2. analog
  3. 1232902020

Vinyl sounds a bit thin and slightly strident.

The analog side of my system looks like this:
Benz Micro Ebony H Cartridge(Broken in). VTF around 1.9g.
No Headshell weight.
VPI Scout/JMW-9 Signature Arm(Wired w/Nordost Valhalla)
Cardas Neutral Ref Phono Balanced.
Audio Research PH-2 Balanced Phono Pre
Cardas Neutral Reference IC's
Audio Research LS-7 Preamp w/Electro-Harmonix Tubes from ARC
Cardas Hexlink 5C
Mark Levinson No.331
Purist Audio Design Aqueous Bi-wire
B&W Nautilus 803S
I recently purchased a used Sony 9000ES SACD player and noticed I could listen for extended periods of time and I just kept wanting to play music because it is a great sounding player and very engaging and realized that I'm having a hard time getting as involved with my vinyl rig and I've concluded that the big contributing factors are a lack of bass weight, mid-bass bloom and the top end is a bit strident.
Has anyone else had a problem such as this? And what device(s) should I tweak or change in order to alleviate these sonic characteristics? I suspect my overhang may be off and a contributing factor due to just using the stock VPI protractor. I want to get a Wally Tractor soon.
Any thoughts?
n803nut

Showing 1 response by casouza

casouza
239 posts
 
I have owned Benz cartridges and ARC phono stages, I agree with most of the comments so far.
First, Benz cartridges excel in the midrange. Do not expect great bass punch from a Benz cartridge. Treble can become desimbodied from the midrange if the VTA or VTF are not spot on. Benz VTA is tricky, as is VTF, due to the narrow stylus profile.
Second, Sony players in general have outstanding bass quality, it will be tough to find a phono combo that will beat your Sony in bass slam...more natural / organic bass is possible, punchier bass is difficcult.

A few suggestions regarding brightness and lean sound:

-Valhalla wire, the transparency-champ! It sounds very detailed and lean. It may be a great choice in the right system or may ruin the tonal balance, specially because it is the first cable in your system.

-EH tubes - I agree with the previous posts, they sound harsh and forward as compared to good NOS tubes.

-Cardas Hexlink is not as full-bodied as Cardas GR or NR.

Lastly, leave the phono preamp on 24/7, it will sound much smoother after a couple of days of warm up.
Good luck
More to discover