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Help my analog sound as good as my streaming

Hi all - total newcomer here, really enjoying the forum and looking for some advice.

Relevant details: Pro-ject Debut Carbon EVO w/ stock Sumiko Rainer cartridge, into a Hegel H95 via a Parasound Zphono XRM. It sounds great-ish, but doesn’t blow me away like Qobuz via Bluesound Node 2i into the Hegel DAC. I’ll acknowledge that this entire system has a lot of room to improve in the eyes of many here - while I suppose I’ll eventually want to upgrade, I am absolutely thrilled with the streaming sound for now. 
Question: is the cartridge the weak link here, or am I expecting too much out of the PDC EVO? If the former, does the Ortofon Bronze seem a good option?

Many thanks for any suggestions/thoughts!
coys21
57 responses Add your response
bluemoodriver
193 posts
 
”Learn to recognize and appreciate what your analog rig is doing. Because I assure you, it already sounds leagues better than streaming.”

Miller”trust your ears”carbon has finally lost the plot entirely. 

lemonhaze
415 posts
 
I should have also mentioned that once you have a very good TT and arm then upgrading the cartridge would now make sense and you will be able to hear what different ones bring to the party.

Room acoustics play a very big part and must be considered. Treating the room has a larger effect than most realise. I strongly encourage you to include some treatment, that is if you haven't already. 
Post removed 
audition__audio
1,461 posts
 
I agree but what is the cost of a very good TT/arm and what are the brands that you would consider good? I have $ 15K in my TT and arm and I think I am at a very high, but not extravagant, level. 
invalid
1,180 posts
 
Room acoustics play a very big part and must be considered. Treating the room has a larger effect than most realise. I strongly encourage you to include some treatment, that is if you haven't already.  



It seems to me that you may even need different room treatments for analog and digital. 
dionisofun
30 posts
 
If you can pay for an Ortofon Bronze spend a little more and get an Ortofon Black. It will make all the difference.

What style of music do you listen to? Contemporary recordings may not sound good on vinyl.

As has been said here, most contemporary pressings are mediocre because they are mastered (and poorly mastered) from digital tapes. Thus, you'll be listening to a copy of a CD disguised in vinyl. The result cannot be worse.

Purchase only original labels mastered from analog tapes. Avoid labels like Dol, Doxy and WaxTime. 

Technics 1200GR + Ortofon Black make a wonderful pair. 


lemonhaze
415 posts
 
@invalid, sound waves do not know or care what generated them and will behave according to the volume of the room and the furnishings. The big problem with untreated rooms is the sound takes too long to decay and this jumble of reflections causes smear and congestion and detail is lost. The low frequencies cause even more problems because they are so long and you get peaks and nulls.

So it is a case of fix the room and analogue, digital and even a live performer will all benefit.
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