2. analog
  3. 1172557822

cartridge, speakers, recording, amp? conjested

I recently bought a ZYX Universe and Salk HT3 speakers
both are very neutral, revealing and tonally accurate
and can be incredible - otherwordly on most music
boths strong points are acoustic music

both are fully broken in - so that's not a factor

jazz is a real treat, folk, windham hill, acoustic rock,(traffic, tull, etc), classical just stunning

the only area I notice an issue is in rock music where things get congested (very dynamic and loud)
then the tonal balance and overall power is deminished
as if things can't keep up
and the bass impact also seems slightly lacking from what I'm familiar with on the recordings (cd version)

(I notice some slight diminishment with cd's I'm familar with (audio aero prima) as well - so the source material (recording and possibly the speakers lack of overemphasis on the midrange may be contributing as well).

I have 4 possible issues

1) one hint it could be the source recording

I've found a few recordings where congested rock sounds stellar
Yes - Close to the Edge and Going for the One (Jap pressings), Tull - SOngs from the Woods, Floyd - Animals
Eno - Before and After Science

so maybe these are recorded right or maybe these are too hot in the mix and hence sound good as congested

Fagen's Morph sounds too bass heavy as if overemphasized

2) table setup - my current Universe on spacearm till new table and arm are setup - I couldn't get the overhang all the way out at max (using Feickert protractor (I'm off a 1/32 short and could be ever so slightly off on zenith angle)
perhaps this is in the range of vta which I haven't figured out totally on a NOTT?

one album - a jap Traffic Barleycorn sounded stellar tracks 1-3 but the inner track sounded muddy in comparison

soon to arrive galibier table and triplanar arm should solve this factor

3) perhaps the higher resolution of the analog and speakers is showing a limitation in my power amp
ARC D200 - 105 watts solid state - although it used to sound dynamic on my old VonScweikerts - but a tad grainy speaker and maybe was overemphasized)

ARC LS% pre and ZYX Artisan phono do not appear to be limiting factors

I was contemplating a MOSCODE 401HR amp as the next upgrade
perhaps the 30 day trial would shed some light

perhaps the speaker / cartridge combo is so revealing it's showing me limitations elsewhere in my system

4) cartridge - is this a limitation of the ZYX?
I know they have incredible channel seperation
do they not overemphasize or hang on to false energy in the mids or is it a limitation of the cartridge design in congested passages
I know I've read a few detractors saying zyx are not strongest on heavier rock material

I'm very satisfied with the sound 95% of the time
but because things are so good over most material I'm perplexed at this apparent short coming

interesed to hear your insights

thanks
Tom
audiotomb

Showing 1 response by flyingred

flyingred
139 posts
 
Audiotomb, don't make any judgements until you get your cart aligned right - 1/32 is significant - diminishing quality at end of sides supports this. And have you tried changing the VTA by dropping the pivot height slightly?

It's possible that the Zyx is showing up the limitation of the Nott Analogue table - I've always found them to be relatively dark and congested. Likewise, better source equipment shows up limitations in recording and mastering techniques (which should be equally evident of cds of the same album).

You are being somewhat unrealistic in expecting magic to happen after dropping one "star" component into your system - if only it were that easy! ;)

The fact that your cds sound good eliminates the amp and speakers as suspects.

It could also be the case that all the extra "air" the Universe is giving you is presenting the impression of a relative lack of bass.

I have always found Zyx carts bass shy - my hunch is that Zyx are most favored by those using SET amps or who don't listen to rock music, who trade bass extension and tightness for openness and clarity in the midrange.

Fagen's Morph is bass heavy IME.
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