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No bass with new turntable?

 Hello, I've just set up a Pro-ject Carbon DC Esprit, dialed in the arm etc., and while the upper spectrum of the sound is great, there is just no bass, let's say below the 80-100hz range. It's been probably 30 years since I've fooled around with turntables so I can't remember if that's just the way it's supposed to be. Luckily I have a Velodyne SMS-1 bass management system to turn up what I'm missing, but without that I'd be completely disappointed. Using a CDP my speakers are very full of bass. I've played with the tone arm adjustments with no difference in bass really, all supplied cables hooked up and checked, the cart is an Ortofon Red, the phono preamp is integrated in the Rogue Audio Sphinx amp.
 Any suggestions/opinions?
wetfeet48

Showing 4 responses by inna

inna
7,132 posts
 
Yeah listening fatigue is high with digital, any digital. 
The lowest bass you can't really hear only feel, I personally don't enjoy it. It's kind of vibrator you know.
inna
7,132 posts
 
Vinyl gives a much better dynamics, pace and bass than cds. Something is definitely wrong either with turntable set-up or phono stage. Can you try another phono and re-check the cartridge alignment? Also, this entry level cartridge may be bass deficient, I don't know, but still shouldn't be too bad.
inna
7,132 posts
 
Also, turntable reacts more than cd player to voltage fluctuations, though this affects all frequencies. However, at least in my experience, bass and dynamics are affected more than anything else.
Forgot to ask OP this. How many hours are there on that cartridge? If it is not yet burned in for, say, 50-100 hours, the bass may be lacking. 
inna
7,132 posts
 
Cartridge burning-in and cabling are controversial only to those who can't hear things. You've got substandard cable. I would not jump to 2g tracking force if 1.75g is recommended, I would try 1.8g and 1.7g and I would experiment with anti-skate the last. Give it at least 100 hours of play in any case.
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