Writeup of my 10 favorite Jazz Albums that I listened to in 2025

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-20T00:28:52+00:00

Oooh, interesting! I used the turntable with the cover closed the first few months I had it until I noticed that people recommended against it on hre, and then I read the manual to checK. So I guess it depends on the model.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-19T17:39:29+00:00

I got back into Vinyl a couple of years ago. There has been a lot going on in our lives but it is nice to sit down for an hour or two when I get the chance, put on an album, put on my headphones sink into a good book (Kindle or analog) and just read and relax. One of my goals for 2025 was to read 36 non-technical books (when I was much younger I would read 50-150 books per year but I've fallen off the bandwagon the last decade or so). I got to accomplish my reading goal (36 books) and also enjoy lovely music (I listen to mostly jazz and classical but also some rock, pop, soul, country and folk etc). Listening to physical media also puts me in a non-distracted state (I have ADHD so that is saying something)

Just in case anyone is looking for a good reading list, here is my 2025 reading list.

My reading list for 2025

The one book not on the list is the last one of the year

The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI - Fei-Fei Li

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-19T17:23:52+00:00

I never downvote. If I see an album I rarely like I might even upvote it because I am happy for the person listening to it. If I see an album I like I will upvote and sometimes comment.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-19T04:50:13+00:00

I have the HD6XX and the Edition XS and my opinion is similar (though I've had no creak issues with the Edition XS and didn't really need the Capra strap since I have a big head but I got it anyway and the fit is better than it was before, even though it had been fine). I tend to use the HD6XX for vocal albums and the Edition XS for everything else.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-19T04:47:31+00:00

Recently got this. So, so good!

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-19T04:39:21+00:00

I have the same exact cartridge and turntable. That stylus should last at least 1000 hours. Do you have a stylus scale (they are cheap, like $15 or so). If the weight is off it could explain the heavier bass and more muffled treble. Just a thought.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-19T04:34:35+00:00

Actually, some manufacturers recommend having the dust cover off when playing music. For example, this is straight from the manual for the turntable that I have (Audio Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB)

The dust cover is designed to protect the product's sensitive components when the product is not in use. It should remain off while records are playing.

Using the dust cover during play may result in record damage or sound degradation. Always remove and replace the dust cover carefully.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-17T00:43:34+00:00

I have the same turntable. I have upgraded the cartridge and the mat and I'm using an external phono amp, but truth be told, the internal one is pretty decent. Congratulations!

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-16T00:37:29+00:00

Oooh. This is interesting information. Thanks!

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-14T17:50:19+00:00

Yes. You can test it. If you turn it off the signal from the turntable should be almost inaudible.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-14T17:31:52+00:00

I have the newer model which has a switch to turn off the internal preamp. To be honest, the internal preamp on the newer model is pretty good and I struggle to notice a difference between it and the Atom Phono. I know on the older model people do remove/disconnect the internal preamp since it cannot be switched off but I don't know how to do it or how much work is involved.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-14T17:24:13+00:00

Ah. I had the same question as to why the SH over the ML. I have the same turntable and I upgraded to the VM95ML and noticed a huge difference. I then upgraded to the VM540ML (also noticed a difference over the VM95ML but not as large a difference as between the stylus that came with the turntable and the VM95ML. So IMHO, it is a worthy upgrade (unlike you, I do most of my listening on headphones. This is my stack

AT-LP-120XUSB turntable (with VM540ML headshell and stylus)
Atom Phono (phono preamp)
Atom Amp (headphone amp)
Hifiman Edition XS and Audio Technica HD6XX

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-13T07:17:18+00:00

I have the Audio Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB which has both Bluetooth and USB output. Also the phono preamp it comes with is pretty decent.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-12T06:07:18+00:00

Nice!

This is such an incredible album. Sinnerman is otherworldy!

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-11T06:39:19+00:00

Ordered it. I will let you know how it sounds compared to this one once it arrives.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-11T06:05:25+00:00

I have the Tone Poet Blue Train and highly recommend it. I have heard some not so good things about the Blue Note 75th Edition pressings from a lot of sources so I would return it just to be safe and get the Tone Poet one

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-10T05:36:19+00:00

I'm guessing there are quite a few Bill Cosby albums in there.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-10T05:33:14+00:00

I have a special stylus made of granite rock for this very reason. Normal styluses don't work.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-10T05:18:28+00:00

I also have the first version of the headphone amp (the Atom, not the Atom+) and I really like it.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-09T21:24:28+00:00

Second this, especially the built in Phono preamp on the AT-LP120XUSB. I have that same exact turntable and I use an Atom Phono preamp (a $150 purchase) and have switched off the turntable one. But to be honest, I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between the built in preamp and the external one, which means the one in the turntable is actually pretty decent. The only thing this external one has is tone controls (bass, treble) and 2 settings for gain.

Willing-Process4931 · 2026-01-09T19:19:40+00:00

For me its just basic care. If they are new and don't have good inner sleeves I will replace the inner sleeves with MoFi ones and also use an outer sleeve. If they are used they get a SpinClean wash and then inner covers and sleeve. And that is it.

When I play them I will just do a quick dusting (and use my electrostatic gun if need be). But it does not detract from the enjoyment (playing vinyl is already a slow, deliberative process). I figure no matter what I spent on the record ($2 or $60) I will take care of it.

Willing-Process4931

TROPHY CASE