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Please critique my Delphi set up, bass not right

I have just put enough hours on my new phono pre amp to really enjoy my new (to me) Oracle Delphi.
It's great but as I didn't plan all the parts that well I can hear a weak link. For sure my tone arm needs improving, but what else???
My main complaint, if i can call it that, is a the bass response on non classical music. I.E. the new Beatles box set that just came out for example. It's supposed to be a stellar recording. The bass could be tighter for sure, a lot tighter. It's not what i would call sloppy, far from it, just not nearly defined enough for my taste.
So, I have a Goldring 1042 attached to a OEM (Moth) 202 with the one piece Cardas wiring. It runs on a Oracle Delphi MK1. FYI the MK1 has the suspension kit just done with the new aluminum board and new platter spindle bearing and thrust plate. It seems, like its set up right, i.e. tracking angle, bias, weight etc. But as I am new to vinyl I'm not sure if i'm missing something.
I have a Primare 32 phono stage and a Primare 32 preamp, also new.( really really like these by the way, they replaced a Classe pre 47.5) I use the new W4S ST 1000 "D" class amp to power a vintage but perfectly conditioned pair of B&W 801 matrix. The B&W 's are on sound anchor stands in case that was your first thought. (massive bass difference)
My other front end piece is an Oppo 95 disc player. When I play the the Oppo there are two main differences. The gain is much higher and the bass is more controlled.
I have several different cables and wires to connect and have it set up to my taste. I can hear slight differences in tone between them all but nothing to make even a medium differences, in fact I dare say it's 6 of one and half of the other, sorry to offend the big buck spenders with that comment but i have pretty good ears, so i'd rather leave it at that and sort out the Oracle.
FYI the Primare Phono is set to MM for the Goldring 1042 and the input impedance is set to 47 K.

My questions are,,,,why the big gain difference between the Oppo and the Oracle?
Secondly, I read about a couple of outboard crossovers available for the B&W's but the bass thru the Oppo is stellar, really stellar so even though they may help I gotta think maybe the low end tone arm and MM Goldring???? Thats strictly a guess as Vinyl is not my thing. Also as my room is not perfect, it's too small for the B&W's, the Oppo plays the bass quite well while the Oracle does not.
Although in case anyone is wondering I'll take the vinyl hands down any day even with its flaws and inconvenience. I have never been so involved with the music. Midnight has never arrived so soon.
I have tried some SACD's (Jazz at the Pawn Shop Vol 2) thru the Oppo as well but really it's just "more " bad if I can describe CD that way.

I have a good budget for a new tone arm and new cartridge and its been suggested to get the Rega 1000, that would be the top of the budget more or less as after that I'd rather spend the difference say between the SME 5 and the Rage 1000 on new vinyl.
Any and all comments welcome, and thanks very much in advance for your help!!!
cheers
Steve
128x128alberta_steve
brf
1,715 posts
 
The Oracle is a Welterweight not a Heavyweight. Fast, agile, quick, but lacks power and punch.

Before doing any equipment changes, play around with tonearm's VTA and VTF to see if you can achieve a more bass without sacrificing treble extension.
manitunc
795 posts
 
Despite the rumors, Oracles can put out plenty of bass, just not that muddy thumping one note bass many confuse with power. I have used and still use Delphis and the bass is as good as any. Not quite as deep as a Sota Cosmos, but close. I am using an Sme 345 with Lyra Delos now, into a Manley Steelhead and do not miss any bass.

As mentioned on vinylengine, you need to set your gain higher with the internal dip switches. Get a better arm and cartridge also.
alberta_steve's avatar
alberta_steve OP
53 posts
 
Manitunc, and others, thanks for replies.
I have posted a more completed up date on Vinyl engine with some details,
Question Manitunic,?
Do you use the SME 345 on an Oracle? There seems to be quite a few choices
and at the price for each I'm hoping to buy on to last for a while.
I really think I'm going to get the outboard crossovers as the descriptions of previous owners should like what I'm hearing.
Question? why would the Goldring 1042 at 6.5 mv be considered a low output MM?
Going forward should i ever bother with a MM? My phono has all the settings for seemingly every thing.
Cheers
Steve
manitunc
795 posts
 
I use an SME345 on my Oracle Delphi V SE. Match made in heaven. Oracle has a similar SME out now, but it is pricey.
As for the Goldring, 6.5mv is pretty high, even for a MM. Most run around 5mv. If I was going to use a MM, it would be the Ortofon 2m Black, which works well on my Transrotor Fat Bob/Audiomods IV.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
The one thing a lot of older recordings lack is bass. Have you compared CD's to LP's directly; using the same exact recordings? For example, people will use a remastered CD and compare it to an original recording on LP. They both need to be originals or the same remaster, in order to have a fair comparison.
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