There is a greater sense of space between instruments with digital and a more clearly defined presentation. A reversal of what it was prior to my upgrading my digital gear.
Does a turntable make a DRAMATIC difference?
I purchased some analog gear in the hopes of making my analog side (a Sutherland 20 20 phono preamplifier and a Hana ML cartridge) at least the equal of my digital side. Although it has markedly improved the sound of my records it has not equaled the SQ of my digital sources. I know my turntable ( a heavily modified Rega RP3 with two power supplies and many other internal tweaks) is the weakest link. My question is, will a new improved turntable make a MAJOR difference, or just incrementally improve the sound. Or do I have to spend major bucks to achieve what I want.
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Whenever vinyl is discussed, the importance of VTA and VtF are discussed, but not the #1 issue - effective length and mass. Tracing error is 100% a function of arm length. Shibata and Microline styli with their very thin stylus profile simply cannot perform, optimally on a shorter tonearm like a Rega. The geometry prevents it. For those arms, stick with a more forgiving elliptical or even conical (Denon DL103). If you want to use a Shibata or Microline stylus, the the tonearm needs to be at least 10+ inches. My VPI JMW 10.5 is a marvelous match with a Hana SH both in lower tracing error and arm mass. I have not heard the Hana sound as good when used with shorter or lower mass arms. Conversely, the higher mass of a 12" transcription tonearm requires a low compliance moving coil cartridge to get the resonance in an acceptable 8-10 Hz range. Back in the day the ADC XLM was the epitome of a high compliance cart, and would not match well with the very popular SME III arm. But, in the pencil-thin ultra low-mass Grace 707, it could be great. Once you get those fundamentals under control, then tweaking VTA, stylus rake, and azimuth can be set properly. Long answer but yes, you can make big improvements in your turntable, but only if you approach it as a whole system. |
@newbee …”ghprentice, I suspect I might, just might mind you, be much more anal than you when it comes to vinyl.”
😊👍… I think everyone is!… what is the opposite of anal? That is me. |
Yes. Without starting a direct drive vs belt drive debate, just the facts as I have witnessed in my system and during demos. Started return to serious vinyl about 8 years ago, bought a very good high mass belt drive table and low output mc cartridge. Sounded very good but it was occasionally disappointing. Sound could be dull, thick and an occasional note waver. Did full on research, dealer and audio show visits. Wanted more dynamics and energy in the sound. Tried the low mass belt drive highly regarded table and was severely disappointed. Soft sound, good dynamics but occasional speed waver. About that time the new Technics 1200 were released. Read about the high energy sound that breathes life into tired vinyl. Tested the 1200 G and GR, bought the GR on the spot. Fast forward to my vinyl destination system, 1200 GR, Lyra Delos cartridge and Sutherland 20 20 phono stage. The speed, energy, dynamics, detail and stability of my best digital sources with the smoothness of vinyl. Dramatic improvement. Cartridge is very important too. For the past several years I do not even think about speed wavering, low energy vinyl. I just enjoy the music and the sound. Every time I put a record on. |
A turntable’s job is not just to turn the platter at the prescribed speed. It also needs to isolate the platter from vibration and other outside forces. The tone arm has to carry the properly set up cartridge and make sure it tracks optimally. None of this is inexpensive. I went from an older Thorens TD160 to a VPI Scout 2, both with a Dynavector 10X2 and it was a night and day difference. The VPI is far better isolated and the tone arm tracks much better. Both were expertly set up by my retailer. This is still a fairly entry level system but the retail cost right now is probably over $3k. Not including cables and the phono stage. |
I think it comes down to what YOU can afford, what YOU consider a major difference and is it worth the cost?. My first TT was a record changer with a ceramic cartridge. I made a brush which I taped to the end of the arm and it made what I considered to be at that time a major difference. The brush seemed to hold the cartridge which had more high frequency, air. Eventually I ended up with a Sota, separate arm MC cartridge which costed $3,5000.00 in 1992 dollars. The improvements I believe were less major but the total increments although slight are wonderful, in imaging. So in the end you'll end up living with it. Also all the eventual choices and decisions in choices of turntables, arms, cartridges. cables, ect. ect. good luck make it fun and be happy with YOUR decisions! |
Not saying you have to spend $100K or near on a turntable, but once you've heard an exceptional turntable setup on a suitable system it's apparent that there is much more to a fine table than just spinning at the proper speed. Analog playback is a system of accurately measuring the signal recorded in the groove and creating an electrical signal which accurately recreates it. There's a lot of technology involved in the process which has been refined over many decades. Just being more expensive doesn't necessarily equate with better performance but truly high end performance and being able to achieve it doesn't come cheap. Of course you can still enjoy a lesser system but once an elite performer is heard it's hard to go back. |
I’m not super educated on newer equipment, I’m older and therefore prefer vintage equipment, over the years I have been fortunate enough to keeping trading up and up and up to where I am now. I’m running 1963 “The Fisher” 800 C AMP, Turntable: DENON DP 62L with a Audio-Technica VM760SLC cart , speakers are Cerwin Vega D-3 . As stated I’ve traded up from low end pioneer receivers, all kinda of turntables, and speakers and I can say I have heard a incredible difference, with my current set up I’ve heard things I’ve never heard before, so I think the answer is yes you can get a dramatic difference listening experience in upgraded equipment. |