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New analog system disappoints, please help

Hi,

I recently decided to get back into analog after a long break. Being on a budget I bought a used system from a local seller. The system consists of a J A Michell Gyro SE with DC motor, SME 309 tonearm and Transfiguration Spirit cart. I also bought a new old stock, factory sealed Plinius Jarrah phono stage. The Gyro, 309 and spirit where all purchased new in 2002 from a L.A. area high-end dealer and set up for the original owner in his home. They have remained there undisturbed and virtually unused since (maybe 15 to 20 hours total use)

After getting it all home I set up the turntable on a carefully leveled rack and tried the bounce test for the suspension. What I got was more like the Jello jiggle than a nice verticle bounce. I followed the instructions I found online for adjusting the suspension (several times) and although not perfect the bounce is much better. I have not touched the tonearm/cart alignment as I know little about this. I left the Jarrah set to factory default high output and adjusted the loading to 100ohms (recomended for the spirit)

After a 24hr burn in for the Jarrah I started to listen to some LP's. The sound is not bad, there is nothing obviously wrong but it sounds slightly recessed, flat and lifeless. I guess I was expecting more even from a relatively modest system like this. It doesn't "blow away" my digital source.

The rest of my system consist of Art Audio VPS DM pre, Art Audio Diavolo amp, Lector CDP-7T-MKIII and Spendor sp100 speakers. Cables are a mix of Nordost Valkyra and Quattro fil.

Any suggestions, incite or setup help would be greatly appreciated.

Emilio
emiliop
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,435 posts
 
First,I would check to see if the system is to your liking by playing a CD. Although CD's may not have the magic that vinyl can have, at least you will get a taste of your system. If you dont have a cd player just borrow one from your dealer. If the sound is good, but that magic is not there, you should tune the system. Experiment with speaker placement. Experiment with anti-resonance gizmos (borrow spikes, cones, pucks, etc. - I like the Gingko products). Ask your dealer for a couple of power cords - you will be amazed how these can help. Dont try to get the balance right with this stuff..you are trying to find the magic. I try to stay with neutral sounding wires...I'm using the very inexpensive Anti-Cables after trying out many brands. Nordost can sound a bit bright under certain situations..but thats a different issue. I discovered magic in my system with the right combination of anti resonance gizmos and proper power cords. After you get the CD's to your liking, then work on the turntable.
pbb
1,140 posts
 
Expectations are a bummer aren't they? I wish people would stop with "blowing away" language. The differences between good quality well-functioning components and the differences between good or great analog vs. good or great digital are more subtle than what the press and audiophiles would want you to believe: they are differences of degree, not of kind.

You may be able to tweak your analog front-end and it may sound better, but if you are looking for Nirvana you will always end being disappointed. I suggest you spin more records and you may be struck at how they vary in recording quality. Or in those qualities that are of utmost importance to you.

Remember, it's only a darn record player!
piedpiper
753 posts
 
Sounds like the cartridge isn't even broken in yet. Also, when you say you burned in the Jarra for 24 hours, do you mean you just left it on or did you play 40 records through it. Aside from the above advice to double check set up which is a given, it should change significantly with break in. Even within a given listening session, the second record will sound better than the first because of warm up of electronics and speaker and cartridge suspensions.
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knownothing
1,571 posts
 
Assuming the phono preamp is set properly, I would check the cartridge alignment first. Slight tweaks in this area can result in huge benefits to or reductions in sound quality. Difference between "well, sound is coming out" and "WOW!" If you are not up to adjusting this yourself, you might want to take the table to a respected analog geek in your area for a look see.

Idea that the system is not fully broken in yet is also a possibility. A set up like the one you describe should sound different from your digital source and in some ways much better.
patrickamory
193 posts
 
In general good responses so far. Cartridge loading is a relatively subtle matter and while it's important to get it right, it's not going to make the huge difference you're looking for.

I'd carefully look at your VTF - is it correct? I would err on the high side - and look at the phono pre, as people suggest. And wait for cartridge break-in (could be as high as 100 hours - I'm not familiar with the Transfigurations).

It's true that the 'blowing away' language is overblown, but you should be able to hear an improvement in warmth, musical involvement and palpability over your digital setup. I suspect either VTF, a cartridge/phono pre mismatch, cartridge break-in, or all three.
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