2. amps-preamps
  3. 1346950737

Inexplicable muddy sound on phono input

I've got a Rega turntable running into a Rowland Capri preamp. A few months after I purchased the turntable it developed a thick, wooly sound. I A-B'ed the same recording from vinyl and digital and the digital copy sounded great. So I changed the needle, but no luck. Then I took the turntable back to In Living Stereo here in NYC, and they could find nothing wrong, it sounded fine. Thinking it must be the phono pre, I shipped the preamp back to Sound and Vision, where I purchased it, and he found nothing wrong with it on that end. Yet the problem persists. I'm at a loss--I think my trouble shooting has covered every stage in the signal chain. Any suggestions? Thanks!
price

Showing 4 responses by price

price OP
31 posts
 
Hi Rcprince,
Yes, it has the card installed---at least I bought it that way. When I first received the unit it sounded great. I do suspect there may be something wrong with the preamp, but I want to trust the dealer, who claims to have found nothing wrong.
price OP
31 posts
 
Hi guys,
Thanks. I did indeed hear the turntable, and it sounded fine at the dealer. I didn't actually hear the preamp when that dealer tested it, but he claims that it sounded fine. I don't think it's a gain issue, as the sound is not distorted or overly loud, simply wooly and thick and muddy, as if it's all bass frequencies.
price OP
31 posts
 
Thanks a lot, I'll check into that, good advice. Probably a cartridge mismatch or something else I can address under the hood.
best,
Seth
price OP
31 posts
 
Hi Zd542,
By the way, it's a Rega P1, I believe the stock Ortofon cartridge is moving magnet---- but I'm a vinyl newb.
thanks,
Seth
More to discover