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turntable newbie: need advice for better sound

Recently bought on Amazon the Technics SL 1200MK and a Shure M97XE cartridge to go with it. Got an old guy in a record shop to set it up for me. Got it home and... I'm very ambivalent about the sound. While the soundstage is wide and there is definitely "air" between the different sounds, there is very little detail--sometimes I can't even tell what instrument I'm listening to. There is also a dullness (perhaps "darkness") to the sound and a lack of 3-Dimensionality despite the wideness of the soundstage. what else? Some distortion.

I learned enough to successfully change the tracking force from 1.25 (with the M97XE brush down) to 1.50 (with the brush down) and that actually got rid of a little distortion. Even that, however, makes me a little suspicious since 1.25 is supposed to be optimal.

ANYWAY, I'm looking for better sound. Any thoughts, advice?

The Technics is wired directly to a Mcintosh MA6500 and plays through Sonus Faber floor standing Concertos.
d2_lamay
lindisfarne
511 posts
 
You can "max-out" that TT by contacting KAB Acoustics. Google them. Kevin is the owner and he knows the Technics better than anyone. The rest of your system, leave alone!
jlc76
37 posts
 
What records have you played? My setup consists of a 1210 M5GSE (this has upgraded tonearm wiring and RCA interconnects) and I also have the KAB fluid dampening system. I am using a vintage Shure V15 III. I am using a Mac C28 and MC250 with Klipsch Heresys. I haven't noticed any lack of detail, my only complaint is the Shure is a bit bright with some rock recordings. I would second having KAB do some work on it. I would go with the Cardas tonearm rewire and fluid damper, if that doesn't do the trick go with the cart upgrade and you will still be happy you had the KAB upgrades. Another thing to check is cart alignment, there are alignment tools that combined with a test record like the Analogue Productions Hifi record (300hz tone), it helped me fine tune my rig by adjusting cart alignment.

There are some on here that feel the Technics is not an audiophile turntable, but it sounds better (and will last a lot longer) than anything "audiophile" at that price. Of course I use to DJ so I am very partial to them.
d2_lamay OP
4 posts
 
After reading the last two messages, I've decided to email KAB. Can I ship my table to them?

I have two records right now (with a bunch from my folks on the way). Both are new and were released within the past two years or so. One is The Editors "An End Has a Start" which is 33 1/2 rpm. I move the tone lever up one line for that. The other is Low "Drums and Guns" which is 33 rpm.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
As far as I know, there are no 33 1/2 or 33 rpm LPs. They are 33 1/3, often called 33 rpm. I'm assumming that the Tone Lever is some sort of speed adjustment. You should leave it at factory standard, or set it w a strobe.
sounds_real_audio
1,012 posts
 
I haven't worked with Shure cartridges in over 30 years. That it probably a high output cartridge. I don't sell Mckintosh either so not sure about the phono stage but I would check to make sure you have a Moving Magnet cartridge and a phono input for Moving Magnet cartridges. Check you manual. Good luck.
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