2. analog
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Vinyl playback - lack of bass?

Alright, hopefully this isn't a dumb question.

I split my audio listening between analog and digital. Both setups use the same preamp/amp/speakers etc. I noticed that when listening to records, there isn't as much pronounced bass vs lets say when listening to tidal/qobuz. I'm wondering if its my phono that might have a lack of bass? or is it because my cartridge hasn't fully broken in yet? For fun , I connected my sub when I switched to side 2 yesterday, it helped pronounce the bass a bit more as I elevated the volume on the sub. But nothing crazy. but was decent enough. 

Besides that, everything sounds fantastic and great on LP vs digital. Also, to mention, lately have been playing some older original rock records. I should try popping in a newer record for fun to see if it makes a difference (most likely not analog sourced of course). or I can try the new Black Sabbath Rhino release.

Setup - analog - rega p6 w/ ania cartridge (only 30 hours on the cartridge so far). Phono - Moon 310lp. 

Digital - moon 280d mind2 w/ dac

Rest - Preamp Moon 740p, amp pass labs x250.8 , speakers Sonus Faber Olympica III 

 

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Showing 2 responses by hjdca

hjdca's avatar
hjdca
28 posts
 

Many older records were light on bass.  To really check your equipment, you would have to compare many albums to their equivalent CDs.   Many of the CDs were remastered, so, you will not be able to tell unless you use many test cases.  Concentrate on music that is known for being light on bass.   In addition, CDs usually play at louder volume than records, so, make sure you even out the loudness when doing your comparison.  In my personal experience, records do not have less bass than their matching CD.  In fact, many records sound "thicker" than their matching CD.  Some CDs sound "thin" to me relative to the original record. 

hjdca's avatar
hjdca
28 posts
 

fyi, just for giggles, Once counter example -- I have an original 1st edition mint British Pressing of Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland - the one that was originally mixed by Hendrix - back & forth - speaker to speaker even on the same guitar riff. It had so much dynamic range (peaks and valleys on the Vinyl) that it caused the cheaper record players back in the day to skip.  On the second pressing and the USA pressings, they had to compressed it, and in addition, when the album was mastered in the USA, they could not "understand"/"follow" Hendrix mixing directions, so, the subsequent pressings sound very different.  On my original Album, If you play Voodoo Child (slight return), the bass is incredible.  There is no CD, nor subsequent vinyl pressing that even comes close to the sound of that Album.  So, trying to compare Vinyl to CD includes lots and lots of variables.  As you can see, even vinyl to vinyl with subsequent pressings can be an issue... 

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