One of those moments we analog people live for...

+1 vinylspin! You have discovered that all phono stages are not created equal. My favorite is the RGR 4 (phono and line stage). I have an ARC SP6 for that "tube sound". No need to spend four or five figures on a preamp!

I was using Yamaha separates, an mx-1000U and a cx-1000u. I bought a schiit freya plus and it's 100% better in every way than the cx, I couldn't believe the difference and what muddy horrible sound I've been listening to for two years, I say get away from that Yamaha gear. I've sold the amp and pre and have another cx I'm selling or taking a hammer too. Make the switch. 

Your Yamaha gear may need recapping, hence the muddy sound.

Never really considered Yamaha as muddy -overly bright maybe.

Thank you all for responding...

IMHO, I always heard in my own ears my Yamaha separates M-70, C-70 as very neutral...hence the "Natural Sound"...which, I would suspect would lead someone to be careful about which speakers and cartridge to use...  I have never been an enthusiastic fan of Yamaha's sound; but, i technically...i will admit that I do not have the knowledge to know what i am hearing.  Yet...as it is said many times in these forums..."my-own-ears-will-guidith me", so to speak. It surely didn't help that I was using the Cerwin Vega's D-8's. Back when I bought the system in '83 I think my seller could have steered me away from the CV's to something else.  The "service" I had done a few years back "seemingly" didn't require recapping...but that doesn't mean it wasn't actually needed.

But...with the added and very modest $179.00 Cambridge "Solo" phono-preamp run through the Aux-1, I am still stunned, overjoyed and pleased by the clarity and fullness of the "new" sound I now have.  Which would lead me to believe that I do indeed need a recapping, or...the phono-stage was 1983 technology; then brought forward into the 21st century.  Yet, I am not quite sure if bad dying caps would allow the "new" sound to happen as it has; all speculation on my part. 

This is a hobby like no other.  The money saving/watching tweaks are part of the adventure and fun.  And the payoffs are indeed worth it. I can be confident that the little silver discs would not allow the kind of issues and conversation to happen. :) 

The sound was so improved by the Cambridge Solo...that I think the larger dynamic(s) were causing skipping. Wow...what a great problem.  I have since placed a thicker-than-normal towel under the TT to dampen any other possible issues.  None so far. I have been prompted to revisit set-up aspects of my humble and modest system...to recheck the tracking grams for the Grado Platinum 1 to be a true 1.5...using the Shure SFG-2 weight gauge.  Making sure the Dual 1219 is level and true with "bubble" rulers.  I have invested in vibration absorbing "feet" for the Dual and...I even bought an acrylic platter mat.  The mat may start its own thread. :) I have head pro and con for the acrylic aspects...more pro...so i will give it a try.

It was suggested by the helpful in this forom that there are even better phono preamp out there...one that would even allow the warmth of tubes. I have saved myself some serious loot here as I chase the sound with modest changes.  Right now I am content with what I have. Though it is nice to know that I can only go up.  I can only imagine what the Shiit or RGR preamps will do...coupled with the AT VM760SLC.

Thank you for reading and helping.  I will let you all know what the acrylic platter mat will do....along with the vibration absorbing "feet".

Thanks again!!

vinylspin