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
richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
491 posts
 

There is one high-pass filter that I forgot about - the loudspeakers.

I have a Velodyne 18" subwoofer with 1250-Watts RMS power.  It only goes down to about 15-Hz +-3db.

Although my CD player may go down to 2-Hz, even a big subwoofer cannot get close to producing much useful output at anything close to those frequencies.  Velodyne suggest useful output down to 8-Hz.

There are a couple of pipe-organs with 64' pipes which resonate at 8-Hz.  One is down the road from me, in the Sydney Town Hall.  As luck would have it, my partner has just bought a 3-set CD collection including two CDs made with this organ.

coltrane1's avatar
coltrane1
841 posts
 

Too many variables to suggest your hypothesis. It’s suggesting digital has more bass, but vs. what turntable, cartridge, recording? You can’t make such a blanket statement unless you’re simply attempting to stir the pot with another digital is superior to analog narrative. Such threads here get old. Besides, those of us who prefer vinyl aren’t convinced that what you’re suggesting is true. So, you haven’t convinced anyone. Least of all a dyed in the wool vinyl enthusiast. 

merland100
22 posts
 

I have a Rega Planar 10 with the Apheta 3 cartridge and Moon 810LP phono preamp and my bass on most vinyl is generally a little fuller than the digital counterpart played through the Moon 891 fed through Roon Nucleus via an AudioQuest Diamond USB cable. The digital has perfect bass and sounds best through this set up and not at all bass deficient, but the vinyl is a little more full and reviews of the Rega Planar 10 confirm that.

grk
248 posts
 

skads_187. A high mass turntable will give you more bass. With that said, you may want to try a different power cord on your phono stage and preamp.

skads_187 OP
60 posts
 

@merland100 oh yeah, the 810lp is 2 jumps higher than mine and of course the TT as well. I might look into the P8 or P10 or go another route entirely. Im not sure yet. 891 must also sound really nice!

 

@grk I have to check, I believe I still need to upgrade my phono stage power cord, let me know if you have any suggestions, I was thinking of going with a BIS audio cable. For my preamp, I have a Shunyata Venom if I recall correctly. 

More to discover