Also, don't forget a good stylus cleaner!
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.
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- 52 posts total
I would do the opposite of everything @thecarpathian says. @macg19 (even he comments exactly the same stuff) is spot on |
OP, I didn’t realize how new the Fluance RT87 Model is (june 2026). I just found it when looking for arm height adjustable models. A simple introduction: https://www.gearpatrol.com/audio/fluance-rt87-turntable/ Personally I would select the version with the AT-VM95ML cartridge to get the advanced Microline Stylus Shape. I have owned that cartridge/stylus so I know it’s sound, and I prefer any advanced stylus shape to elliptical, even though the Ortofon is highly thought of. I have not heard that brand, that TT, or their $100. Phono Stage (which I hope is a good 'starter' choice). I’m hoping to hear from you and others. |
Iʻm a boomer and last year sold off my entire record collection and table. I had about a dozen recordings in both vinyl and digital formats. There were things I liked about each better than the other, but in the end, the differences really were minimal and did not greatly impact my listening enjoyment. |
- 52 posts total

