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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
ggagnon OP
6 posts
 
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!
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Not really, but let’s put that aside for a moment.

Since you have dissenting input, I think that your idea to trial a phono preamp is right on the money. After all, it only matters if you hear an improvement, and it is your money, much as I love spending it.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
2,678 posts
 
Get that old Toshiba out of the loop. This Croft tube phono should be on your list!
https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/88039/Croft_Acoustics-Croft_RIAA_Phono_Preamp-Phono_Pre_Amps
 
ggagnon OP
6 posts
 
@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.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,611 posts
 
Did you set up your table, arm, cartridge by yourself or did you have it done by an expert?

I ask this because when I replaced my Dynavector MC with a new updated version and had it set up by a guy with diagnostic equipment who could truly optimize it the improvement in all areas of sound quality have been remarkable.
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