advice with project genie rpm 1

[admin_exported]

Hello all. My sound system includes Cambridge Azurs 540a vs2 amp, 640c vs2 cd player, Denon 1500AE tuner, Rel Quake sub... and, wanting to play again all those vynil records from old, I added a Pro-ject Genie 1. At first, I enjoyed it, listening to music I had almost forgot. The sound was exciting, expansive, and I understood the capabilities of vinyl against CD... But it sounds best with some records. Anyway, I also realized from the first that there was something missing... Perhaps I was expecting too much. The Pro-ject is listenable, but, even though it's a punchy piece of kit, there is some distortion to the sound, some sibilance on the voices and in the highs, and voices sound somewhat 'recoiled', not alive and intimate like my CD player. The Cambridge Azur sound much better, in fact. Is there a way to improve the sound of my turntable?

Thank you all,

L.

 

[drummerman]

I'm no vinyl expert but perhaps a modest external phonostage will get you some benefit. There's a dedicated vinyl section if you fall on dead ears here.

 

[Anonymous]

thanks drummerman but I have an external phonostage, a pro-ject usb, as a matter of fact. I was expecting better sound overall

 

[Henley]

The cartridge is one of the weaker points on a Genie. If you want to lose the sibilance and have a tighter bass then I would upgrade the cartridge. We are not allowed to suggest anything but perhaps other forum members could assist 🙂

 

[gregory]

Is that because you are trade, seems a bit silly not being able to recommend a product because of that, anyway 2m red will improve the genie 1, it's a very good cartridge.

 

[Henley]

gregory:Is that because you are trade, seems a bit silly not being able to recommend a product because of that, anyway 2m red will improve the genie 1, it's a very good cartridge.

Yes, a distrubutor cannot recommend anything in its portfolio. Although it does sound harsh, it stops the less moral ones from touting their wares and abusing the forum. We try to provide technical advice and hope that the regular posters make the product suggestions.

 

[gbhsi1]

The red is a good cartridge but I still experienced some sibilance-get the 2m blue 🙂

 

[gregory]

Not if it's set up right you shouldn't, did you just swap out the stylus on the red for the blue or go the whole hog and got a new cartridge, my red is excellent but if you just swapped it over and you found no issues good on you but it would be good to know.

 

[Sabby]

gregory: 2m red will improve the genie 1, it's a very good cartridge.

Second that. Not experiencing any sibilance problems at all. If there is a problem, check VTA.

 

[gbhsi1]

gregory:Not if it's set up right you shouldn't, did you just swap out the stylus on the red for the blue or go the whole hog and got a new cartridge, my red is excellent but if you just swapped it over and you found no issues good on you but it would be good to know.Straight swap with the stylus..it only happened with some albums with the red but the blue just cleaned it all up. My VTA is fine...I think... as it is level with the turntable?? is this correct?