2. analog
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Vinyl...should I stay, or should I go?

I've sort of hit a crossroads and have decided to part with my turntable, all accessories which go with the turntable, and my record collection. However, before parting ways with my analog gear I wanted to gather some feedback and make sure I've given vinyl a fair shake.

My setup is a VPI HW-19: a Zorin tonearm and a Dynavector 17dx cartridge, with a Manly Chinook phono-stage, It plays through Primaluna dialogue Pre amp and amps. The speakers are Goldenear Reference. 

Confession, despite this setup, I've mostly streamed Roon music through an ultraRendu into a ModWright oppo 205. It's just recently I decided to give listening to vinyl a try. I'm pretty much a novice to the finer points and nuances of getting the best out of vinyl.

Experience: I'm finding the streaming music seems to be more centered with a deeper and more textured soundstage. When I stream, no matter what era the music is from, the singer/music is front, center, deep and wide. On the other hand, the last couple of records I've tried. A very old and somewhat used Alan Parsons Project lp and Jim Croce, Don't Mess around with Jim 180 gram lp, have not presented the same quality soundstage. In fact, in both cases while much of the music is centered, the singer's voice is coming mostly from the left side (speaker). Also, I'm finding the bass to be lacking. Last night in a side by side comparison, I was taken aback by how much better sounding was the streaming music.

Question: Is this typical of vinyl or is there something in my setup (again I'm a novice) I'm overlooking? With all this said, any advice on what to check or look for would be much appreciated. I'm not trying to start a debate about the merits of vinyl vs. streaming. I'm really just trying to find out if what I'm experiencing is typical of the vinyl experience or if there's something I should be correcting before pulling the plug and selling off the analog gear. Thanks
liv2teach

Showing 3 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,770 posts
 
And, a magnificiently engineered LP to get/hear the best.

IF you like guitar, this is an awesome sounding LP, the most amazing for imaging is side 2, tracks 2 and 3, all three guitarists play, amazing imaging! I highly recommend you buy a new one, doesn’t need to be the best version, just a new undamaged version

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Night_in_San_Francisco

Get a CD version also, then you have a true comparison Cd to LP, LP ALWAYS wins at my house. If your Tt is properly set up, and you find the LP isn’t better, isn’t worth the work, SELL!
elliottbnewcombjr
5,770 posts
 
LP ONLY sound superior if:

the arm and cartridge are located physically correct distances from the spindle; and the cartridge/stylus to groove angles are correct tangentially/horizontally and vertically, and the tracking force, and anti-skate force are ALL done carefully ONCE,

then play, enjoy, check only tracking force and anti-skating every few months.

You have identified, your cartridge is not tracking properly if the imaging is so noticeably different, and off to one side. Other factors/alignments may be improper.

I think you owe it to yourself to have the TT/Arm/Cartridge properly set and listen some when 'right' before you part ways, even if you need to pay someone to do it. 
elliottbnewcombjr
5,770 posts
 
Tell us where you live. Perhaps a vaccinated member lives close enough to come over and check it. I'm in Plainfield, NJ, 07062, twice vaccinated, have tools, will assist.
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