Let's tackle this question using a different analogy! If you go into an art gallery to view paintings the most important piece of equipment you need is a pair of glasses that is correct for your eyes so you can clearly see what the artist draw. Now if you don't like some the colors used in a painting or the details used in that painting do you go and get correction color filters or stronger prescription glasses?....NO!.....the same is true in Audio. Your system is the window looking into the music being played. If that system is accurate then nothing else is needed. You are going to like most of the music played on it but there will be some that you do not like for whatever reason. Trying to adjust everything to your liking sometimes will get you away from what the artist intended. I personally am not a fan of "Phil Spector's" Wall of Sound but I love the music so I just listen to the music or if really annoys me then I don't !!! I am sure some people will disagree.
Equalization for vinyl nirvana
Hi all,
I have a question for the Audiogon and vinyl community: do you think equalization is helpful for getting good results with vinyl playback? I ask because I'm a vinyl newbie. Recently added a nice turntable and phono preamp to my rig and have slowly been collecting the recommended audiophile jazz, blues and rock albums that I like. But with few exceptions, most of the time I'm underwhelmed by the results. Lack of bass and midrange fullness is usually the problem. Sure, I could look for another amplifier, subwoofer, better cables... but I think a simpler, more affordable solution would be to get some Eq in the loop. So I just put an order in for a Schitt Loki+ 4-band equalizer. Figure it's a low-cost way to test the theory.
Do any of you have similar experiences or related wisdom to share?
I'm also curious about the Sunvalley All Purpose Phono Eq that Herb Reichert loves, that has adjustable eq curves (https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-42-sunvalley-audio-sv-eq1616d-phono-equalizer), as well as the Decware ZRock2 eq (https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZROCK.html).
Thanks for your help!
Josh
I have a question for the Audiogon and vinyl community: do you think equalization is helpful for getting good results with vinyl playback? I ask because I'm a vinyl newbie. Recently added a nice turntable and phono preamp to my rig and have slowly been collecting the recommended audiophile jazz, blues and rock albums that I like. But with few exceptions, most of the time I'm underwhelmed by the results. Lack of bass and midrange fullness is usually the problem. Sure, I could look for another amplifier, subwoofer, better cables... but I think a simpler, more affordable solution would be to get some Eq in the loop. So I just put an order in for a Schitt Loki+ 4-band equalizer. Figure it's a low-cost way to test the theory.
Do any of you have similar experiences or related wisdom to share?
I'm also curious about the Sunvalley All Purpose Phono Eq that Herb Reichert loves, that has adjustable eq curves (https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-42-sunvalley-audio-sv-eq1616d-phono-equalizer), as well as the Decware ZRock2 eq (https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZROCK.html).
Thanks for your help!
Josh
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- 45 posts total
Clearthinker, the two devices that the OP says he would consider buying to solve his problem are not classic equalizers. Both afford ways of messing with RIAA equalization. Actually, though I personally wouldn’t go there, either of those devices is preferable to a typical graphic equalizer, all of which s&&k. These days we also have equalization that acts in the digital domain. I’d be interested to hear what that does. Very expensive. |
This is a phono stage with different (optional) RIAA curves. 6 EQ Curves: You can choose one of three standard EQ curves (RIAA, DECCA-LONDON, AMERICAN COLUMBIA), all with optional “Enhanced” function. |
You know Master M has a point.. you can EQ a room mechanically too. IF the dynamics are GONE on one recording and not on the other it pretty obvious that’s a recording issue. If it’s lacking in the vinyl playback ONLY, there is a gear problem. If your music just varies from recording to recording irregardless of the source, AGAIN it’s the recording. SO OP what is it. JUST Vinyl and just some records? or All your records and depending on the source SOME recordings? Back to Brokenwood Mysteries. New episode! Regards |
- 45 posts total