Do I need a tube amp?

A number of us on the forum also use the wire world extension which is Star earthed, and not unreasonable price to start with.

Wow, thanks guys! I have just picked up a Tacima lead, the Monster power block were out of stock (but still showing available online, may have just fallen for a sales trick). I will move the equipment around this weekend and look for a shelf for the turntable to sit on. 

I got the Unitiqute and speakers as a gift from my father in law a couple of years ago and added the Rega a few months ago on an online purchase. I'm beginning to think maybe I was expecting something different. When listening to music from the hard drive or iradio the sound just seems so much more complete and complex. 

When the turntable arrived the cartridge was already installed and I just had to adjust the arm. I will have a look for a set up record and check that. 

We are moving to Plaisance Du Gers in a few months, it's a somewhat remote part of south west France so am panicking a little to get everything right before we leave. We can get a separate ring main  put in for the stereo, and a few extra for future needs! Im very grateful for all of the replies, thank you. 

Phil

Hi Phil,

I would be looking very closely at your setup and room acoustics.

M

Mr Underhill posted:

Hi Phil,

I would be looking very closely at your setup and room acoustics.

M

Hi M,

  Another complete novice question, what do you mean? As in change some components or change where they are?

Thanks 

Mate, a radial feed, not "ring"...

I’m about to make some sweeping generalisations, so apologies in advance.

What kind of records are in your collection? Do you own lots of vintage pressings from the 1960s and 1970s, or is it predominately recent releases or reissues? I ask because, much as love listening to vinyl, I’ve pretty much stopped buying new releases in the format. Most modern vinyl seems to be ho-hum and hit and miss to me, and I’ve ended up with something that sounds like a CD with scratches too often to justify the price premium. If I was mostly listening to modern pressings, I don’t doubt I’d be finding the warmth of vinyl a bit elusive too.

I don’t include modern, proper audiophile reissues in that sweeping generalisation. There are many niche companies doing sterling work in the all-analogue area, but they don’t tend to get their output in the racks in Sainsbury’s or HMV.

Whatever you do, a cartridge and phonostage swap will have the biggest impact on sound. Radials and cables and whatnot, even if noticeable, will not affect sound as much, especially if your current mains are clean. Improving the current will make stuff cleaner, quieter, less distorted etc. 

But you're missing the vinyl warmth. So, before moving to the remote place, try to audition a different cartridge, such as the Nagaoka mp110. I would stay clear of the Ortofon Red and Audio Technica cartridges, as these are pretty lean sounding. And the Schiit Mani is a great match for the Nagaoka.

Motel Blues posted:

I’m about to make some sweeping generalisations, so apologies in advance.

What kind of records are in your collection? Do you own lots of vintage pressings from the 1960s and 1970s, or is it predominately recent releases or reissues? I ask because, much as love listening to vinyl, I’ve pretty much stopped buying new releases in the format. Most modern vinyl seems to be ho-hum and hit and miss to me, and I’ve ended up with something that sounds like a CD with scratches too often to justify the price premium. If I was mostly listening to modern pressings, I don’t doubt I’d be finding the warmth of vinyl a bit elusive too.

I don’t include modern, proper audiophile reissues in that sweeping generalisation. There are many niche companies doing sterling work in the all-analogue area, but they don’t tend to get their output in the racks in Sainsbury’s or HMV.

I have to admit I have bought some new ones, some that should not have been released as vinyl too! I tend to like older stuff Elton John, Kenny Rogers, Elkie Brooks but haven't yet ventured into classical. Any pointers on where to start with classical? 

Which companies do audiophile vinyls? I would like to have a try of one of them. 

Thanks for your input. 

rainsoothe posted:

Whatever you do, a cartridge and phonostage swap will have the biggest impact on sound. Radials and cables and whatnot, even if noticeable, will not affect sound as much, especially if your current mains are clean. Improving the current will make stuff cleaner, quieter, less distorted etc. 

But you're missing the vinyl warmth. So, before moving to the remote place, try to audition a different cartridge, such as the Nagaoka mp110. I would stay clear of the Ortofon Red and Audio Technica cartridges, as these are pretty lean sounding. And the Schiit Mani is a great match for the Nagaoka.

Thank you. Im going to give the schiit a test run and see if that does the trick. Is there a certain price range or makes of phono amps I should be looking at? Thanks again. 

ph1ll posted:

I have to admit I have bought some new ones, some that should not have been released as vinyl too! I tend to like older stuff Elton John, Kenny Rogers, Elkie Brooks but haven't yet ventured into classical. Any pointers on where to start with classical? 

Which companies do audiophile vinyls? I would like to have a try of one of them. 

Funny you should mention Elton John. Recently I bought an early pressing of his eponymous second album, and the sonics of “Your Song” made for one of those jaw-dropping moments that make all the faff and hassle of vinyl worthwhile. It wasn’t cheap though, and the rest of the album didn’t sound anywhere near as good, but to paraphrase those condescending Find Any Film adverts it was a moment worth paying for.

Given your tastes, perhaps you could look for early pressings of favourite albums to see if they sound more like what you’re expecting from vinyl. Another wild generalisation: a rule of thumb when buying secondhand vinyl is to seek out as early a pressing as possible from the country of origin, the classic example being that if you’re after Beatles albums then original UK pressings would be a good, if expensive, place to start (although the recent mono vinyl reissues, taken straight from the analogue master tapes and in my experience really well pressed and packaged, upset this particular apple cart a little...which is why it’s only a rule of thumb).

I get my used vinyl from EIL (disclaimer: many other sources of secondhand vinyl are available). They certainly know how to charge, and they’ll spam you to high heaven, but their descriptions are accurate in my experience.

Classical: have you tried your local charity shops? Seriously, that looks like where the world’s entire stock of surplus classical vinyl is heading.

Audiphile vinyl (whatever that is): companies that in my experience produce records with care and attention include Mobile Fidelity, Speakers Corner, Pure Pleasure, Music Matters, Analogue Productions. Just be aware that not everything that has a “180 gram audiophile vinyl” sticker on the shrink wrap is going to sound good, but the companies above generally put the effort in.

The problem could be you don't care for the Planar 2.  I have one and I am indifferent about its sound.  I think it's the glass platter that kills it for me.  I prefer the RP1 actually - flatter tonality but a beefier midrange.  You are expecting vinyl magic and it doesn't exist at this price point.  I'm not saying it's a terrible performer, but if you have a good digital setup you're not going to be blown away by the Planar 2 or anything comparably priced.  Sadly I think you have to go "all in" with vinyl or don't bother at all.  I've tried original pressings and current ones with the Planar 2 - it's fine - but I'd rather listen to cd's through a hugo.

ph1ll posted:

rainsoothe posted:

Whatever you do, a cartridge and phonostage swap will have the biggest impact on sound. Radials and cables and whatnot, even if noticeable, will not affect sound as much, especially if your current mains are clean. Improving the current will make stuff cleaner, quieter, less distorted etc. 

But you're missing the vinyl warmth. So, before moving to the remote place, try to audition a different cartridge, such as the Nagaoka mp110. I would stay clear of the Ortofon Red and Audio Technica cartridges, as these are pretty lean sounding. And the Schiit Mani is a great match for the Nagaoka.

Thank you. Im going to give the schiit a test run and see if that does the trick. Is there a certain price range or makes of phono amps I should be looking at? Thanks again. 

People like different characteristics, so in the end it's your own ears that matter. More to the point, though, component matching is very important. So the Mani alone, together with the rega cart, might not sound riggt (never heard the Rega cart, so can't comment). I also would not pair a Mani with ortofon 2m red or AT MLB 440. But with nagaoka, Mani is a great combo.

Alternatives to the Mani are higher priced, but might be worth considering. Arcam, Rega's own, graham slee, jolida, musical surroundings, musical Fidelity.

Ok guys, I have started making the changes and even my partner commented on how much more she could hear! So far I have:

Gave the Naim its own socket

Plugged everything else into a Tacima lead

Realigned the cartridge and weights

Put the speakers on spikes and moved to suit 

Moved some of the equipment

The change is already massive. I don't know which one of the above helped the most but something has definitely changed. Still feel like the sound could change in depth somewhat so am waiting to run a Nagaoka cartridge with a couple of different phono stages. I have taken onboard that I'm only going to be able to get so much out of a Rega P2 and may need to change in the future. Once in France I'm going to look at starting another system with some Focal speakers and will then look at a new table, but this is a good few years away yet! 

Thank you for everybody's feedback, it has definitely helped! 

Phil.