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 

 

skads_187
medium_grade
96 posts
 

Yeah, I noticed this a while ago so I just keep a Schiit Loki Mini in the final stage of my vinyl setup to give a little bass boost as well as to help correct any less than perfect recordings. It's a really transparent EQ. 

medium_grade
96 posts
 

Yeah, I noticed this a while ago so I just keep a Schiit Loki Mini in the final stage of my vinyl setup to give a little bass boost as well as to help correct any less than perfect recordings. It's a really transparent EQ. 

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. 

mswale
204 posts
 

Many older records in general can sound thin and dull.

Suggest you try newer records to compare. On my setup, my TT has just as much bass as my digital, and even my tuner (yeah, I still listen to radio).

Just got an anniversary vinyl of Daft Punk. It has just as much bass as the digital version. On my system sounds better overall over the digital version. 

Think it's either your cartridge setup, or phono-pre setup. Play around with it, till you find what you are missing. 

1971gto455ho's avatar
1971gto455ho
525 posts
 

One of the many reasons my vintage Garrard TT and system components aren’t on display collecting dust anymore, there comes a time said the CD player to the cassette and R/R players…..lol 

Cheers 

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