honestly, I rarely ever get to the end of one of their reviews. Is it bad writing? Is it not meant to easy reading (they want us to take time and really think about all of the points they are making)? Or am I just not smart enough?

Trust me I am smart:

1. I am a scientist
2. I am good at searching the internet
3. I recycle
4. I understand sarcasm (>75% of the time)
5. I dont accept candy from strangers unless it is individually wrapped
6. I took Latin in high school
7. I play classical music
8. I am in 2 book clubs
9. I know that I should back up my files (I will do it soon)
10. I wear glasses

Really though, the column was entertaining and some good points were made. I think I am just bad at reading.

11/14 M83 and School of Seven Bells drawings

I really like their one song... but maybe they should have played some of their other songs too. Really though, I like their sound... but (based just on the live show) this band seems a little like a one trick pony.
Good show. Played a good variety of songs, and they sounds great live. I really like how M83's style is evolving. They don't really engage the audience at all, but it is still entertaining to watch.

show wristbands

Me: What do you call this? A wristband?
J: (laughs and holds up her beer) What do you call this? A cup?

The conversation was sparked by some awfully sturdy wrist bands we had been given upon entering tonights M83 show.

J, who has very small wrists, noted how much she appreciated that the bouncer had taken the time to properly fit her wrist band. While I appreciated that he had taken then time to line up the sticky part with the rest of the wristband.

Me: I just hate it when the sticky part hangs over and keeps grabbing your wrist when they don't do it right.
J: Yeah! Its like they are just saying "I hate my job. And I hate your wrist."

We then went on to discuss wristbands as opposed to hand stamps. While we both agreed that we would rather avoid having our hand stamped, I played the devils advocate.

Me: But the hand stamps are a great way of letting all of your co-workers know how cool you are.
J: My co-workers already know how cool I am. Besides, its also a great way of letting your co-workers know how well you wash your hands.

Hipster Boys - One

This is going to be a series.

Overheard coming off the subway:

Hipster Boy 1: We only made like $10 from that last show. I can’t even afford to go out on dates anymore. You just go out and blow all your money on a girl in one night.

Hipster Boy 2: And there is no guarantee you’ll even get laid.

Hipster Boy 1: Yeah.

Hipster Boy 2: It sounds like its time for you to start recycling ex-girlfriends.

11/9 - Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band drawing

I'm not as into the new album as Conor's Bright Eyes stuff, but I still had a great time at the show. Conor and whoever he is playing with always put on a great show and this was no exception. The Mystic Valley Band was super and Conor's voice sounded especially good. Better than last time I saw him (as Bright Eyes). Honestly, he could sing the ABCs and I would swoon.

Names inspired by Teen Girl Squad.

Drawings...Cartoons...Doodles

Whatever you want to call them. They were pretty popular. So, I guess thats gonna be one of my new things. I will draw one for all the shows I go to. It doesnt really make sense to spend my time taking pictures at a show anyways. I mean... unless its some great photography, or there was something really cool that happened, who really wants to see picutes of a music show?

11/7 KnyfeHyts/TimesNewViking/Deerhunter drawings

I went to see Deerhunter with Knyfe Hyts and Times New Viking at the Music Hall of Williamsburg last night. I decided instead of taking pictures, I would do some interpretive drawings. It was quite a good brain exercise this morning, trying to remember the details. I went in the order of the show... so by the time I got to Deerhunter, I was getting kind of tired of doing the drawings. If you want me to draw a band, email me at beatsdontfailmenow@gmail.com These guys songs were pretty repetitive. But, there was definitely a hypnotic quality to the music. By the end of each song, I was pretty into it. It really gets you moving. I think it would be good walking around the city music.
I had seen these guys before at Siren. I like them. I have always been a fan of the guy/girl singing/screaming the same note sound. Same idea as late 90's Rainer Maria. Not as good though... (it would be hard to be).

Deerhunter were freaking awesome. I was actually really impressed with how good their live so is. They were really tight and just sounded great. Bradford's voice sounded SO GOOD. These guys are actually from Atlanta. I actually heard them for the first time off a CDR like ... 4 or 5 years ago, but its the first time I ever saw them live. I met Moses (drums) once when he was living with a couple of my friends... I think he had Salmonella... or something like that. Anyways, I cant wait for Microcastle to come out on vinyl.

Nobody could be dissapointed

Clues did not play (Exit Art election party). But really, even the biggest fanboys (Jamie) couldn't be too disappointed after such an exciting night. Basically, they didn't start the bands until too late, and by the time they got going all of the exciting news started coming in, including the McCain and Obama speeches. Obviously the crowd was more concerned with hearing the speeches than the bands... so music stopped. By the time Barack was done speaking it was like... 12:30 ? Anyways, everyone was leaving, and it was clear that Clues was not going on. Jamie, who had been looking for Alden Penner all night, suspected that band actually wasn't even there. Regardless, the first two bands, Ava Luna and Elfin Saddle, were actually pretty good. I would like to check them out again when they are more the focus of attention.

Election Night Party - with Clues

I am going.

ELECTION PARTY!

November 4th 7pm-Midnight

Exit Art
475 Tenth Ave
New York, NY 10018

I am not sure how much of a good time I will be able to have because I will probably be sweating bullets over election results. But some good music should be a nice distraction from watching the states turn colors on the TV.
I dont really know any of the bands, except for that Alden Penner, from the Unicorns, is in Clues. My friend who is obsessed with the Unicorns told me about the event.

Go vote!

BSST Halloween!!!

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. Went to the Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears Halloween party for the second time this year (3rd annual). This year: Bryan Scary's Glitter Odyssey.
BSST always put on a GREAT show. And seeing as how theme costumes are one of their signatures, they are a very fitting group to put on a Halloween party. Really, costumes are the main reason I chose to repeat last years Halloween choice. The audience members always have a good variety of creative homemade costumes. I tend to prefer costumes a bit on the geeky side... this year I was Rorschach from Watchmen. It was fun because people that recognized it tended to get pretty excited. This time next year, after the movie comes out, I think there will be a lot more people with this costume.