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Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC with Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge: BASS sounds 'muddy' The Reason?

Hey,

I just picked up a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Turntable and have mixed feelings about the sound quality. The Bass is prominent and not ’tight’ (unlike my cd player) Some tracks sound good and others not so much.

My system consists of a pair of B&W 630’s, an old Denon 50 watt reciever (DRA-550) from the mid 80’s, a Marantz CD5004 cd player.

Also I’m probably going to be in the market for a new preamp/amp with a built in DAC soon. Would that solve the problem? Or do I need to upgrade the cartridge? If so please leave a link!

TIA



klimt
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,574 posts
 
OP sent the table back from whence it came.
klimt OP
164 posts
 
I’m thinking if it was a problem with the Project TT then the muddy bass would be prominent on ALL recordings which is not the case.

The other question I have is whether it’s better to buy a ProJect Debut Carbon DC and significantly upgrade the cartridge ($800 for example) and other tweeks or buy the Technics SL-1210GR (and buy a cheaper cartridge ($200)

Finally, will upgrading the pre amp/amp solve the muddy bass problem.

Again, thanks everyone for your help you’ve been very helpful!

Klimt
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,574 posts
 
You are answering your own question. Get the better table.
BTW, bass varies by record. Just because some sound better than others doesn't mean the fault is not in the table/setup.
wolf_garcia
6,639 posts
 
That table certainly does have a VTA adjustment. Also, I recently bought an Ortofon Quintet Red MC (cheapest of those 4) for my Linn Basik/Akito table and it sounds great. Highly recommended. I'd been using the excellent but underrated Sumiko Pearl MM for years and THAT sounded great also, but wanted to try a MC cart...after some break-in it just sounds fabulous.
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samzx12
1,219 posts
 
Wow lots of GREAT advice here 👍
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