No deep bass or highs: VTF or VTA issue?


Background:

I've been using JM Lab Micro Utopia monitors and recently added a sub (via Bryston outboard crossover). Used my music server to dial in the sub (for convenience) and after dialing it in I noticed that my analog rig is not sounding anywhere as good as my digital.

I tried comparing a few LPs to their digital counterparts and in comparison the LPs sounded dark and sluggish.

Relevant equipment:

Analog:
- Dynavector XV-1s
- Scoutmaster / JMW 9 Signature / SDS / Super platter etc
- Aesthetix Rhea Signature with NOS tubes

Digital:
Music server -> Benchmark DAC

I used a Mint tractor to align the cartridge, and the VTF on the XV-1s is around 2.0g. I had never done anything about VTA, so I tried raising it. It got somewhat brighter, but now in comparison it lacks deep bass AND the highs of the digital version. Switching back and forth it's like the vinyl is just midrange (that's an exaggeration to illustrate my point).

I also have a Manley Steelhead phono stage; I should probably swap that with the Rhea to make sure the phono stage isn't the culprit but my gut tells me that it's the setup.

Any advice on what adjustments to try would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
madfloyd

Showing 2 responses by dgad

I would check resonant frequency of the arm. A high resonant frequency would make the highs less open & muddy the bass. One other note, is that the Subwoofer can affect the isolation of the turntable and then create resonances that would again muddy the bass and reduce the extension & clarity of the highs. When you integrate full range bass into any system, you now test the limits of all your equipment. This is where it really gets challenging and can be expensive.

On a note re: VTF & VTA. As I change VTA I do always recheck VTF (depending on the arm) and then reset the VTF to the previous setting to make sure I am listening the effects of the VTA change and not the interelated VTF change. I hope this is clear. All the best. I wasn't a fan of the XV-1s but it did have good bass and sweet highs.
One more idea. Listen with headphones and compare CD to Analogue. This will let you know if your subwoofer is interacting w. the turntable.