Cartridge upgrade, something warmer


I love my Dynavector 20XL on a Rega P5 but its a little thin at times. Lots detail and depth but cool. This is matched with a Dynavector P75 all Arcam FJM electronics. Benz Glider, Ortofon Bronze or ????
Maybe I should try a phono preamp first. All suggestions welcome
fourgirls

Showing 1 response by dougdeacon

It's not the cartridge.

Elizabeth's guidance is definitely the first thing to try. Then adjustments to your arm/cart setup. Then cheaper tweaks like TT mats (felt is horrible, though slippage wouln't usually result in thinness), clamps, etc. All as advised above.

That said, some Arcam gear can be thin sounding (owned their top CDP, sold it) and all SS gear can except at very high levels. Even there it is when compared to comparably priced tube gear. That's a path worth exploring but I'd do the cheaper stuff first. Everthing you learn will train your ears and inform your decision-making ability when it comes to costlier upgrades. You'll make fewer mis-steps.

Again, it's not the cartridge. A Grado would provide lots of artificial warmth, but Grados on Rega rigs have a long history of annoying their owners. If you must experiment with warm sounding carts I'd try some MM's. Not much money and Raul and the MM crowd could advise on suitable choices.