Weak Link in Vinyl Playback
Hi Everyone,
I’m looking for some input on a weak link in my system, mostly in regards to my vinyl playback chain in a 12’x11’ room.
I currently have a Technics SL-1700 MK1 with an AT-VM95ML cartridge. The turntable is connected to an iFi Zen Phono. The phono is connected to a Schiit Saga S via 3 ft. Blue Jeans BJC LC-1 cable, and the Saga runs to a single Schiit Vidar by the another set of the same cable. The Vidar is connected to Elac Debut B6.2’s via 10 ft. Belden 50000UE cable (as an aside, my digital path is Pro Ject S2 Pre Box Digital connected by the same 3ft. interconnects to the Saga>Vidar>speakers). I’ve connected a sub previously (a Martin Logan Grotto I that I inherited) to the Saga in the past, but am currently running without it.
My concern is that while the digital path sounds full to me, at least as much as can be expected, the vinyl path sounds a bit thin and weak. I guess I’d describe it as kind of lacking energy. My gut tells me the Saga S having 0 gain in both the passive and buffer mode (I run it in passive mode because it sounds more lifelike to me but I’ve used the buffer in the past as well) is the reason for this, but I’m not positive. I’m ready to upgrade to the Freya S if that’s the solution, but I didn’t want to start throwing money at a problem without really narrowing it down first. The Zen phono is set to MM and gain 1, which should be correct for my cartridge, the interconnects aren’t overly long (the speaker cable being 10’ isn’t too big a deal, I think?), the Vidar should be driving my inefficient speakers with no issue and judging by the digital path, it is.
I’m hoping someone here can weigh in on what would make the biggest positive impact in my listening and give me the oomph I think I’m missing. For what it’s worth, I plan on doing some room treatment down the road, but that’s not what I’m looking for advice on at the moment.
Thanks!
Unless you have a substantial vinyl collection (whatever that means to you), I'd spend the money on better speakers and focus on digital. My digital source is roughly 20% of the cost of my analogue source. Both are very good. Far better ROI on the digital side, and access to millions of albums costs $12 a month.
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I think a lot of this has to do with amplification. Your cartridge seems to be putting out 2mv Thats not going to cut it for most line stage pre amplifiers so a Phono pre-amp is needed first, now we can get the mv's up to 2.5 volts so that the pre-amp (volume control) will then take it on to the amp ( when I say amp I mean non-integrated). The Phone pre amp is the Key to great vinyl sound. |
I fully agree with matmiller phono stage is where it is. Sure there are many phono amps BUT the lower cost ones do the job but in your case the job is not being done. Need to think about stepping up your phono preamp and realise that the cost might be the question in hand but with a weak phono stage you will never achieve your desired outcome. I have a Schitt, sure it is good but no comparison to Musical Fidelity - cost high - outcome enormous. It is your system and what you can afford might be the limiting factor. You are on the right track just need to decided the cost of the track. |
On your turntable, do you have a VTA adjustment to adjust the rake angle of your tonearm? If your platter is slightly low and your tonearm is slightly low on the cartridge side, it’ll increase the highs and thin out the low/mid. If you were to raise the platter up, it would increase the low/mid and tame the highs a little. The alternative is finding a thin junk record to boost your effective platter height, and remove it if playing thick 180g albums.
Another trick I’ve found with solid state gear is to leave it on all the time. Things seem to smooth out as they’re left on for several days. Schiit gear especially so. Not sure if you’re already doing this, but it’s worth a try if you haven’t yet.
Now if you’re looking to actually upgrade some gear, look at a tube phono stage and down the line roll some tubes around as you see fit. Something like a Tubes4HiFi PH14 would be an excellent bang for your buck for an affordable tube phono stage ($500 assembled & ready) with a rich, classic sound. I just built a hot-rodded PH16 kit and it’s beyond anything I thought possible. https://www.tubes4hifi.com/PH14.htm https://www.tubes4hifi.com/pre11.htm
When I was upgrading my setup two years ago, I bought a turntable (Schiit Sol) and an overkill nice cartridge (Benz Micro Zebra L) but ran it through a budget Project Tube Box S2 phono stage. When I finally upgraded to my PH16 phono stage this year, I realized the error of my ways in upgrading my cartridge before phono stage. It was like trying to cook a nice steak dinner, but only having a microwave to prepare it. Lol. Anything you plan to upgrade, make sure to focus a few moves in advance. Just my $0.01. -Lloyd |
@mattmiller : the OP is using an iFiZen phono stage into the Schiit line stage. He was using the Schiit in the passive mode (no gain). That way usually results in a lackluster sound. The same applies to the AT MM cartridge. I find MM cartridges with their high coil inductance to lack transient speed and dynamics compared to MC cartridges. I recommend a cartridge change to MC or MI. |
