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August 6, 2018 - 9:55am
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Vinyl / CD sound
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If it easy to spot the weak link, you probably wouldn't be asking this. Kudos on putting together a nice system.
You have pretty excellent digital equipment that is going to deliver highly refined sound. To get performance in-line with your DAC and CD, I think you are going to need to step the whole vinyl rig forward.
Based on a quick scan of reviews, a stock Systemdek was not the best table. It an be modded and turned into a "frankendek" that will deliver in line with any sub $8K table but it sounds like the stock model has some issues, especially with the motor. Extra vibration may be causing your issue.
The tone arm is lovely but like all Linn products is evidently finicky. Good but needs to be perfect setup to get the most out of it.
I would also argue that the Cartridge and Phono Stage would be holding you back slightly.
For me, I am both lazy and cheap and these and i scenarios like this, they run in conflict. The best thing you can do is begin isolating your issues. The easiest item to swap is the phono stage but IMO this is least likely. Same with the cartridge. Unfortunately, the place to start is the table as that seems like the more likely issue.
There are resources out there and you can get motor mods and other new parts for your Systemdek that will improve the sound or you can but a new table. I would look at the Rega P3 or the Music Hall MMF 5.3. I personally like the Rega better but that is strictly personal taste thought the Rega tone arm would be a nice big step forward from the Linn. Rega makes unbelievable tonearms for the money.
I would buy the P3 or Music Hall from an on-line retailer like NeedleDoctor or Music Direct with a generous return policy. Install your 2M Blue, see if your sound improves. If it does, you know it was your table and you can either sell it or return the P3 and start modding it. If the P3 delivers the same flawed sound, then you know it is the cartridge or the phono stage. A more refined cartridge like a Rega Exact2 will get you much closer to CD sound but that should be closing the final 5%-10% gap vs. it sounding muffled and dead.
[quote=Sossages]What would be the first thing to do to improve the sound from my vinyl to be of comparable quality to CD? I am somewhat ignorant of and lack any breadth of experience in different components.
A while back I treated myself to a new HIFI - the Cambridge CX and MA Silver 8. I have subsequently brought over my turntable from my 30 year old Pioneer A400 / Castle Chester system, fitting a new stylus and phono preamp. The sound from an LP is enjoyable enough on it’s own but is muffled, flat and lacking detail when compared to CD.
System;-
Systemdek IIX
Linn Basik LV X
Ortofon 2M Blue
Project Phono Box USB V
Cambridge
CXA80
CXC
CXN
Are you saying that you HAVE the Linn now?
That is confusing. I will ignore that.
I suggest that you get a Music Hall MMF 2.3 Turntable and use the Ortophon 2m Blue cartridge.
That will give very good sound; better than your CD sound in all probability, and at a very reasonable price.
If you want even more, go for the Ortophon Bronze.
@bierfeldt
Thank you for your comprehensive and researched reply.
Oh dear! I had hoped to be told something simple like the phono stage is too basic and holding things back. Move up to X and all my dreams would come alive….
I confess I am not surprised by your conclusions though. I purchased the Systemdek / Linn 2nd hand from a retailer back in the late 1980s for £275. I have therefore had it all of my adult life and I am nothing if not a sentimentalist. It was manufactured just up the road from where I live by a father and 2 sons and it’s oak finish suits nicely its location and so for these irrational reasons I am loathe to part with it. It seems I am not alone;-
https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_reviews.php?make=Systemdek&model=IIX
When the father retired Systemdek was sold to Audio Note and the IIX became their acclaimed TT1
The 2 sons now manufacture high end bespoke speakers (Acoustic Reproduction Technology) and so I contacted them to see if they would service my IIX as it hadn’t been used for a number of years and they being local. They asked me to check a couple of things - which were fine - and so I was told the only thing it may need was a new belt and even that not necessarily.
As you say “It an be modded and turned into a "frankendek" that will deliver in line with any sub $8K table” and so this is the slippery slope upon which I will look to embark. From effort (and cash) may come reward…
@ commsysman
Yes the Linn is the tonearm fitted to the Systemdek on my current system
I’m not sure the Music Hall is available here in Blighty
Several forums talk about mods to that deck. Seems like the motor upgrade is the one most people pursue first. The stock motor evidently generated some vibrations so replacing the motor and maybe check the bearing. Those would be two places I would look first.
I wish it was as simple as crappy phono stage or cartridge. Those are likely costing you a little resolution but should not be making the sound muffled. Good luck to you