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August 12, 2008 - 7:52am
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Thin Sound - Am I annoying everyone yet?
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The logical answer is that it's your phono amp. Everything else is good stuff and not usually bright. And a TT almost always will sound fuller and less bright than an MP3. See if a friend or dealer will lend you an inexpensive phono amp (like a Pro-ject, or Bellari, etc.) and run it out from that. Good luck.
And you're not being annoying. That's what The Entry Level forum is here for. It's takes way more than just asking a lot of questions to ruffle feathers around this place!
Dude, you're totally not being annoying. No worries.
I agree with Doug; it's likely the phono stage. There's no reason why your records should sound less lush than your mp3s! I'm sure the phono stage in your Marantz is serviceable, but I think you should invest in a quality phono stage (weren't you thinking about an upgrade anyway?)
I was thinking about that Bellari with the USB out to digitize some vinyl anyway, so this may be a good excuse.
Stupid question: If I get the phono pre, I must connect it to another input, like the one for th tuner, right? I have open space for it, but I like the amp saying "phono" when I have it turned to the TT instead of "Tuner" or whatever. I wish everyone just numbered or lettered the the selectors on amps rather than deciding which of your devices should go where. If there was an easy way to bypass the phono stage...
EDIT: The Bellari VP-530 also has a headphone out. I wonder how good it is. If it is a step up from my Marantz, this could get very exciting.
Outside of a defective issue, it may be one of cart loading, which Shure's are famous for needing high capacitance. Too low and you would get a bright sound, I believe.
After the above thread I almost hesitate to bring up the capacitor thing!!!
And, yes, there are some awful bright recordings. If your issues are not a defective phono stage, then do what I do and use your tone controls as needed. Remember, not everyone used the proper RIAA curve and the disc cutter may have errored.
Try a friend's table on your system and see what you get.
You guys rock! The Bellari came in, and it totally solved the problem.
I'm a little concerned that I have to turn the output way up on the Bellari. I think the oyster may be fairly low-output for a MM cart.
Now I just have to convince the boss I still need a Woo Audio WA6...
Excellent!