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New analog system disappoints, please help

Hi,

I recently decided to get back into analog after a long break. Being on a budget I bought a used system from a local seller. The system consists of a J A Michell Gyro SE with DC motor, SME 309 tonearm and Transfiguration Spirit cart. I also bought a new old stock, factory sealed Plinius Jarrah phono stage. The Gyro, 309 and spirit where all purchased new in 2002 from a L.A. area high-end dealer and set up for the original owner in his home. They have remained there undisturbed and virtually unused since (maybe 15 to 20 hours total use)

After getting it all home I set up the turntable on a carefully leveled rack and tried the bounce test for the suspension. What I got was more like the Jello jiggle than a nice verticle bounce. I followed the instructions I found online for adjusting the suspension (several times) and although not perfect the bounce is much better. I have not touched the tonearm/cart alignment as I know little about this. I left the Jarrah set to factory default high output and adjusted the loading to 100ohms (recomended for the spirit)

After a 24hr burn in for the Jarrah I started to listen to some LP's. The sound is not bad, there is nothing obviously wrong but it sounds slightly recessed, flat and lifeless. I guess I was expecting more even from a relatively modest system like this. It doesn't "blow away" my digital source.

The rest of my system consist of Art Audio VPS DM pre, Art Audio Diavolo amp, Lector CDP-7T-MKIII and Spendor sp100 speakers. Cables are a mix of Nordost Valkyra and Quattro fil.

Any suggestions, incite or setup help would be greatly appreciated.

Emilio
emiliop
hdm
971 posts
 
I really wouldn't describe that as a "modest" front end so I would think that there is something drastically wrong with the setup.

Unfortunately, the problem could be anywhere. From your perspective, I'd look at the easiest thing for you to deal with as a novice and that would be the settings on the phono pre. Perhaps the Jarrah's "high" setting is for high output cartridges, not low outputs like the Spirit. It would seem counterintuitive, but it would be easy for you to try the "low" setting (the gain and output of the Plinius/Spirit are well matched when using the low output MC setting, whether that is the "high" or "low") to see if that is the source of your problem.

This is, of course, assuming you have set Vertical tracking angle and Vertical tracking force properly once you have set the table up? Arm approximately parallel, at least to start and proper VTF towards the high end of the range suggested for the Spirit? Alignment is supposed to be a snap with the 309 if you have the supplied SME protractor.

The only other thing I can think of is if the cartridge leads have been incorrectly connected to the cartridge at the headshell, but that's probably something for a pro to tackle.

You'll end up with a zillion suggestions for things to look at here. Good luck! That setup should sound fantastic.
markd51
741 posts
 
Hello, I'm certainly no authority on your set-up, and even after being into vinyl for a good 35 years consider myself a "rank amateur" to the world of high end analog.

It appears you have adhered to proper factory recommended Cartridge Loading (100 ohms), but some experimentation here with your Plinius won't hurt a thing. How is gain with the Plinius? Do you feel it is adequate? Or do you have to really crank the volume to get listenable sound?

The other "possible" suggestion, would imply that perhaps the Table-Arm-Cartridge is either not properly set-up, or has deviated from proper set-up? By taking such assumptions for granted, one will never really know for sure. Just an error in VTF, VTA, or proper Cartridge Alignment can make, or break any Cartridge's sound.

When moving such equipment around, there's no guarantee things will stay precisely set, and realistically, like the rest of us, we all seem to require the need of VTF Scales, Protractors, Test LPs to squeeze every last bit of performance from our rigs.

It's great when one has a high-end buddy close by, so one can get help, and second opinions, but many, like myself no longer do, so sadly, we are often on our own.

If you have a local shop, with a knowledgeable tech that can help, this might be a possible route?

Hopefully others with better experience than I can help you come to better conclusion than I with your particular gear, and I'm sorry that I cannot be of better help to you. Mark

gregm
3,021 posts
 
there is nothing obviously wrong but it sounds slightly recessed, flat and lifeless.
That sounds like a phono input matter or a phono gain matter or a combination thereof. Check this out first as suggested.

Normally you should have very good sound from that set-up -- so I guess it's lost somewhere on the way to yr speakers.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
First,I would check to see if the system is to your liking by playing a CD. Although CD's may not have the magic that vinyl can have, at least you will get a taste of your system. If you dont have a cd player just borrow one from your dealer. If the sound is good, but that magic is not there, you should tune the system. Experiment with speaker placement. Experiment with anti-resonance gizmos (borrow spikes, cones, pucks, etc. - I like the Gingko products). Ask your dealer for a couple of power cords - you will be amazed how these can help. Dont try to get the balance right with this stuff..you are trying to find the magic. I try to stay with neutral sounding wires...I'm using the very inexpensive Anti-Cables after trying out many brands. Nordost can sound a bit bright under certain situations..but thats a different issue. I discovered magic in my system with the right combination of anti resonance gizmos and proper power cords. After you get the CD's to your liking, then work on the turntable.
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