2. analog
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Novice at Analog, need recommendations.

I am a Novice at Analog Record playing. Spent most of the last 15 years listening to CD. Current System consists of a refurbished Thorens TD-160 Turntable with a new Grado Silver Cartridge, Space Tech Lab P-102 Vacuum Tube Phono Stage, Space Tech Lab A-102 Integrated/Headphone Vacuum Tube Amp, driving a pair of Grado RS-1's. Mid-range sounds very weak, and so does low level information. The Cartridge was aligned by reputable, and knowledgable dealer. Can this be the Cartridge is not broken in yet? Could it be the Phono-stage? Any recommendations for improvement and up-grading? A-102 and RS-1 sound great with Digital/Analog front end.
pettyofficer
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syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Don't know your System, but analog has normally no big secrets.
I guess, it is the matching between Cartridge and Phonostage datas (Gain)
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pettyofficer OP
462 posts
 
Novice responding,
Thanks for the suggestions. Phonostage is set for MM Cartridge gain, load is 47K ohms. I was comparing to this Turntable with a Grado Black Cartridge and some other Phonostage I am not sure of. It was a set-up the dealer had arranged. I chose the Grado Silver to replace the Black, I also chose the Space Tech Lab P-102 with Tubed MM Output Stage and Tubed Power Rectifier. This Mid-range suckout seems to come and go, usually leaves after playing numerous records in a row. I was thinking that it was just the Cartridge breaking in. Does anyone know how long the Cartridge should take to break in? I only have maybe 20 hrs. on this Cartridge. It is a brand new Cartridge. I was just wondering if I might have some other problem. I can try the suggestion with the cardboard and the VTA. If the sound goes in the right direction, then the VTA is way off and has to be adjusted.
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