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New user phono question. Comes with free story.

So once upon a time I saved a record player from the trash.  It don’t think it was anything special as those things go, but it was much beloved by me.  It was the first, and until recently, the only “system” I had ever heard that made me understand why people sit and spend hours just listening to music.. And did I ever put in the hours.  I was in school then, and time was a luxury I had.  That little record player spun so much that it eventually started spinning faster and faster until I couldn’t listen to it.  Without the knowhow to repair it, or the money to replace, it went into the trash with the intention to replace it.. Someday... Then came wife, then came kids.

Fast forward 15 years, and it occurred to me one morning that I had the time to listen to music again.  To me the choice of media was obvious.  I had fallen in love with vinyl, and it was time to rekindle the love afair.  That was about two months ago. It all started innocently enough, borrowing dusty components from be basements of friends and family to cobble something together that would reproduce sound. It was okay, but the first attempt didn’t come close to the sound I remembered.  From there I started shopping for better components and things spiraled out of hand rather quickly.

So far, I’ve bought an old Sony PS-X6 turntable with a Sure M95-ED cartridge, a Technics SU-V6 amp, and a set of Vaughn Triode speakers.  I wanted to encourage my kids to use the stereo too, so to make it more convenient, I decided to add a digital source.  That wound up being Amazon music, a Lavaudio blue-tooth adapter, and a Denifrips Ares II.  And this brings me to the problem.
 

The digital source sounds better, as in WAY better.  On digital, listening gives me that first date butterflies feeling every time, and I just want to turn it up, and up some more.  On vinyl there is just less, less of everything.  Now I am at a cross roads.  I have to decide weather to put more money into the vinyl or just abandon a few hundred pounds of records which I have recently discovered are all available in very nice quality digital anyway.  This finally brings me to the question.  Budget is a concern for me and I’m wondering if I have just fluked into some equipment that under-performs on records, or dollar for dollar, is it just harder to get performance from vinyl?  Do you think it would be realistic to get to the performance of the digital side of the system for say, a $1000 investment, or is that just a pipe dream?  I already have an integrated MC phono stage, so maybe I should try another cartridge?

If you’ve read this far. Thanks!

128x128justin572
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

An LP can sound wonderful and come close to a CD/digital file - but no cigar! The inherent problems/limitations of LP playback cannot be eliminated. Speaking from someone who has many LP's.

ghdprentice
7,119 posts
 

OP,

You are doing the right thing with cables and interconnects… wait until you have all the components in your system. Even then, there is a threshold where cables and interconnects begin to make a difference. Audio systems are like scientific instruments… the better they are the more sensitive they are. Get the very best components you can afford. Then get to know the sound intimately and then maybe think about cables and interconnects. Btw, a great trick is 10 gauge 3 wire Home Depot power cord for speaker wire… cut off ends just like you did. This could be a great test later. Compare your current cables with HD 10G cables.

 

Yes also to paraphernalia in vinyl… a good record vacuum cleaner is, well not necessary, but really close to that. A dust brush, instruments to adjust. Stylist cleaner… each you will find violent discussions on line as to which is better. You find what I am talking about… come on in, the water is hot. I learned all this when there was no alternatives. My system is shown under my UserID if you are interested.

justin572's avatar
justin572 OP
10 posts
 

Today I borrowed my brothers Rega RP1 turntable and did a quick A-B-C comparison using the best vinyl I own;  A remastered Japanese pressing of John Lenon and Yoko Ono - Double Fantasy that I bought new.

It didn't take long to figure out that the problem is with my Sony.  The Rega, while tremendously noisy at idle sounds very good.  I think it is every bit as good as digital, though it shines in different ways.  Flipping back and forth between the Rega and digital, in my opinion, was pleasant all around.  Each highlighted the strengths and weakness of the other.

Back on the subject of my old Sony, I noticed that the sound of the needle was barely audible while sitting next to it, while it was easy to hear the Rega from my listening spot, about 10' away.  On the amp, I ran the volume at about 9 o'clock with the Rega, and just past 12 with the Sony.

I think my next step should be to turn up the tracking force, but is there a rule of thumb to determine how to do it safely?

 

 

+

 

justin572's avatar
justin572 OP
10 posts
 

ghdprentice,

I took a look at your system, and it is very impressive. I would love to have a chance to listen to something like that.  Where I live, in New Brunswick Canada, there doesn't seem to be much interest in high-end sound systems.  I think the dog is a particularly nice addition.  I bet it really helps with room reflections, haha.

As to violent discussions about records and record accessories.  YEAH, I noticed eh!  I have been reading quite a bit and so far I have learned that everything is both the best and the worst, makes difference, but can also make or break your system, digital and analog are both the future, and tubes and solid state are also the best/worst thing ever.

I actually almost decided not to make a first post at all because of all the negativity, but I noticed that this forum seems to favor cordial discussion.  I'm very glad I did post, because every single response has been very helpful and encouraging.

blisshifi's avatar
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blisshifi
1,202 posts
 

Increasing the tracking force will not help the output gain of the Shure on your Sony table. Your Shure cartridge is listed at a 4.7mV output, nearly double of the 2.5mV output from a Rega Carbon MM (if that’s what’s on the Rega RP1), so that is very surprising that the gain is lower. It should be a bit louder. But even if tracking force is too light, as long as the sound is coming out, it should be amplified at that output. 

On the other hand, always ensure you have a stylus scale on measure tracking force and always follow the tonearm’s instructions for setup. 

It sounds to me as if the cartridge and/or table are problematic. That said, the RP1 is a very limited beginner table. Should you ever want to invest more in vinyl down the road, the RP1 will be one of the first things you will move from because of the quality of the plinth and lack of adjustability in the tonearm to ensure cartridges are set up optimally. 

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