So You’re An Entry Level Audiophile…

At some point in your life, you may find that your interest in music goes beyond simply enjoying the lyrics or bouncing along to the beat from your car radio. When this happens, you might find that you’re craving some tools that can create a better listening experience. To help you fulfill that craving, we’re going to look into five must-haves for the beginner audiophile.

Amplifier

A quality amplifier can help to improve the sound of your music and give it a more authentic feel. Many people prefer the sound of tube amplifiers because they believe these amplifiers are able to create the best possible sound.

Bravo Audio Ocean Mini Valve Class A Tube Headphone Amplifier

This amplifier is designed to offer greater sound quality to your headphones for you to enjoy. It comes in at a decent price and works for many different listening methods. It packs a lot of power into a small package, so you’ll be able to have a better listening experience wherever you go. It’s a class A amplifier that will limit the distortion that comes across in your music so that you can have the best possible experience. It also has a great design that comes off as almost futuristic, adding to the overall cool factor.

Pros

  • Capable of reducing the annoying tinny sound that can sometimes come from lower quality headphones or speakers.
  • Brings more quality to your music for a better listening experience.
  • Allows your music, movies and anything else you might listen to have a more realistic sound, as if you’re right there in the movie or front row at a concert.

Cons

  • Can get quite hot to the touch during use.
  • In some cases, customers have received the item in a non-working condition.

Pre-Amp

A pre-amp can help to improve your listening experience, and can be used with several difference kinds of devices to allow for greater versatility.

Pyle Phono Turntable Preamp

On top of adding to the overall quality of your music, this pre-amp is also designed to work in a low-noise way so that you won’t have to worry about any noise breaking into your listening. It boosts your audio levels that are going to be easier on your music listening equipment. It’s a small, powerful device that is highly budget-friendly, so you won’t have to worry about dishing out a lot of cash to be able to enjoy excellent sounding music.

Pros

  • Simple and easy to use.
  • Powerful.
  • Gives the volume and excellent boost.

Cons

  • Some customers have experiences an odd buzzing sound coming from the device after only a few months.
  • In some cases, customers have started to notice an increase in distortion after a small amount of use.

Headphones

High quality headphones are a must-have for anyone who wants to be able to enjoy excellent sounding music. Headphones with well-made speakers can make all the difference in your listening experience.

Mpow 059 Bluetooth Headphones

These headphones are made not only to offer excellent sound, but also noise-isolating abilities. What that means is that they won’t actively cancel noises, but will create a reduction in any noises that get in. The Mpow headphones are also made to be very comfortable and work with or without a wire, so that you can enjoy listening wherever you want without having to drag around a cord.

Pros

  • Budget-Friendly
  • Offer a long-lasting battery life.
  • Offer a great sound without a troubling cord.

Cons

  • Some customers have had problems with the microphone not working properly.
  • They may not fit perfectly with all head or ear sizes and can get comfortable under some circumstances.

Speaker

Like headphones, a speaker should be one of the first things you look into to improve your listening experience.

OontZ Angle 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

The OontZ is a portable Bluetooth speaker that connects quickly and easily to just about any device. It offers crisp, clear sound that you easily take with you to any room in your house. From this device, you can great music with a reduced amount of distortion in a highly durable product. It’s designed to be splashproof, lightweight and offer great battery life, making it a great choice as far as Bluetooth speakers go.

Pros

  • Excellent sound quality.
  • Comes at a highly affordable price.
  • Durable and well-designed.

Cons

  • In some circumstances, customers have noted that it may stop working after just a few months.
  • Some customers have had problems with the Bluetooth connectivity.

 

Vinyl Player

Many audiophiles adore the authentic sound of a vinyl record, but many record players can be insanely expensive! To get started, it’s a great idea to find something that fits your interests and your budget.

CMC Portable Bluetooth 3 Stereo Speed Turntable

This turntable has a really great look to it that gives it aesthetic appeal and incredible portability. It also supports Bluetooth, which allows it to combine the old but good with the hip and modern. It also comes with speakers built-in so that you can enjoy it just about anywhere. The CMC Turntable also plays multiple record sizes to create the most versatility.

Pros

  • Aesthetically pleasing.
  • Highly portable.
  • Very easy to set up and use.

Cons

  • At times, customers have experienced problems with the Bluetooth connection.
  • Customers have had problems with the volume being too low.

Conclusion

Adding all or even just some of these items into your collection will surely allow you to get the most out of your music by giving you high-quality sound. No matter which way you choose to listen, everything you hear will be a joy rather than a drain on your ears. Make sure to do plenty of research on any products you’re interested in so that you can make sure to get what will best suit you.

 

Now that you’ve got the gear, check out our essential guide to tube amp basics, or learn about the care and maintenance of tube amps.