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turntable newbie: need advice for better sound

Recently bought on Amazon the Technics SL 1200MK and a Shure M97XE cartridge to go with it. Got an old guy in a record shop to set it up for me. Got it home and... I'm very ambivalent about the sound. While the soundstage is wide and there is definitely "air" between the different sounds, there is very little detail--sometimes I can't even tell what instrument I'm listening to. There is also a dullness (perhaps "darkness") to the sound and a lack of 3-Dimensionality despite the wideness of the soundstage. what else? Some distortion.

I learned enough to successfully change the tracking force from 1.25 (with the M97XE brush down) to 1.50 (with the brush down) and that actually got rid of a little distortion. Even that, however, makes me a little suspicious since 1.25 is supposed to be optimal.

ANYWAY, I'm looking for better sound. Any thoughts, advice?

The Technics is wired directly to a Mcintosh MA6500 and plays through Sonus Faber floor standing Concertos.
d2_lamay
d2_lamay OP
4 posts
 
After reading the last two messages, I've decided to email KAB. Can I ship my table to them?

I have two records right now (with a bunch from my folks on the way). Both are new and were released within the past two years or so. One is The Editors "An End Has a Start" which is 33 1/2 rpm. I move the tone lever up one line for that. The other is Low "Drums and Guns" which is 33 rpm.
swampwalker's avatar
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swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
As far as I know, there are no 33 1/2 or 33 rpm LPs. They are 33 1/3, often called 33 rpm. I'm assumming that the Tone Lever is some sort of speed adjustment. You should leave it at factory standard, or set it w a strobe.
sounds_real_audio
677 posts
 
I haven't worked with Shure cartridges in over 30 years. That it probably a high output cartridge. I don't sell Mckintosh either so not sure about the phono stage but I would check to make sure you have a Moving Magnet cartridge and a phono input for Moving Magnet cartridges. Check you manual. Good luck.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
This issue sounds like one of set-up/installation rather than equipment. A Shure
cart into a MAC integrated amp should produce very good sound.
jallen
502 posts
 
The Shure cartridge is a bit dark and will not be a brilliant sound, say like a Sumiko BPS. Try isolating the table a bit better, and raising the VTA a bit, say just above parallel to the record. Be certain the table is level, very level. IMHO, all Shure cartridges track well, but sound dark and a bit smeared together. Jallen
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