@OP You need a better cartridge. Or at least a different cartridge. Ultimately a better turntable will help too.
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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- 78 posts total
Hey @skads_187, you mentioned they were older albums. Were those albums on the thin side compared to your newer thick 180g vinyl? Perhaps your VTA needs to be checked. If the pivot end of your tonearm is raised too high, it can lean out the sound, and if the pivot side is too low, it can overemphasize the bass. Check that out before you make too many changes. Also what resistance settings are you running on your phono stage? Too high of resistor value could also lean out the sound. If you’re running it about 1K, maybe try 470K, or even lower until it sounds correct. |
Ok so no secret digital has lower frequency range. However digital bass is more of a slam, as in instant and quickly gone whereas from a tt your bass freq won't go as low however most interpret it more bass because it will sound fuller, heavier even tho it in the higher frequency range. So measurably yeah your digital should go lower, but your impression should be they are about the same. Obviously there are variables as mentioned as to the turntable, the stylus, the phono the LPs themselves. I have few different turntables, one is a Rega P3 w orton black, I do not have a lack of bass compared to my digital setup. Also that seems like plenty of time for your stylus to beak in. All 3 of my stylus took less than 10 hrs to break-in (and yes part of the break-in was bass) after that I never noticed a sonic change. I'd keep looking into. Best of luck |
You have a great system there. You do NOT need a new TT and cartridge. Ignore any suggestion to that. I would recommend you double check your VTA and your tracking force. Also, maybe experiment with settings on your phono pre amp. I have noticed that some vinyl versions of the same song lack some deep bass compared to their digital versions. I think that can be from the mastering as often they are different. However, for the most part I find my setup very similar in the bass region as I compare analog to digital. |
- 78 posts total