Is it the vinyl or the system?

Posted by: Dan M on 19 February 2002

Hello, this is my first post, so please take it easy. I'm trying to figure out if some of the dissatisfaction I am having with certain records has to do with my system (music hall 2.1/nait I/tukans) or the quality of the vinyl. While most of the time records sound pretty amazing to my ears (especially for jazz/female vocals/acoustic guitar), on some records it sounds incredibly harsh or looses that 'presence'. For example I was playing Hendrix's 'Hey Joe' and it just sounded wrong - sort of grating. Now, I was playing a $2- used copy. Another example is on large orchestral pieces the music can be somewhat of a let down - less life like, if you know what I mean. So, my question is, 'is my system running out of gas, or is it just revealing bad quality media?' My feeling is the front end needs to be upgraded - the 2.1 is similar to an entry level Project. I'm leaning towards a P3 even though they are priced $300 over their UK price. TIA for any advice/suggestions,

Dan

Posted on: 19 February 2002 by Andrew Randle
A Rega P3 is good, but so too is a Pro-Ject equivalent. In fact, a Pro-Ject may be priced more competitively.

Have you had your stylus looked at. The other problem is that your turntable might not be situated on a single dedicated support. Piling equipment and shelves below a turntable does have the effect of accentuating treble on bright recordings - you need a dedicated 1-tier table.

Try a single-tier table and you will be amazed.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 19 February 2002 by davewarehouse
Second hand vinyl is a very good way to find recordings, assuming they're in pristine condition. The same goes for second hand turntables. A tidy but older LP12/Axis/manticore etc etc should be yours for the price of a new Rega!
Posted on: 19 February 2002 by Tony L
quote:
So, my question is, 'is my system running out of gas, or is it just revealing bad quality media?'

I nearly always blame the system rather than the actual record – a good system should get most music to work pretty well.

The key thing you omit in your system list is what cartridge you are using, many lower priced MM carts can sound pretty horrible when the going gets tough. I don’t know anything at all about your Music Hall turntable, so can’t comment on how much different a P3 would be, though I can happily recommend that deck in its price class. Personally I think a Nait and Tukans deserves just a little more…

Has your Nait 1 ever been serviced? Certain electronic components have a finite lifespan, and Naim recommend servicing every ten years or so (a Nait 1 has to be at least fifteen years old). This may well account for some of the sound that you are hearing. I have a Nait 1 in my second system, and I am sure I can hear it asking for a service. It is a great amp nonetheless, and it will eventually get that service! The service will cost anything up to 100 UKP, and it’s worth it.

The Nait is a cracking amp, and will happily make use of a very high spec source – I’m currently running a Nait 2 in my main system with a P9 / MC25FL / Microgroove and a CDX upstream and the little amp really does work some magic with a source of this calibre.

What about landing a nice second hand LP12 or Xerxes? I realise these cost way more in the states, but even so either would make a real difference, and give you way more bang per buck than anything else I could think of. IMHO your amp and speakers are sorted it only leaves the front end that needs any resource sinking into it. The Rega P25 is a competent deck that shouldn’t break the bank second hand too… I would certainly aim for a genuine upgrade rather than a sidestep from your Music Hall to a P3.

Tony.

Posted on: 19 February 2002 by Dan M
A thank you to everyone for the advice. It seems as though there is a consensus that I should look into improving the source, whether it be the turntable or what it sits on. The cartridge I'm
using is a Grado prestige blue MM. While I think the P3 is probably a significant step up from the Music Hall 2.1 (glass platter vs stamped metal, nicer arm, etc.), you've got me thinking I should check out the second hand market, which is where I got the Nait and the Tukans. FWIW, the P25 here (US) costs around $1275 or about UKP890, which is quite a mark up over UK prices. LP12's do show up on ebay, but I'm a little concerned about shipping
and quality. I'll be in the UK in a few months - does anyone know of dealers there that have a good stock on used LP12 and would do a carefull job of
shipping?

Tony, my Nait 1 may need a service. I had recently emailed Naim UK, who said 50-70 UKP for a service,
but they also said I should send it to NANA. NANA
told me it was probably not worth it since a service could cost $300 or more depending on what
they found.

Dan

Posted on: 19 February 2002 by davewarehouse
If you are coming over to the UK in the not too far distant future it may be worth postponing your purchase. The UK is full of second hand Sondeks, especially the lower spec variety, as avid fans constantly upgrade their decks.
I'm sure if you post a message a week or so before you set off for good ol' blighty we can all sniff out some potential LP12s on the secondhand circuit.
Posted on: 20 February 2002 by Phil Barry
What gets me to upgrade may be exaclty what you're experiencing - congestion when playing loud complex music.

Upgrades anywhere in the chain can help, but it's the source changes that have the most impact, so I think you're on the right track.

Regards.

Phil