2. analog
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Vinyl sounds a bit thin and slightly strident.

The analog side of my system looks like this:
Benz Micro Ebony H Cartridge(Broken in). VTF around 1.9g.
No Headshell weight.
VPI Scout/JMW-9 Signature Arm(Wired w/Nordost Valhalla)
Cardas Neutral Ref Phono Balanced.
Audio Research PH-2 Balanced Phono Pre
Cardas Neutral Reference IC's
Audio Research LS-7 Preamp w/Electro-Harmonix Tubes from ARC
Cardas Hexlink 5C
Mark Levinson No.331
Purist Audio Design Aqueous Bi-wire
B&W Nautilus 803S
I recently purchased a used Sony 9000ES SACD player and noticed I could listen for extended periods of time and I just kept wanting to play music because it is a great sounding player and very engaging and realized that I'm having a hard time getting as involved with my vinyl rig and I've concluded that the big contributing factors are a lack of bass weight, mid-bass bloom and the top end is a bit strident.
Has anyone else had a problem such as this? And what device(s) should I tweak or change in order to alleviate these sonic characteristics? I suspect my overhang may be off and a contributing factor due to just using the stock VPI protractor. I want to get a Wally Tractor soon.
Any thoughts?
n803nut
steveaudio
331 posts
 
I don't want to get killed for saying this, but if you're playing SACD's on a sony 9000ES, & you liked the sound of your vinyl rig before, it could be just that the sound of SACD is spoiling you? (9000ES owner & L-T vinyl hobbyist).

The one component you have That I'd replace are the Cardas Hexlink 5C's. I had them too--probably the worst sounding cables I ever had (avoid cheap cardas; but their really expensive stuff is great).

sns
3,263 posts
 
I complained about a lack of dynamics with my Scoutmaster/Dynavector setup some time ago. I've done numerous isolation mods, setup with MintLp (get this vs. the Wally), this has helped, but still not as involving as my digital setup. Im my case I've concluded my analog setup is just not as resolving as the digital, gonna take a better cartridge, perhaps better phono stage to get where I want to go. You many find some tweaks get you where you want to be, (try Cardas Golden Ref vs. the Neutral ref, improve table isolation, MintLp protractor, NOS tubes in Audio Research)on the other hand, you may be in the same boat as I.

You should also mention which lps are causing problems, many lps are poorly recorded.
chashmal
605 posts
 
I concur that you should adjust the loading first, then go on to the other ideas. I bet that's it. Or maybe you just like the digital sound more. Could be. Some folks go that way.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I just did a major tweaking of my TNT Jr. as my cd was bettering my vinyl. Got the Cardas golden reference, new cleaning fluids & brushes, reset the phonostage loading, capacitance & gain, got a digital tracking scale to zero in VTF; spent hours on VTA but found the biggest thing was perfectly leveling the player. The VPI arms really need a perfect level. My TNT Jr. now blows away my Esoteric X03 SE.
jj2468
280 posts
 
I own a Sony 9000es SACD and I've heard many VPI Scout combinations.

The problem lies elsewhere than the Scout, which is capable of much more musical output than the Sony 9000es. 1) Examine your cartridge and tonearm setup. 2) The Benz leans toward the warm side of the scale. You may want to try a denon 103, but I don't think the cartridge is the source of your complaint for the most part. 3) Eliminate those Cardas cables, all of which are veiled. Many folks use those cables to tame strident gear. The golden reference is good, but so is the Speltz anti-cable for a lot less dough. Sell the cardas, buy Speltz, Zu or make your own cables (see Parts Connexion) and buy vinyl with the difference. 4) IMHO the Audio Research gear leans toward the strident side. I've not heard the Levinson, but I prefer tubes, so that tells you my bias.

In any event, the VPI should sound significantly better than the Sony. Good luck, Jeff
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