Please critique my Delphi set up, bass not right


I have just put enough hours on my new phono pre amp to really enjoy my new (to me) Oracle Delphi.
It's great but as I didn't plan all the parts that well I can hear a weak link. For sure my tone arm needs improving, but what else???
My main complaint, if i can call it that, is a the bass response on non classical music. I.E. the new Beatles box set that just came out for example. It's supposed to be a stellar recording. The bass could be tighter for sure, a lot tighter. It's not what i would call sloppy, far from it, just not nearly defined enough for my taste.
So, I have a Goldring 1042 attached to a OEM (Moth) 202 with the one piece Cardas wiring. It runs on a Oracle Delphi MK1. FYI the MK1 has the suspension kit just done with the new aluminum board and new platter spindle bearing and thrust plate. It seems, like its set up right, i.e. tracking angle, bias, weight etc. But as I am new to vinyl I'm not sure if i'm missing something.
I have a Primare 32 phono stage and a Primare 32 preamp, also new.( really really like these by the way, they replaced a Classe pre 47.5) I use the new W4S ST 1000 "D" class amp to power a vintage but perfectly conditioned pair of B&W 801 matrix. The B&W 's are on sound anchor stands in case that was your first thought. (massive bass difference)
My other front end piece is an Oppo 95 disc player. When I play the the Oppo there are two main differences. The gain is much higher and the bass is more controlled.
I have several different cables and wires to connect and have it set up to my taste. I can hear slight differences in tone between them all but nothing to make even a medium differences, in fact I dare say it's 6 of one and half of the other, sorry to offend the big buck spenders with that comment but i have pretty good ears, so i'd rather leave it at that and sort out the Oracle.
FYI the Primare Phono is set to MM for the Goldring 1042 and the input impedance is set to 47 K.

My questions are,,,,why the big gain difference between the Oppo and the Oracle?
Secondly, I read about a couple of outboard crossovers available for the B&W's but the bass thru the Oppo is stellar, really stellar so even though they may help I gotta think maybe the low end tone arm and MM Goldring???? Thats strictly a guess as Vinyl is not my thing. Also as my room is not perfect, it's too small for the B&W's, the Oppo plays the bass quite well while the Oracle does not.
Although in case anyone is wondering I'll take the vinyl hands down any day even with its flaws and inconvenience. I have never been so involved with the music. Midnight has never arrived so soon.
I have tried some SACD's (Jazz at the Pawn Shop Vol 2) thru the Oppo as well but really it's just "more " bad if I can describe CD that way.

I have a good budget for a new tone arm and new cartridge and its been suggested to get the Rega 1000, that would be the top of the budget more or less as after that I'd rather spend the difference say between the SME 5 and the Rage 1000 on new vinyl.
Any and all comments welcome, and thanks very much in advance for your help!!!
cheers
Steve
128x128alberta_steve

Showing 1 response by davide256

I'm checking to see if you have made any of the classic turntable setup errors.

low bass feedback is the biggest enemy to TT bass response
after improper setup. You should get decent bass with quality TT you have.

1) is your TT on a rigid but lightweight structure? Bass travels easiest through massive objects, light weight but rigid structures block better. If on carpet, be sure the stand has carpet spikes.

2) do you have your TT away from room corners and at least 5 feet away from your speakers? the classic system photo with TT between speakers is one of the worst locations possible, second only to a room corner.

Never had an Oracle, my understanding is that they can be finicky to setup. Dealer house call might be the cure