NEED THORENS/ DIY EXPERTS!
Hi All,
Completed most of the so-called Chadwick Mods (and others) over the course of the last few weeks. Dynamat damping (under deck) cork damping (TT sub-deck), top deck dynamat around subplatter, remove sponge rubber from springs, clean and adjust springs,replace bottom board w/ 3/4" Aspen wood. Replace stock TT mat. (used quality felt- type material.)
OTHER MODS: Spike feet, BREN-1 TT clamp, careful TT leveling, properly aligned Stanton 681eee cartridge w/new Pickering NOS D625. Interconnects replaced with interchangeable Wire World Horizons, cardas rear plinth mounted RCA's..
The "problem", although I don't think its really considered a problem, is that the TT sound has changed quite dramatically. Of course, wow/ flutter has almost disappeared completely. Thats VERY good! The bass has lowered to absolutely TIGHT down at LEAST another octave. Noise floor/ background is substantially better.
SO, whats wrong? I feel like the sound is almost tooo "Tight", if that's the proper description. The higher bass registers, the frequencies I would guess around 200-400 Hz has been subdued / suppressed to the point of seemingly losing some body and "PRAT", for lack of a better term. The sub-bass, however is TREMENDOUS and clean. I just feel like there is a bit of a "hole" in that range that is SO important for most modern music. Of course, my subwoofer IS a TRUE sub woofer, an SVS tube, tuned to around 80 Hz. so it is not helping much in my perceived sound "hole". I guess it's a little of that Thorens "personality" , or sound, that has been diminished somewhat.
Any suggestions for fixing this dilemma? The plusses seem to far outweigh the negatives, so all in all it was worthwhile work, and a lot of it. I can hear what a modern TT that costs a couple grand probably sounds like. The sound almost took on some digital qualities while still retaining a lot of analog warmth and resonating deep sub bass.
I'm thinking- maybe something like adding a 8" subwoofer to pick up some of that range? Any other tuning things or mods I can try? Don't want to spend a lot of money. I already have quite a bit into this project!
An interesting dilemma.
Looking forward to some input.
Thanks All!
Gary
