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Surprised at how turntable sounds

Hi,

I'm new here and I hope this, my first post, is in the right spot.

I'm hoping for some feedback and help about what happened with a turntable I've just got.  My system has two Dynakit Mk 3 60w monoblocks, a Sonos Port, two B&W 702 S3 speakers, a nas with my music saved as flac files, and a new Denon DP-25F turntable.  

I've only recently set this up.  I've had the monoblocks for quite a while and have been impressed with how they sound.  The B&W speakers are pretty new, and are probably the stars of the system.  To me they're amazing.  The nas is nothing new; I've been using it for years as my music source.

Other than the new turntable, I've been blown away with how great everything sounds.  Even my wife is impressed.

I've just set the Denon up.  I've been wanting to get a turntable again for years, obviously not for the convenience, but because of what I've heard about analogue audio.  I was really surprised when I heard it.  What I expected was lush, full sound.  I thought it might even sound better than music with nas files as the source.  I hoped it would.

It didn't sound better.  It was - what I can best think of to describe it - "thin" sounding.  Switching from the LP to the nas and back was quite a difference.  The nas music sounded great - rich, full, and deep smooth bass.  The music from the turntable was better with "loudness" turned on in the Sonos app, but still sounded mostly acceptable for a party.  Something I wouldn't listen to all that closely.

The cartridge is a DSN-82 stylus.  Should that be adequate, or better than adequate, for my system?  Would I do well to get a new cartridge?

Should I get a new turntable?  

Anything else?

Thanks much in advance for reading, and any suggestions that will help me understand what's going on.

martinlb
billstevenson
1,268 posts
 

Your expectations are too high for your budget.  Drop the whole vinyl idea and be happy with your digital set up.  

oberoniaomnia
386 posts
 

I just got a Fluance RT87 and am quite pleasantly surprised. Still under $1K. Just for a little desktop system, but not bad at all. Not quite as good a my other TT (Rega Naia rig), but that has also a different price tag.

12many
366 posts
 

I suggest you spend alot of time listening to demos on vinyl before you start dropping big $.  It may not be for you.  The times I have listened I have not found myself wanting to switch over from streaming.  Do some AI interaction and ask about the amount and types of distortion between streamer DAC output compared to phono output.  You have to have a personal taste for that type and level of distortion found in the phono output.  If you like it, go for it, but test the water first.  I agree that your turn table is not giving a fair shake to vinyl, but even if you spent more, it may not be your cup of tea, not to mention the cost and effort.  

buellrider97's avatar
buellrider97
1,024 posts
 

You absolutely need a better TT and a phono pre. FWIT those original MK III’s maintained properly and tubed correctly sound pretty darn good and I regret parting with mine years ago. Ironically a few years back I purchased a pristine pair of reproductions only to be totally disappointed with their flat and lifeless sound. The funny thing is I traded them for a restored and modded Thorens TD160 with a Grado Prestige cartridge. I broke out the old records and washed them with an inexpensive Spin Doctor and very much enjoyed the sound. Since then I purchased some new vinyl including a couple MFSL ones and they sound great. I think my TT with that cartridge is probably worth about $1500. As mentioned above get a nicer TT and cartridge and an entry phono pre. Budget for $1K - 1500 and you should be happy. Happy Hunting , Mike B. 

trumpetman48
7 posts
 

You have a lot of really good advice here. No one has mentioned breaking in the cartridge, probably because this one isn't worth messing with, bur any decent cartridge will sound better after 50+ hours of break-in.

I have a Pioneer PL-500 I found used, and added an Ortofon Blue cartridge. Low end by the standards here, but quite full and warm, which you say you want. 

I agree that the MacIntosh phono stage on my C20 doesn't sound as good as my outboard phono stage. What it does have is EQ for pre-RIAA formats, which would be useful if you have a collection of very early vinyl. That's of more interest to an historian than a modern-day audiophile!

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