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question about the "analog sound"

Hi all-I am an analog newbie with a very modest setup; Project DebutI, Grado Platinum cart, Bellari phono preamp. The sound I am getting is very natural, but lacks the fullness, richness, and overall oomph that my digital front end delivers. My question is, am I hearing a representative analog sound, or simply hearing the weaknesses of this setup? Or, do I perhaps have a phono preamp/cartridge mismatch?

Please, no advice to buy a whole new setup, as I don't wish to do that right now. I would, however, make changes such as a new cartridge, if folks thought it might make a difference.

FWIW, the rest of my system is as follows: AES tube preamp, B&K ST-140 amp, GMA europas, HSU subwoofer, Arcam cd-72.

Thanks much for your thoughts!
douglasmkatz
maineiac
649 posts
 
I agree with CPK, the most likely culprit if your system can deliver the goods with a different source is your analog set-up. Some carts are better than others for specific attributes, you have the synergy with the phono amp, and the specific tweaking of the set-up may go a long way in getting to where you want to be. I have found adjusting VTA to yield noticeable changes.
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,381 posts
 
Cartridge needs to be compatible w/the tonearm. The loading of the cartridge and the gain need to be compatible and/or set correctly w/the phono stage. Everything VTA, VTF, azimuth, overhang need to be set correctly. Any one of these or more could be an issue. If you have an experienced friend who can check w/you that would be best. If not, post specifics about each issue, so you can get confirmation that you've got setup right.
I'd say, no it's not vinyl per se. It's well worth the trouble to learn. Read the turntable basics on AA, and the tips on walkeraudio.com, both quite helpful. Cheers,
Spencer
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
How many vinyls have you tried. Not all vinyls are created equal. Some badly recored/mastered ones can sound thin, flat, and un-listenable.
jsd52756's avatar
jsd52756
453 posts
 
I had the same "bland" issue with the Grado Platinum. Changed the cartridge to a Shelter 501, ba-da-bing, problem solved. Non of my equipment is the same as yours though, except for the (old) cartridge. Good luck, John
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I think Vinyl is a bit laid back compared to the "dryness' of digital, which is why many people like it. I am not surprised to see you comment that it lacks the "ooomph" you are used to hearing on digital, which some would call "harsh".

My experience with Vinyl was that you could get "oomph" on 12" 45 RPM singles made for clubs....just as good as digital. However, LP's were just a tad bit polite...I used to buy only Japanese pressings because of these issues. Although Vinyl quality variablility was not as bad as modern pop CD's ...
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