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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
cheyenne
5 posts
 
I'm also someone that abandoned vinyl for a while in mid 80's to mid 90's, but I have had a difference experience. I have a Linn LP-12 Valhalla and Dynavector 20xh cartridge. I also own a McIntosh MCD-301 SACD/CD Player (certainly no slouch)and I have literally owned dozens off other CD players and Turntables over the years. My CD player can not match the musicality, detail, involvement and overall satisfaction that the Linn and other good turntables can provide. There is definitely information missing with the digital format and I typically stop listening after 30-45min. All I know is that I have more fun and listen longer with Vinyl and to me that is what its all about. Also MHO is not based on nostalgic feelings for the vinyl format or enjoyment I get from handling it. I'm basically lazy and consider it more of a pain than anything else. After years of careful listening its difficult for me to understand how anyone could enjoy digital more than vinyl aside from the convenience.
mikeyc8
174 posts
 
Hear hear Cheyenne, my sentiments exactly.
headsnappin's avatar
headsnappin
295 posts
 
Norman, the LP12 is not my only deck and is not my favorite deck. I just hear so much misinformation on the subject.
undertow
1,032 posts
 
Missioncoonery
I will offer this in closing.. Supended tables, (metal spring designs) I have found far more finicky and far less substantial in bass foundation, CD like crisp dynamics, and solid soundstage in general...

So whether people like to argue the Linn or AR or whatever classic tables are fine like the next, I have found truth is the solid non suspension tables are far more well "Solid" sounding.. And I experienced similar to you with my first tables being Spring suspended in the past. Its possible that with all these newer Tweak ideas out these days to really mod these tables will help.

I saw a Thorens going for 2000 re-furbed on this site the other day, and one of the highlighted upgrade tweaks now used on that table was to remove the dampers or some type of rubber grommets utilized with the original springs, supposedly causing this table to sound way better than it otherwise possibly could with all other tweaks available today.

I have also found "Soft Puck" approaches under the tables are bad, as well as all the older tables with springs under the Feet as well, much better on solid spikes under it all the way.
Good luck
emorrisiv
312 posts
 
What Undertow says is a common opinion in the analog world. One that I tend to agree with but not always.I have heard excellent suspended designs such as the Basis but I feel that to get a top notch TT with suspension requires more money than a non-suspended. MY VPI HMW-19 employs sorbathane pucks under the plynth for suspension but are so stiff that it is almost non-suspended.
The one thing that occurred to me is that the originator of this string is trying out analog,coming from a digital listening experience with a table that is softer and slower sounding than many. If he had gone for a VPI Scout or a Nottingham he would have been closer to what he likes from the get go. The Linn is a well respected, even maven ed design,but it is old and there has been much improvement over the years.
The Denon is a excellent performer.
I cannot comment on the phono stage.
Personally, I prefer a lomc with a step up transformer to a tube preamp with mm phono section. Much more nuanced and tunable.
Setup is indeed extremely important, I saw little to no talk of loading or VTA/VTF. Getting the overhang is just the beginning.
I must confess in closing, that I too am a analog devotee with strong opinions on how best things are done(like most of us),but I would say that if you like digital better, go back to it. Just more vinyl left for us old guys.

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