A35460073B
01-05-2009, 02:35 AM
Hello folks, I have a Pro-ject Xpression MkII turntable with a Benz Micro MC20E2 cartridge. They're both about 2.5 years old now, with modest playing time. Some records play very well. Aside from some staticky pops and cracks, they're detailed (especially after a bath from my Nitty Gritty guy) and pleasantly balanced. They're a tad bright, however, but I wouldn't say they're out-of-balance or fatiguing to listen to. I'd say that the cartridge merely emphasizes details and the upper frequencies. Overall, with a good record, my system sounds decent, to these ears anyway, for a low-end system. That being said...
Not all records sound great. Some sound spitty. Some sound spitty or nasally at the inner grooves, which made me worry about alignment issues (altho I had a pro attach my cartridge who seemed like he could do it in his sleep). And some, as previously mentioned, sound great all the way through. (I've noted inconsistencies in CD playback too. My "ID4" CD soundtrack doesn't sound as good as some of my rock LPs, while other CDs sound just plain fine. This indicates to me that not all master recordings are alike.)
Any theories or ideas? Could it just be that some records have aged or were never recorded especially well in the studio -- as mentioned in the last paragraph? Or is it possible that if there is an alignment issue, it only manifests itself some of the time?? At the inner grooves, the tonearm swings maybe a half an inch or more back after its lever is lifted. But in the outer grooves, it's just fine, going up or down perfectly. Could this be an issue?
I'd hate to have to have this thing realigned or to have to buy a new cartridge and re-digitize all my vinyl (one major reason I bought this Pro-ject guy). But I'm also a perfectionist who simply cannot settle on less than what some hard work and perseverance will produce, so I will ultimately do what needs to be done. But is anything necessary to "do" at all? Are all these inconsistencies typical for the world of vinyl?
Thanks folks.
Not all records sound great. Some sound spitty. Some sound spitty or nasally at the inner grooves, which made me worry about alignment issues (altho I had a pro attach my cartridge who seemed like he could do it in his sleep). And some, as previously mentioned, sound great all the way through. (I've noted inconsistencies in CD playback too. My "ID4" CD soundtrack doesn't sound as good as some of my rock LPs, while other CDs sound just plain fine. This indicates to me that not all master recordings are alike.)
Any theories or ideas? Could it just be that some records have aged or were never recorded especially well in the studio -- as mentioned in the last paragraph? Or is it possible that if there is an alignment issue, it only manifests itself some of the time?? At the inner grooves, the tonearm swings maybe a half an inch or more back after its lever is lifted. But in the outer grooves, it's just fine, going up or down perfectly. Could this be an issue?
I'd hate to have to have this thing realigned or to have to buy a new cartridge and re-digitize all my vinyl (one major reason I bought this Pro-ject guy). But I'm also a perfectionist who simply cannot settle on less than what some hard work and perseverance will produce, so I will ultimately do what needs to be done. But is anything necessary to "do" at all? Are all these inconsistencies typical for the world of vinyl?
Thanks folks.