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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
ptmconsulting
1,000 posts
 
Your anaogue rig is still not "cheese whiz" and I, for one, am amazed that you say CD's sound better. Definitely start from scratch and readjust that table until it's optomized before you spend additional $$$ on anything. It may be your phono stage, but you should still be getting excellent souond out of what you have, with a little effort.

Good luck,
Bob
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Could it be the bass response on the DAC coming through clearly on the new sub? One thing consistently written about this DAC is the dynamic bass response - now you have a sub perhaps you are hearing the full impact?
piedpiper
753 posts
 
It's a good call to find good CD/LP reference recordings. I wouldn't trust any but those made by the same company and preferably from a company that can be relied upon for good sound such as Audioquest. A good choice might be Mighty Sam McLain GIve It Up to Love, or something more acoustically based depending on your taste.

Once you've appropriate discs to compare then you can effectively follow Doug'sexcellent advice.
oregon
608 posts
 
Simple advice (a la Deacon), make sure the stylus is clean.
madfloyd OP
411 posts
 
Just reporting on my progress so far:

So I've tried both phono stages, I've raised VTA until bass got weak. I tried VTF at minimum (1.8g) and removed the dampening fluid (enough so that it doesn't drip from the arm when I lift it up).

All the changes (apart from phono stages) have been somewhat subtle. While it doesn't sound bad, it doesn't have as much 'air' as digital (I've tried various comparisons and it's pretty consistent this way).

I clean my stylus with ME every LP side.

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