Looking for flesh on the bones

[ejk]

I have an Xpression III with a Denon DL110 cartridge. I'm using a Jolida JD9 pre with Sovtek LPS tubes. I know its not really broken in yet but I'm looking for a meatier sound , something with more weight. I have a tube pre and a tube hybrid amp but the sound from the turntable is a little thin and metalic sounding. Everything is set up correctly on my TT so there is no problem with the set up. I'm thinking it just might be the quality of the Xpression. Not sure. Any input ?

[Alec124c41]

Give it some running time.
If you are using a felt mat, try a DIY leather one.

Cheers,
Alec

[banerjba]

The Project tables are lean. I am listening to my 2Xperience through a tube pre as well and changed the tubes to Mullard reissue 12 ax7. Much fuller than the stock Shuguang tubes. What speakers do you have?

[ejk]

The Project tables are lean. I am listening to my 2Xperience through a tube pre as well and changed the tubes to Mullard reissue 12 ax7. Much fuller than the stock Shuguang tubes. What speakers do you have?

My speakers are Aether Audio.

[ejk]

Give it some running time.
If you are using a felt mat, try a DIY leather one.

Cheers,
Alec

I'm not using a mat. Should I ? I thought they say no on an acryllic platter

[ejk]

The Project tables are lean. I am listening to my 2Xperience through a tube pre as well and changed the tubes to Mullard reissue 12 ax7. Much fuller than the stock Shuguang tubes. What speakers do you have?

Are these the Mullards you are using ?


http://thetubestore.com/mu12ax7.html

[ejk]

Does anyone know if I can safely use a 12au7 in the Jolida jd9?

[octaneTom]

Hmmm....I found that the Jolida solved a lot of the thinness I was experiencing w/ my Xpression and DL-110.

How are you loading the DL-110? I found in my system the Denon sounded a lot better at 1k - definitely more mid-bass and a beefier sound.

I picked up the Jolida used and it has a pair of RCA 12ax7s in place of the stock tubes, so I'm not sure what effect that may have had. I've heard the Mullard reissues are where it's at, so after the holidays I'm going to get a pair and play around a bit more.

And lastly - I recently picked up a gently used Ortofon 2M Blue to compare/contrast w/ the 110 and at first I didn't like it as much as the Denon - the sound was once again a bit think and missing mid-bass. But now that it's broken in a bit I think it sounds heavier and fuller on the bottom-end, so I might be sticking with that instead of the Denon. Not saying your 110 isn't a good match though - seems I've read quite a few people enjoying the pairing.

And here's a thread on your tube question:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=351420

[ejk]

Hmmm....I found that the Jolida solved a lot of the thinness I was experiencing w/ my Xpression and DL-110.

How are you loading the DL-110? I found in my system the Denon sounded a lot better at 1k - definitely more mid-bass and a beefier sound.

I picked up the Jolida used and it has a pair of RCA 12ax7s in place of the stock tubes, so I'm not sure what effect that may have had. I've heard the Mullard reissues are where it's at, so after the holidays I'm going to get a pair and play around a bit more.

And lastly - I recently picked up a gently used Ortofon 2M Blue to compare/contrast w/ the 110 and at first I didn't like it as much as the Denon - the sound was once again a bit think and missing mid-bass. But now that it's broken in a bit I think it sounds heavier and fuller on the bottom-end, so I might be sticking with that instead of the Denon. Not saying your 110 isn't a good match though - seems I've read quite a few people enjoying the pairing.

And here's a thread on your tube question:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=351420

What other settings are you using ? I'm using dip switches 4 and 8 on and gain switches off with outout 2

[octaneTom]

With the DL-110 I followed this advice with really good results:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showth ... ost4763324

That was switch 3 ON and everything else OFF with the output running through the HI OUT section.

Here's a cheat sheet:

[ejk]

Thanks Tom. I will try it that way. I'm going to listen with the Sovtek tubes and then try some 12au7's I have laying around. Let me/us know how the Mullards turn out

[Alec124c41]

Give it some running time.
If you are using a felt mat, try a DIY leather one.

Cheers,
Alec

I'm not using a mat. Should I ? I thought they say no on an acryllic platter

A thin piece of leather should only cost a few bucks, and will change the sound slightly. You might like it.

Cheers,
Alec

[banerjba]

The Project tables are lean. I am listening to my 2Xperience through a tube pre as well and changed the tubes to Mullard reissue 12 ax7. Much fuller than the stock Shuguang tubes. What speakers do you have?

Are these the Mullards you are using ?


http://thetubestore.com/mu12ax7.html

Correct!