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 rauliruegas

Dear Madfloyd: IMHO the XV-1s is far from be dark and sluggish.

Your TT/tonearm are good enough to the XV-1s performs ( if not at its best ) in a very decent way, no doubt about.

Even that your phono stages are not my " favorities " out there it can make a better work that the one you name It: dark and sluggish: no frequency extremes.

Now, a good digital source/recording almost always will be better ( quality/quantity )on bass than an analog one so you can't try to look ( it is useless ) for a better deep bass in your analog rig in the other part almost any analog rig always will be better on the high frequency range against a CD ( IMHO only a DVDA could compete with analog on that frequency range ). Of course that everything will be dependent on the quality of the recording on each source: digital/analog.

A good example to compare could be Patricia Barber/Cafe Blue ( Nardis track ), the 33rpm version and the FIM label on CD, other one could be Janis Ian/Breacking Silence 33rpm against the Analog production ( Gold limited Edition ) label on CD.

You already follow almost all the advise that several people give you and almost nothing change. There is something that could help: try to change the Azymuth and see what happen.
I have success with the Dyna running at 1.9 or 2.0 and VTA on the positive way ( a little ). I have to say that this cartridge is excellent at both frequency extremes.

One alternative ( between others ) that you have is to take your XV-1s and test on another system and see how it performs, in the same way ( if you can ) try/test a different cartridge in your system.
First than all you have to be sure that your cartridge in right on specs and if it is then the problem can be every where in your system ( other than the cartridge set-up ): cables, tonearm, phono stage, line stage, amplifier, etc, etc.

Other issue that you have is to re-check the sub system seamless integration that you recently add, normally it takes a lot of time to integrate it to any audio system ( some times several months ) and very difficult to integrate seamless to an analog source and at the same time to digital source too, the integration of a sub is difficult even with two subs and a lot more difficult with only one like you. Adding subs means not only " think " on the sub position/place but " think " if the satelites ( JM Labs ) needs to move/change a little along with some room treatment.

Sometimes, at the begening, we tend to set-up the subs a little louder that it real need it and this could be a problem for the XV-1. It is clear too that the external crossover could makes a signal degradation but Bryston is very good on that regard.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Dear Madfloyd: How " things " goes before you add the sub? the analog quality performance was better than the digital one?
Btw, check that the tonarm wires are connected to the XV-1 pins in the right way.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.