Sound from my turntable is veiled (like behind a curtain)


Hi everyone, my first post here.

I want to improve the sound of my turntable (Technics SL-1200 MK2, with Ortofon MC1 Turbo). My guess is that I need a better phono stage for it, right now I use the phono input of an old Toshiba SY-C15 pre-amp (https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/toshiba/sy-c15.shtml), connected to my Hegel H100 integrated amp. It is mainly the voice that sounds veiled (excuse my French, I am not sure if I use the right word). When I compare a same song from a digital source, through my DAC (Hegel HD-20), the voice and other high pitch sound are not present when played from the phono. I noticed this problem lately, when I changed my Rega Naos speakers for Amphion Argon 7LS.

What would be a good phono stage for this setup, and would this makes my analog source sounds better than the digital, as I expect it. I have a budget of around $1500 for this, used is fine.

Thank you!
ggagnon

Showing 6 responses by ggagnon

Thank you guys for you answers. 

To be frank, I am more confused now.  I guess my next step would be to find a good phono preamp for a trial, and compare with the one I have now.  I have read articles in some forum on my Toshiba preamp from peoples who were using it as a phono stage as I do, and some were saying it was as good as some $600-$700 units they compared with.  Could a device like that require repairs, sometimes I lose a channel, I then have to play with the device selector to get it back, maybe its just really dirty inside?

I check my stylus regularly with a magnifier, and it looks fine, I had to clean it once after I thought it was broken, but that time the sound was horrible.  But I will give it a shot again, thanks roberjerman for the advice.

Viridian, there is a Musical Surroundings Nove II on sale now on Audiogon, (https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis92i3f-musical-surroundings-nova-ii-phono), does this sounds like a good deal?

Thanks!
@roberjerman I cleaned the stylus with little bit of isopropyl alcool, on a tiny paintbrush, and guess what, the sound came back.  Thanks.  I will put cleaning the stylus on my weekly schedule, right after I take out the garbages :).

@yogiboy  This device looks interesting, I will read on it, and see if I can listen to it locally.   Thanks.   On the Toshiba, you would be surprised of what it can deliver, I also have a tuner on it, and my friends are always surprised when I tell them they listen to the radio.
@lewm The alcohol I used was 70%, so it is not pure.  But I will follow the advice of using special solution.  I didn't think that could damage the styli itself, I was very careful to not put alcohol on the cartridge plastic casing.
@hifiman5 The setup of the table was done by a professional.  The store where I bought my cartridge.

@lewm and @roberjerman I will definitely look for a solution to clean the styli more often.

I am convinced now to find a good phono stage, any recommendation will be appreciated, knowing my cartridge is and MC High Output.

Thank you all for you answers. 
@erik_squires The phono stage of the Toshiba is for MM, that's why I bought the HOMC Ortofon in the first place, I don't think there is any setting for it, and I don't have the manual anymore.