Sorry I keep having questions pop up, but being new to the hi-fi thing, I can't help it. I always try to google/forum search first, by the way. Sometimes I don't know what terminology to use to frame the question, so that can be problematic. In any case, I appreciate everyone's advice - you've helped tremendously. Seriously. I'd be lost.
Now, for my question: I noticed listening to my K701s on my Marantz Pm7001 (integrated amp), that the sound was a bit harsh and thin (I'm trying to explain the best I can). I thought it was just the 'phones at first, but when I A/B'd them with my MP3 player and TT(Rega P2), the MP3 source sounded fuller (albeit muddy/muddled).
I also discovered that this changes somewhat depending on the recording. When I checked the new Mofi issue of Master of Puppets (heavy metal/thrash) against my mp3 player (about 192k/vbr from CD), this was the most pronounced: there are still mp3 artifacts and things sound muddled compared to the LP, and there was much better separation from the LP, but the LP also sounded much brighter and harsher.
Then I checked Iron & Wine Shepherd's Dog and the brightness was either non-existent or much less pronounced, and the LP source sounded more detailed and had a bigger soundstage.
Moving on to Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left - Back to square one. LP sounded thin and bright.
I came up with four possibilities, please opine:
(1) The recordings are bad (or I have poor tastes in what a record should sound like)
(2) Headphone amp (least likely at this point, because of the A/B tests above. It was at night and I couldn't to the test with the speakers to rule this out).
(3) Phono Preamp (I just use the integrated phono stage)
(4) Cartridge
I might test classical or jazz tonight.
Here's my gear:
Rega P2 w/Sumiko Oyster Cart
Marantz PM7001
ProAc Tablette 2000 Bookshelf speakers
AKG K701 headphones
iPod 80gb (5.5 gen)
Sorry I keep having questions pop up, but being new to the hi-fi thing, I can't help it. I always try to google/forum search first, by the way. Sometimes I don't know what terminology to use to frame the question, so that can be problematic. In any case, I appreciate everyone's advice - you've helped tremendously. Seriously. I'd be lost.
Now, for my question: I noticed listening to my K701s on my Marantz Pm7001 (integrated amp), that the sound was a bit harsh and thin (I'm trying to explain the best I can). I thought it was just the 'phones at first, but when I A/B'd them with my MP3 player and TT(Rega P2), the MP3 source sounded fuller (albeit muddy/muddled).
I also discovered that this changes somewhat depending on the recording. When I checked the new Mofi issue of Master of Puppets (heavy metal/thrash) against my mp3 player (about 192k/vbr from CD), this was the most pronounced: there are still mp3 artifacts and things sound muddled compared to the LP, and there was much better separation from the LP, but the LP also sounded much brighter and harsher.
Then I checked Iron & Wine Shepherd's Dog and the brightness was either non-existent or much less pronounced, and the LP source sounded more detailed and had a bigger soundstage.
Moving on to Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left - Back to square one. LP sounded thin and bright.
I came up with four possibilities, please opine:
(1) The recordings are bad (or I have poor tastes in what a record should sound like)
(2) Headphone amp (least likely at this point, because of the A/B tests above. It was at night and I couldn't to the test with the speakers to rule this out).
(3) Phono Preamp (I just use the integrated phono stage)
(4) Cartridge
I might test classical or jazz tonight.
Here's my gear:
Rega P2 w/Sumiko Oyster Cart
Marantz PM7001
ProAc Tablette 2000 Bookshelf speakers
AKG K701 headphones
iPod 80gb (5.5 gen)