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Back to analog ..was it a mistake???

Like alot in the 1980s I went totally digital.Took my 300+ album collection and boxed them up never thinking I would venture back.My current digital system is about everything I always wanted.Black background,nice sound stage,fast,clean,detailed yet very musical.The speakers disappear and instument seperation is there and in the correct locations.Vocals are superb on all types of music IMO..
From strong suggestions from my bro I decided to try the analog approach again even though the analog systems Ive heard recently never came close to my setup.I bought a mid 1980s Linn lp12 and did some upgrades to it..Mose/Hercules2,new Akito2 arm,belt,oil,Denon DL160,cables..had it setup correctly.Bought a new Musical Surroundings Phono.Spent days cleaning records.What I have in sound is nothing short of a big dissapointment for the time and money spent.Forgetting the snap,crackle, pop which is very hard to get around the sound stage is nowhere to be found.The speakers no longer disappear,its like taking 10 steps backwards..Yea, I know the Linn isnt the beat all table as well as the phono but something is amiss here.Ive tried a few adjustments and things seem to become a little better but when I do the digital it becomes clear my analog attempt sucks.Am I expecting too much from my new investment back to analog???Is all this analog talk just talk from guys who never had a great digital system??Any positive imput or suggestions is appreciated..Thanks in advance
missioncoonery

Showing 4 responses by daverz

daverz
477 posts
 
You might try some different cartridges before giving up. I'd guess the Denon was undermatched for the table and arm, but one can't really judge this on price alone. I've certainly found the choice of cartridge has meant to difference between heaven and hell.

Well recorded and pressed Lps should give a very pleasingly solid and deep soundstage. I'd say that this is the hallmark of good analog playback, though there are plenty of people that are indifferent to it and care more about things like "PRaT".

Judicious choices of table, arm, cart and pre-amp can reduce surface noise to a level where it doesn't interfere with the enjoyment of the music, at least for me. You can't rescue abused records or bad pressings, though.
daverz
477 posts
 
Franky, the cart is just way overmatched by the rest of the system. You're dealer either gave you bad advice or misjudged your finickyness if they suggested a less than $200 budget for a cart on an over $3000 system.

Audiophiles like to exaggerate the differences between digital components, but the differences are subtle compared to analog components. Differences between analog components are rarely subtle. You have not heard enough to judge the medium.

You do not have to spend thousands or even $500 for a better cart, but you can't expect a "starter" cart to make you happy. I went through about 4 carts, all highly regarded, before I found one that I was really happy with (an under $400 cart).

I would try to get the dealer to loan you a different cart (I would suggest a Dynavector or Benz low output MC). It's not common for dealers to loan carts, but if you make clear how unhappy you are, they might extend you the courtesy, or at least give you some trade-in value on the Denon. There's no point in spending this kind of money and then stopping a few hundred bucks short of acceptable sound.
daverz
477 posts
 
Oh, dear, I don't know who Franky is, I meant "Frankly".
daverz
477 posts
 
I shouldn't have said anything about the quality of the DL160 having not heard it, but I'd still be inclined to assign most of the "blame" for the quality of sound to the cartridge. Cartridges differ hugely in sound, and often tend to be voiced for particular tastes.
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