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No deep bass or highs: VTF or VTA issue?

Background:

I've been using JM Lab Micro Utopia monitors and recently added a sub (via Bryston outboard crossover). Used my music server to dial in the sub (for convenience) and after dialing it in I noticed that my analog rig is not sounding anywhere as good as my digital.

I tried comparing a few LPs to their digital counterparts and in comparison the LPs sounded dark and sluggish.

Relevant equipment:

Analog:
- Dynavector XV-1s
- Scoutmaster / JMW 9 Signature / SDS / Super platter etc
- Aesthetix Rhea Signature with NOS tubes

Digital:
Music server -> Benchmark DAC

I used a Mint tractor to align the cartridge, and the VTF on the XV-1s is around 2.0g. I had never done anything about VTA, so I tried raising it. It got somewhat brighter, but now in comparison it lacks deep bass AND the highs of the digital version. Switching back and forth it's like the vinyl is just midrange (that's an exaggeration to illustrate my point).

I also have a Manley Steelhead phono stage; I should probably swap that with the Rhea to make sure the phono stage isn't the culprit but my gut tells me that it's the setup.

Any advice on what adjustments to try would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
madfloyd
almarg's avatar
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almarg
8,673 posts
 
I looked at the specs on your cartridge, and with an inductance of only 18 microHenries it's performance should be pretty much independent of loading. The specs I was looking at (at the AudioCubesII site) simply recommend a load resistance of greater than 30 ohms, with no further specification. Capacitance shouldn't matter either.

So assuming your geometries are reasonably correct I'd definitely try it with the other phono stage.

Regards,
-- Al
elinor's avatar
elinor
271 posts
 
Have you checked platter speed rotation with a strobe and strobe light? I see you are using the VPI SDS Motor Controller. If the platter runs slowly, the sound would be sluggish and muddy. I am not indicating the platter runs inconsistently, just slow. Have you ruled out damage to your stylus?
madfloyd OP
411 posts
 
Tried it quickly with the Steelhead and deep bass was present.

Still a little dark sounding though, so I think I need to play with VTA/VTF.

Thanks to all.
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,430 posts
 
FWIW, I've listened to the Dynavector XV-1s through a Rhea in a friend's system. No trouble with deep bass in his setup. The sound of the XV-1s is somewhat dark to my ears, though, in the three different systems where I've heard it.
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dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
If your XV-1s is fairly new, I would suggest running it around 2.1 grams or so for the first 100 hours or so, and keep the arm level. Mine is a few years old now. I usually run it between 1.87 and 1.93. My arm is just slightly tail up. Nick Doshi set the loading for my XV-1s at 100 ohms when he built my Alaap phonostage. This cartridge definitely does not sound dark through my system. It doesn't sound any brighter or darker than a ZYX Universe I have also heard in my system.

It was my Rhea that Swampwalker heard, or at least one of the one's he heard. It was rather bumped out in the mid-range, with the lows and highs seeming to be held back or rolled off. Noisy as well. To be fair the Rhea I owned was from the first year or so of that model.
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