2. analog
  3. 193917-155765

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 5 responses by vair68robert

vair68robert
643 posts
 

Great amp , and yes the cartridge needs more time breaking in .

 

To test old or original 60's rock vinyl for bass try a testing your original release with a new " remastered " one , say like the Beatles remastered by Giles Martin .

A real good test would be to play The Cowboy Junkies album All That Reckoning  , if you don't have bass slam then there might be a problem in your cartridge setup . 

vair68robert
643 posts
 

Look at you manual again , you should be setting the cartridge to 1K resistance . J12 & J30

Also check your gain setting  , should be 60 or 66 db .

vair68robert
643 posts
 

187

per Rega MC cartridges manual capacitance should be set to 1k , check it out and see if you hear the difference .

also what about your gain setting ?

vair68robert
643 posts
 

187

please accept my apology , I am 100% wrong in my hazy thinking , you are correct using 100 ohm loading .

the 1,000pf input capacitance loading is one of the jumper settings on a Rega phono preamp for MC cartridges . 

you should also be using the 66db gain setting on the Moon , the Rega phono pre's high is 69db .

 

vair68robert
643 posts
 

187

The Rega phono preamp is the first time I've seen capacitance loading on or for an MC cartridge as well as the resistance loading .

For you reference I have a Tavish Designs Adagio phono preamp .

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