jdm11,
Be careful not to swallow every pill crammed in your face. Your preamp/amp/speaker combo looks pretty solid. In that case, sources are your best bang for SQ improvement, excepting the one thing I do no see discussed:
Have you experimented with speaker placement? Are your speakers spaced a good way from the rear wall? What are the dimensions of your room and what types of acoustical treatment have you installed?
Dave |
Thank you willemj. As I said I'm a novice and don't want to throw good money after bad so I appreciate the information you've imparted. |
Thank you loomisjohnson - I've been reading up on DACs - so many brands and reviews and opinions out there though it's a lot to sort through.
Thank you cd318 - that was an interesting read particularly in relation to recommended proper speaker placement on for the PSBs. I can make some adjustments there. |
The subjective magic of vinyl is that it compresses the dynamics. So the softer sounds are lifted a bit, and this gives an impression of more detail, but it is at the expense of more realistic dynamics. Add a hefty dose of harmonic distortion that many find euphonic, and you have most of what the attraction of vinyl is about. Remember, the vinyl sound can be emulated to perfection in the digital domain (studio mastering systems have such plug ins). So it is a deviation of the neutrality. It is also a money maker for small industries. Of course, you are perfectly free to enjoy this candle light view of the world.
I am of a generation when there was only vinyl, and I still own one of the famous vinyl systems of the day. I love the mechanical beauty of the SME arm, and I even sometimes enjoy the ritual, but for purely audio quality it is easily beaten by even a modest CD/BD player or a Chromecast Audio.
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That kind of gets to the heart of the question I guess. Is the turntable the weakest link and if so is my other gear good enough to warrant buying a significantly better turntable because I can't afford to replace the turntable and the preamp, etc. If the other gear is sufficient what would be a good example of a turntable to consider? |
Have you read this? http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/psb_platinum_t6.htmSeems like the PSBs need a bit of care regarding setup. All speakers benefit from placement, but for some it's essential. The only other thing could be your turntable, because we all know that all CD players, amplifiers and cables sound pretty well alike. Sorry. |
the obvious upgrade would be to add a quality dac for your digital sources. i like your amp/pre and speakers.
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It certainly might. I just didn't want to say that your entire analog rig could use a big improvement. In my mind, upgrading turntable is a serious step, almost as serious as upgrading speakers. Ususally, most people keep their good turntables for a long time so it would make sense to do a big upgrade, not just one or two steps. |
Thank you inna. I do use a Furman power conditioner. Your suggestions make sense though I'm wondering if it would make sense to just purchase a better turntable before putting money into a new cartridge and / or phono stage?
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Thank you willemj interesting observations re: expectations. There could be something to that but I have to say when the vinyl playback is good - for ex. Hugh Masekela Hope 45 RPM - I think THIS is what music is supposed to sound like! I prefer the sound to CD even though the Marantz is, as you mention, well regarded. Which makes it all the more disappointing when quality pressings of Pet Sounds or Sgt Peppers vinyl sound distant and muddled; hence my confusion. I'm wondering if one or more of my components is limited moreso than the medium. I'll def look into the Harbeths thanks for that. My listening room is set up the best it can be and I don't have an option of switching to a different room (kids!).
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Hard to tell. Do you use any power conditioner?
I would probably get motor controller for the turntable first, then think about trying some passive or active power conditioner, then better cartridge and phono stage, then cables and power cords. |
Narrow opinions on everything do not equal expertise at anything. Quite the opposite in fact.
Dave |
Well maybe what you are hearing is that vinyl is a challenged medium. Noise, distortion and dynamic range are all far less than what real music needs, or than what digital sources can deliver. Hence a muddled sound.
Marantz cd players are excellent, so if the sound is still harsh, it is either your expectation that is wrong (real music can sound rather harsh), or the speakers, or the hard acoustics of the listening room.
In any system the weakest links are not modern electronics, but the speakers and the room. If it is the speakers, try auditioning Harbeths. They excell at avoiding listening fatigue.
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I would say the best way to describe what I don't like about the sound is:
- Vinyl playback is good on Jazz / Jazz Vocalist Lps (Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole; Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, Art Pepper) and Blues but Lps like Beach Boys Albums where there is a lot going on & on Rock Albums the sound seems a bit muddled and distant.
- CDs sound a bit harsh and thin.
- I'm looking for a more "3D" kind of sound with depth and warmth but clarity as well (not muddled or fuzzy).
-Bass could use more punch but this isn't my biggest problem.
Also to rule the sources out as a cause my vinyl collection is quality - a lot of Analogue Productions, 45 RPM, Mofi, ORG, etc. I've invested a lot in the collection over the past 15 years and I just don't feel I'm getting the best out of it.
Thanks! |
What is it that you don’t like -- from a sound quality output / performance perspective?
In other words, what’s missing for you?
Be as specific as you can...it will help you with direction and choices. |
