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

Thanks all, so this is what I am going to do based on what I have read here.

1. I need to do a better test. I think someone gave me an idea with Daft Punk. I might test 1 track from Random Access Memories and compare both digital vs LP.

2. I need to re look at my capacitance settings. I remember with the 310lp I think I was confused as the manual suggested to use 0pF for MC cartridges, however, for the Ania, it states to use 1000 pF, which the 310lp only has 3 options, 0pF, 100pF and 470pF. At first I thought 100pF was the 1000 one since it was missing. Ill double check what its set at, so not sure at the moment if it should be on 470 or 0.

3. I think I should give the Ania a true test and wait until its fully broken in. I know the store did indeed tell me after 100 hours it will change. Im hoping to hear something at 50 Hours, fingers crossed.

4. maybe its time to change the phono first (before the TT, not sure if I want to change it yet, since I haven't used it much). Im not sure if maybe the pass labs xp15 is a good option (read reviews that it has a warmer sound than the xp17) This may need another discussion thread on its own in the near future.

I think it’s not a great idea to change a component while another component is breaking in. Have patience. 

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... 

@chayro yes, good point, for sure it wouldnt be right away anyway. I would need to wait for a good condition/deal on a used xp15 anyway. Ill do some research, it could take many months. I just assumed that the pass labs xp15 is most likely a better phono all around and yes a different sound quality for sure. Supposedly the xp15 gives a bit of that tube likeish sound.

Because digital has a brick wall filter at around 22Hz, the response stops dead at the frequency.  Harry Pearson first noticed that at least early CDPs lacked what he called "downward dynamic range", perhaps because of the filter effect.  After HP brought it up, I cannot avoid hearing the effect of which he speaks.  Yes, digital goes very low until it doesn't.  This is not what happens in live music in any real world venue. I cannot get away from the fact that I hear what he was talking about.