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No bass with new turntable?

 Hello, I've just set up a Pro-ject Carbon DC Esprit, dialed in the arm etc., and while the upper spectrum of the sound is great, there is just no bass, let's say below the 80-100hz range. It's been probably 30 years since I've fooled around with turntables so I can't remember if that's just the way it's supposed to be. Luckily I have a Velodyne SMS-1 bass management system to turn up what I'm missing, but without that I'd be completely disappointed. Using a CDP my speakers are very full of bass. I've played with the tone arm adjustments with no difference in bass really, all supplied cables hooked up and checked, the cart is an Ortofon Red, the phono preamp is integrated in the Rogue Audio Sphinx amp.
 Any suggestions/opinions?
wetfeet48

Showing 4 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,566 posts
 
Off course make sure the recordings you test with have good bass to start with.   Many records do but many do not.   Could be an inferior copy on vinyl of something that sounds good on CD.  What records are you testing with specifically?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,566 posts
 
Check these published specs I found for Ortofon 2m red to see if good match to Sphinx phono specs (or check with Rogue for feedback and maybe a cart recommendation if not):

Specifications

  • Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec.: 5.5 mV
  • Recommended load resistance: 47 kOhm
  • Recommended load capacitance: 150-300 pF

  • Also what tracking force are you using? Here is recommended range. I’d start with teh recommended 1.8g and be sure to match antiskate to tracking force accordingly as always

    • Tracking force range: 1,6-2,0g (16-20 mN)
    Tracking force, recommended: 1.8 g (18 mN)

    The suggestion to check and make sure the proper connections to the premounted cart are in place is a good one.   If the 4 wires and prongs on cart are color coded, that makes it easy.

    mapman's avatar
    mapman
    22,566 posts
     
    Yes its hard to know without hearing.  Is there truly no bass whatsoever?  Not quite as much as the CD player?   Is it the lowest bass had with CD missing but rest there? 
    mapman's avatar
    mapman
    22,566 posts
     
    Hey whatever it was sounds like things are better now, maybe even working as it should.  The loose cart connection would be my first bet, but does not matter at this point.   Next time, to be able to determine conclusively only change one thing at a time between listens.  But hey you covered multiple suspects in short time and made a difference so good for you!.

    Hope it works out.   If not, there is always the digital.

    Myself, I would not use a turntable these days unless I already owned a bunch of records or was interested in old recordings not available otherwise.   Both apply to me.    I bought my current "good" table back in the 80s when digital was just starting because I already had a lot of records I liked and did not want to have to replace.  Nowadays, I might buy a new or rare lp once in  a while but mostly I seek out older less popular records in good shape on the cheap just to be able to expand my library with new interesting listens for not very much.   Buying cheap used vinyl rather than CDs can help pay for teh table over time.     Plus many analog recordings from teh 60's and earlier mastered with tube gear and prior to advent of transistors in particular and even from the seventies prior to digital are unique sonic treats these days.  Even remastered to CD.   Its harder to justify buying newer recordings on vinyl over CD IMHO unless said recording is known to be special for some reason.

    Enjoy!
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