Even as a young child, I have always been particular with my headphones.  When I still had a Walkman, I never stuck to the earphones that came with it.  A couple of hours listening with it sent me running back to the shop to get proper headphones that did not make music sound like it is coming from a tin can.  I try not to spend too much on it because I like replacing them often or I break them with loud music, whichever comes first.

My latest gear is the TDK ST-PR400.  I got it for 11gbp!  The sound is crisp and loud, if I have iTunes in full volume, I can set it on the table and it can be a set of speakers.  It has been over a year now since I got it and the only problem I have with it is the faux leather on the band that has been completely peeled off.  Apart from that, the sound is still immaculate.  I am still thinking of getting the neat set of Pioneers though.

He started spinning at Turbine Club with Kid Paul.  Their regular act was known as Paul vs Paul.  Van Dyk caught the attention of more established acts in the scene including Cosmic Baby and Mastermind For Success (MFS) Records.  Three years later, he released several EPs.  He became a mainstream name after he did remixes of songs by the likes of New Order under MFS.  He managed to win over the UK audience with Seven Ways.  He eventually became the lead dj at Gatecrasher in Sheffield.  In 1998, he founded his own independent record company aptly called Vandit.  It is home to big acts in his genre (please do not hate me, Paul, for saying ‘your genre’) such as BT, Jon O’Bir, Guissepi Ottaviani and of course, himself.  They also hold parties similar to his humble beginnings called Vandit Nights.  He is a strong anti-drug advocate, and came up with the famous ‘No E, Pure PvD” slogan.

His public convictions does not end there.  He is also anti-war and anti-poverty.  After a trip to Mumbai, he became active in several civic organisations including Amnesty International and UNICEF.  He also utilises his music to convey messages to his audience and to the world.