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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
missioncoonery OP
732 posts
 
Timeltel
Yes, Ive tried playing with the tracking force more than a few times.The cartridge has now about 60-70 hours on it and was told it would be broken in at around 25-40 hours.The Linn dealer who BTW did not sell me the cartridge but only suggested it told me that the DL160 is by no means cheap and under performing the table even though it was $180.00. Yes it isnt up to snuff with some of the above mentioned cartridges but given my funds it excells.The alignment and overhang have been checked several times as well.It does sound better than when I first started no doubt thanks to help from this site.My mistake I think is comparing it to the digital side.I also think when funds are available ill step up to a better cartridge and see what happens..
fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
334 posts
 
There are huge variations in the sound of vinyl. Bigger than the differences with modern era (last ten years) digital. Are you sure you have a really good sounding piece of vinyl to audition your rig with? If not certain, borrow something from a friend who knows vinyl. BTW, most modern vinyl sounds worse and not better than the recordings of thirty years ago. Last night I pulled out an old B52s album from my college days-the eponymous first album that starts with "Planet Claire". I'm not even sure it's mine-I don't recall being into the B-52s then, and I am not that into them now. But damned did it sound impressive-I enjoyed it immensely (so I guess I am into them now, in a manner of speaking).
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.
beachcruiser
5 posts
 
Don't give up on vinyl. I was just listening to a radio interview of Steven
Stills , an accomplished musical person with no agenda and a lot of various and currant listening experience, I would assume. Can't vouch for his hearing, I'm not crazy, and the interviewer did mention that "uncle Fuzzy " was not here tonight, the smart guy Stills was here tonight.

In the course of the conversation it came up that digital was inferior to vinyl. The opinion was that the sound was warmer, sounded better. tills mentioned "tubes and vinyl" specifically as the best. Just an opinion , and hear is in your head, so thereis no correct answer, as you know.

I think your table set up should be reviewed. Don't spend any money until you are completely satisfied that your table is level , etc. Many with a lot of advice to give also post later on that they have "opened up a new insight" or something like that when they finally understand that their carts were mis- aligned. Without an alignment gauge and a level that you can work with repeatable results, you have no chance for vinyl excellence.
thuchan
955 posts
 
Hi Missioncoonery,

you should stop vinyl - it might take you into deep emotional risks and huge investments on time and... You really want this? :-)
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