No real weight or dynamics...

[Chopsrr]

I have been finding this lately on all of my older LP's from the 70's and 80's.

Records like Phil Collins, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Bryan Adams, Dire Straights, Foreigner, etc, etc, etc. On my current setup, it all lacks that punchy, deep bass and the overall dynamics. It just ins't there. It's like listening to FM vs CD. Everything just seems to be "leveled out" and the bass lean.

I know it's not the recordings as I have had these LP's for years and years, and have heard them on both my oldest brother's systems over the years as well as the various systems of my own over the years.

I know it's not the turntable or cartridge as I've had this same exact setup years ago in my past systems as well as hearing this same combo in my father's system and my brother's system(s).

I know it's not my receiver or speakers because on other sources such as TV, CD, cassette tape or Pandora, there's plenty of punch and dynamics, and these speakers are more than capable of delivering the goods when the goods are there to be had.

Speaking of cassette tapes, I can play the tapes of these same exact records on my Nakamichi RX-303 that my brother recorded on his Nakamichi Dragon back in the early to mid 80's and there's plenty of bass, impact and dynamics like there's supposed to be, yet coming straight off of the vinyl, it's just blah and boring.

Tonal-wise, everything sounds fine. The sound stage could be a little wider and deeper, but it's not too bad. Vocals, and imaging are good too.

Now on a couple of my much newer albums from Depeche Mode ('05 and '07), there's some really really deep bass and this setup has absolutely no problems what so ever reproducing them, either with the Stanton cart or the Signet. There's loads of deep, detailed bass and it easily rattles the windows and shakes the couch.

I don't know what's causing this, and it's rather upsetting. I don't think it's the ART phono preamp as everyone loves the sound of it, including myself. Heck, even on my last system using the Accuphase preamp and the Technics, Denon, Luxman AND Miracord, there was great bass punch and dynamics.

I'm at a loss here and don't know what to do. Any thoughts?

[steve195527]

if you know its not your turntable set up,receiver or speakers you have narrowed the possible culprits down to just one component(I think):- your memory,perhaps you're remembering these albums with rose tinted ears and they just sound lacking in dynamics just because newer albums are in general just more dynamic(digital recording and all that!)

[Chopsrr]

if you know its not your turntable set up,receiver or speakers you have narrowed the possible culprits down to just one component(I think):- your memory,perhaps you're remembering these albums with rose tinted ears and they just sound lacking in dynamics just because newer albums are in general just more dynamic(digital recording and all that!)

Speaking of cassette tapes, I can play the tapes of these same exact records on my Nakamichi RX-303 that my brother recorded on his Nakamichi Dragon back in the early to mid 80's and there's plenty of bass, impact and dynamics like there's supposed to be, yet coming straight off of the vinyl, it's just blah and boring.

[steve195527]

if you know its not your turntable set up,receiver or speakers you have narrowed the possible culprits down to just one component(I think):- your memory,perhaps you're remembering these albums with rose tinted ears and they just sound lacking in dynamics just because newer albums are in general just more dynamic(digital recording and all that!)

Speaking of cassette tapes, I can play the tapes of these same exact records on my Nakamichi RX-303 that my brother recorded on his Nakamichi Dragon back in the early to mid 80's and there's plenty of bass, impact and dynamics like there's supposed to be, yet coming straight off of the vinyl, it's just blah and boring.

but are they recorded using different cartridge/turntable set up?you're not comparing older recording to newer both recorded via same equipment?could your older albums be knackered(worn out) and his copies be in good nick?:-I have two copies of Rumours,one a 1st day issue the other bought years later:-the older one sounds far better/more dynamic not sure why,thought it was due to it possibly being re-cut using copy masters,I know zep 3 was and older copies sound far better than later ones even if worn,just shows that even two versions of the same album can sound different

[Jim C]

Just a thought you might try better isolating you componants .I reasently replaced footers on receiver with silicone lap top cooler balls (1 ball splits in 2 parts,radio shack.), also put 3 of them under TT platform.For me this tweek may help to give you some of the slam back on thinner sounding recordings,over all very nice improvement. Cheers Jim

[Chopsrr]

but are they recorded using different cartridge/turntable set up?you're not comparing older recording to newer both recorded via same equipment?could your older albums be knackered(worn out) and his copies be in good nick?:-I have two copies of Rumours,one a 1st day issue the other bought years later:-the older one sounds far better/more dynamic not sure why,thought it was due to it possibly being re-cut using copy masters,I know zep 3 was and older copies sound far better than later ones even if worn,just shows that even two versions of the same album can sound different

Same exact records, they are his that I have. Same cart(s), same table for most of the recordings.

The records are mint and I've played them recently on my other system and everything sounded perfect.

On that note, I've made a few tweaks to the system and the sound is a lot better now. Adjusting a little here and there.

[happylad]

I had this problem for over 20 years ( im serious ! ) and it started when I changed from my much loved Quad 34 / 405 -2 combo with it's lovely tone controls to a all valve set up ( various tube /valve pre and power amps). My cd sounded fantastic but vinyl always sounded a bit flat and lacking bass . There were lp's that did sound good but most lacked dynamics and weight , I went through 4 turntable's ( Linn lp12 , Space deck , Garrard 401 and Origin live ) countless cartridges and 5 arms plus several phono stages all to no avail . In the end I finally settled the problem by buying a Rel sub woofer suddenly vinyl sounded as I " Remembered " it. I should point out I was using proac super towers which have a frequency response of 30hz -25khz , with the sub woofer in all is good , even the top end sound's smoother

[gg383]

I just finished setting up a Shure M97XE on my Dual 510 and I'm pleased but not overwhelmed with the results!!! It does have to break in tho. The KLH 9915 speakers may not help much tho either! I got some other sets in the basement I may bring up to compare with. The KLH do sound good with most of my fresher vinyl but the punch on most older records is not there. I think that my ears are hearing a little less and lots of my old vinyl is damaged and giving out a little less. Thinking about it tho, I think we are influenced by some of the new car units that blast out and rattle your windows and forget that even our best systems had only 10% to maybe 50% of that power. I was at my neighbors the other night and his 10" sub woofer out of the box weighed as much as one of my KLH speakers in the box!! He has multiple amps and has rewired the car and added an extra battery to get all this done. I'll just enjoy what I have while I still have some hearing!! Glenn.