Weird issue with my VPI... please help

Thanks, Artemus.

Thanks for all your help.

I am using an Aesthetix Rhea. I forget what gain I am using, but I did read up in both the Shelter and Rhea manuals to determine which gain. Reading up on the Rhea, I tried different loads to see if it would help, but it didn't.

I tried my first turntable (Rega P3-24) and it sounded pretty darn normal, so I'm pretty sure it's the Shelter. It almost sounds like the phase is shifting, like it's not playing one channel consistently. Just happened to play Dream On by Aerosmith and a guitar lick that I know very well that is localized to one channel wasn't even audible. It truly sounds, well, wrong.

I know nothing about turn table setup. Was trying to purchase Michael Fremer's DVD from AcousticSounds for a while now, but it's been backordered. Can anybody point me in the right direction to learn about setup? Where would I buy this Mintlp BestTractor tool?

OK, here's some more info.

When I first noticed how weird it sounded (absent midbass etc) I quickly tried another phono stage - a Pro-ject Tube Box SE II and in about 30 seconds assessed that it didn't sound much different (leading me to suspect the cartridge or turntabe setup).

This morning I tried the Tube Box again with the Aerosmith LP and it played the 'missing lick' just fine; also noticed the soundstage was much wider than the Rhea. Going back to the Rhea it pretty much collapses to the center. If I really listen closely, I can hear the missing lick, but it's normally mixed very forward. You'd think if it wasn't playing one channel it would be obvious (e.g. the image wouldn't be centered between the speakers). So there's something wrong with the Rhea.

But it doesn't stop there exactly. While it sounds better on the inexpensive Tube Box phono stage, it still doesn't sound at all full - like there are dips all over the place. It's not the speaker or preamps because If I play a CD, the frequency spectrum is fine.

Any suggestions?

I wonder if it was a mistake getting the signature arm? I understand that this arm is brighter sounding and that using a Dynavector on it would be too bright (and the reason ElusiveDisc says most people prefer the Shelter with it).

Any thoughts on this?

Artemus,

If I'm not mistaken, the Dyna 20 is $700 and the Benz Ebony L is $3500?

What are the sonic differences between the two? Which do you use now?

Received my (Michael Fremer) setup DVD and Analog test LP so hopefully I can learn a bit over the next few days and rule out poor setup, but at this point I'm figuring it's either the cartridge or just the sound of VPI.

I've played some more LPs over the past few days and it doesn't sound so much out of phase as a total lack of midbass and midrange, very thin highs. I'm now worried because I've been getting some private emails suggesting I may just not like the VPI sound.