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Downside to "revealing" system?

Greetings, hope all are well. Since upgrading my rig over the years( ML 11a, REL s812s, VPI Prime Sig. Soundsmith The Voice cart, Pass xp25 phono, and Luxman L509X with Cardas cables and various powercords, plus S/R room treatments which have been unbelievable) many beloved older pressings have revealed themselves to be just about unlistenable. I'm speaking of, for example, 70s Reprise Neil Young, Randy Newman, Joni etc. Pressings are immaculate and cleaned on an Audio Desk cleaner and table is definitely set up properly. Newer " audiophile" pressings sound great. End result is I am listening to more cds since acquiring an Esoteric X01 D-2 which make even old cds sound great. I've always been a vinyl person and have over 4,000 records acquired over 30 years. I am thinking of getting a new cart next year and have heard great things about the Dyna XV-1s. ( input appreciated) Anyway, forgive the long post, I am actually grateful for a diversion from current events, stay well friends!
joeyfed55
baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,434 posts
 
Try the Puffin, wide range of adjustments perfect for tweaking the sound of poorly sounding records. It's the only reason I have one as my second phono preamp.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,255 posts
 
Exactly what sonic attribute makes some of your recordings unlistenable?  But even without knowing your reply, you might want to rethink the Luxman driving the electrostatic.
newbee
4,775 posts
 
Erik, Sorry about your response to my two posts.  Did I step on your toes by merely explaining to your audience something they might want to consider in making a choice of what kind of tone controls might be important to them - not just limit it to bass and treble controls as you have done (for yourself anyway).  Anyway, life is too short.  I've better things to do with my time.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
One of the more impressive results of my system improvement is the way all my records sound much better than ever before. Many that were blah are exciting, and many more that seemed mediocre now sound exceptional. If any are becoming unlistenable, its not because your system is more revealing. Its because its more colored. In other words you're not doing something right. Find it, fix it, and you will see.
erik_squires
16,377 posts
 
Did I step on your toes by merely explaining to your audience something they might want to consider in making a choice of what kind of tone controls might be important to them


No, but the 509x has great tone controls for the OP to try before having to buy anything more.
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