Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.
Weird thing about the Rhea, loading doesn't make much of a difference - unlike the Manley Steelhead. |
Tried it quickly with the Steelhead and deep bass was present.
Still a little dark sounding though, so I think I need to play with VTA/VTF.
Thanks to all. |
I've had the pleasure of meeting Nick and heard a TT he set up - both were wonderful. While I like learning about setup myself so I can tinker, try other cartridges, etc, I have no doubt that he'd nail it. Unfortunately I live at least 4 hours away.
I did have another setup person drop by months ago (before this cartridge) who filled up my damping reservoir (at the time I had no idea what it was for). Reading the Walker setup guide I'm wondering if I have too much fluid.
Elinor: I've used the VPI strobe disc to set the speed, but I did it right after changing the platter so I'm due to re-check it; thanks for mentioning it. I don't think my stylus is damaged.
Anyone know of a good LP to compare to digital? With the variability of mastering, I'd like to choose something that brings me closer to comparing apples to apples.
Again, thanks for all the responses. |
Just reporting on my progress so far:
So I've tried both phono stages, I've raised VTA until bass got weak. I tried VTF at minimum (1.8g) and removed the dampening fluid (enough so that it doesn't drip from the arm when I lift it up).
All the changes (apart from phono stages) have been somewhat subtle. While it doesn't sound bad, it doesn't have as much 'air' as digital (I've tried various comparisons and it's pretty consistent this way).
I clean my stylus with ME every LP side.
|
In response to the last couple posts:
- My music server is not lossless (shame on me, I know, but it was established a few years back when hard drive space wasn't as cheap). That being said, it's not overly compressed. My recollection is that CDs sound better - brighter with more air.
- I think the salient issue is 'air'. The integration of a sub hasn't caused this in any way, it just caused me to notice the difference between the two sources as I used the music server to dial it in (not only more convenient, but safer since there are no setup variations to throw it off).
- I'm using Micro Utopia monitors which are much more detailed than my previous speakers (Aerial 9's). In some ways I'm finally hearing the high frequency detail.
- If the air I'm hearing from digital is an artifact: I don't think so; I feel I'm hearing more detail. For example, when playing Deacon Blues (Steely Dan/Aja) the beginning of the song has some gentle taps on cymbals that on my analog rig I hear mostly the transient while on digital I can hear the cymbals shimmering with reverb. I can hear clean rhythm guitar on the choruses clearly on digital and on analog it's more buried.
- I have made sweeping changes, but wasn't trying to dial it in so much as see what types of changes were possible - e.g. could I make it sound TOO bright? I would have expected that raising the VTA would have made things get much brighter, but all it seemed to do was affect the amount of bass. And this is with drastic changes in VTA... leading me to believe that slight changes wouldn't do much at all. I was also trying to follow the Walker approach (raise it until bass drops out, then lower it a bit). |
I should add that I have no issue with taking my time to dial the TT in with small changes at a time - but when I go to the extremes and don't hear much of a difference, it isn't overly encouraging. |
Dan: thanks for the white paper, I'll digest it. When I mentioned 'shimmering', I meant the decay of the cymbals (as they vibrate). I think I know what you mean by digital shimmer; I used the term incorrectly.
Dre: I really appreciate your post. I'm just now switching back to the Manley again and have been wondering about the interconnects. I'm using a Pro-ject gauge (it appears the same as most other digital gauges I've seen - perhaps all made in the same Chinese factory?).
I'll try your suggestions. Btw, what happens when a cartridge 'mistracks'? I assume it would be obvious when it happens, but haven't experienced that yet so I'm curious.
Thanks.
Ian |
Thanks again for the replies. I lowered the VTF to 1.75 and it's tracking fine. I may try it even lower for the education (especially now with the explanation you provided). Funny, it sounded real good (playing Aja again) but then I made the mistake of listening to the digital version again and it still sounded much airier.
I took a break for a while, but now I'm going to play around some more... |
Just learned something else: when I read that VTF and VTA were interactive, I thought that meant that an adjustment to one may mean that a different value is required on the other. I didn't realize that adjusting the VTA would literally change VTF! I'm now tracking at 1.5 (well below the 1.8 spec) and still have bass.... should I keep going?
I tried a couple dimes on my gauge and I'm getting 2.300g. |
OK, so now I've raised the VTA much higher (maybe even as high as it goes). I can clearly see the top of the cartridge is on an angle and doing this resulted in a VTF of 1.062g.
No mistracking as far as I can tell. Does this sound as whacked as I think it does?
Btw, in measuring the dimes again, I did get 2.262. |
Thanks, Raul. With the Bryston I can easily mute the subs (which I have done at times while making adustments) and of course all sources are going through the same preamp.
I thought of switching back to my Dynavector 20XL but it takes me several hours to set overhang (using Mint tractor) and the thought of that is somewhat discouraging. However, it's a good idea since I did buy the XV-1s used. The seller seemed quite respected here on A'gon and claimed low hours so hopefully it's not the cartridge, but you never know. |
Quick question: when you adjust VTA, can it affect overhang? My brain keeps telling me that raising VTA would pull back the stylus...? |
I never really directly compared digital to analog prior to adding the sub.
I'm now wondering if my problem was simply VTA was off and by changing it I've messed up overhang. |
I was all set to switch back to my 20XL cart this morning. Removed the red cable and noticed the white was disconnected. Made me wonder if it was loose so back the TT went for another listen. Sigh, no change.
If anyone is willing to do this test: assuming you have both CD and analog copy of Nowhere Man (Beatles), do you hear a gracious amount of reverb on the opening (acapella) vocals? On CD I do - the vocals are in the right channel and I hear stereo reverb that sounds beautiful. On LP I don't hear much at all - it's there (I think) but so subtle that I have to really tune into it - while on the CD it is very present in the mix. Don't know if this is mastering (I'm using the Beatles Blue Box) or my setup.
Dgad: sub is not the issue. I can bypass it - and the digital source is playing through the same rig. |
So the switch back to the 20XL didn't magically give me more air... I guess that's good in a way.
Unfortunately I broke my mint Tractor - cracked it lifting it off the spindle. That'll teach me for being in a hurry. |
