Dear Zbielak: IN my experiences as we grow-up with better audio devices in the audio chain as " wrong " things come along/out, so we can't think ( almost never are so lucky. ) that a better audio device wll show ( plug&play ) immediatly the quality improvements, specially on the analog area.
If, like almost any one could think on it, the SME TT is realy better then you have to make a new overall audio system set-up, even the V and IV are different designs other than its similar effective mass and build material.
Looking to your system I have to ask: why the 103R?, I mean that your new SME gear ( even with rock/metal. ) maybe deserve a different cartridge that can realy show the quality of that SME rig and IMHO that cartridge can't do it, what you are hearing now ( between other things ) are some of the drawbacks of your 103R. Remember that the quality performance of your system ussualy is the quality peformance f the weak link in the audio chain.
Other thing that worry me is that you are running two different amplifiers with your speakers. The input/output impedance of the amplifiers are different, the frequency response is different, the output level on both channels on each amplifier is different, the THD/IMD on those amplifiers are different, its noise and overall colorations are different too
I prefer to handle speakers for same amplifier models to preserve " continuity ".
Other link where this TT change could " interfere " is with your phono stage that is maybe the most critical link in the analog chain, I know that you posted that is smilar than the Steelhead but with all respect that IMHO is no secure/absolute/precise reference of high quality performance.
The very good news is that right now you have the great opportunity to re-think your audio system to achieve a stepped quality performance from what you are experienced yesterday and today ( till today. ).
You need know-how, patience, money and more patience.
regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
If, like almost any one could think on it, the SME TT is realy better then you have to make a new overall audio system set-up, even the V and IV are different designs other than its similar effective mass and build material.
Looking to your system I have to ask: why the 103R?, I mean that your new SME gear ( even with rock/metal. ) maybe deserve a different cartridge that can realy show the quality of that SME rig and IMHO that cartridge can't do it, what you are hearing now ( between other things ) are some of the drawbacks of your 103R. Remember that the quality performance of your system ussualy is the quality peformance f the weak link in the audio chain.
Other thing that worry me is that you are running two different amplifiers with your speakers. The input/output impedance of the amplifiers are different, the frequency response is different, the output level on both channels on each amplifier is different, the THD/IMD on those amplifiers are different, its noise and overall colorations are different too
I prefer to handle speakers for same amplifier models to preserve " continuity ".
Other link where this TT change could " interfere " is with your phono stage that is maybe the most critical link in the analog chain, I know that you posted that is smilar than the Steelhead but with all respect that IMHO is no secure/absolute/precise reference of high quality performance.
The very good news is that right now you have the great opportunity to re-think your audio system to achieve a stepped quality performance from what you are experienced yesterday and today ( till today. ).
You need know-how, patience, money and more patience.
regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.