Castle Knight 3 speakers

[Gavlar55]

I have a NAD C350 amp and was using an old pair of Mission speakers. The sound was good/ok with CDs and LPs. Unfortunately the Missions got damaged so I got some Castle Knight 3 speakers off EBay. They sound fantastic when playing CDs, the bass is amazing and a joy to listen too, however when playing LPs not so good, tinny and lacking depth. So strange as the sound playing CDs is so good. Does anyone know what is going wrong here. Should I upgrade the speaker cables or just change the speakers.

 

[Integralista]

Hi Gavlar, which turntable and cartridge are you using? If I understand right, NAD 350 is not equiped with phono preamp inside amp. So how do you listen to turntable? Which preamp do you use? BR.

 

[Gavlar55]

Thanks for reply. I have a nad PP 2e phono preamp. Turntable is an old Thorens with a sure m95ed. Strange thing is it was all good with the missions

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

There´s probably nothing wrong, maybe you´re just hearing the differences between sources now that you have (what I think are) better/more revealing speakers.

 

[Integralista]

Hi, before you will make some decision, pls. try to put other turntable if the sound will be also such as described. There can be also defect on cartridge, problem with stylus, wire etc. Cartridges are ultra sensitive. Phono NAD PP 2 is good one. I have shortly tried old PP1 some 25 years ago. Pls. try also to connect your PP2 phono into different input on your NAD 350 amp, which you normaly use. If there will be some change. Also Thorens is known for very good sound and robust design. If your cartridge is more than 10 years old, it will have a sense to replace it. With something new from Ortofon, or Audio Technika etc. BR.

 

[Gavlar55]

Ok thanks for advice. I will try what you have suggested

 

[Gavlar55]

Ok changed disc input to Aux. Sounds much better, however I do think the m95ed can be a bit lively on the top end and the Castle Knights are very sensitive at the top end. The cartridge is very old, had it for many years, probably over 40 years. Perhaps I should get a new cartridge.

 

[Gavlar55]

Yes I think it's time, can you recommend what would go well with my setup.

 

[Al ears]

Yes I think it's time, can you recommend what would go well with my setup.

depends on your budget for a new cartridge.
How much do you have to spend?

 

[Gavlar55]

I don't really know, obviously my equipment does have limitations so guessing something compatible. Probably up to £100 +

 

[matthewpianist]

I'd go for Ortofon 2M Blue in your position. The Red is nice, and cheaper, but the Blue tracks that bit better and offers more detail.

 

[Gavlar55]

There´s probably nothing wrong, maybe you´re just hearing the differences between sources now that you have (what I think are) better/more revealing speakers.

Yes very true, when I first got them I couldn’t work out what was going on! Then I got it, wide sound stage, immersive bass.

 

[Al ears]

I'd go for Ortofon 2M Blue in your position. The Red is nice, and cheaper, but the Blue tracks that bit better and offers more detail.

I wouldn't. For a start it's about £148 but I think it's whatever he means by that 'plus ' and I would think the Audio Technic AT-VM95EN would be a better buy and similar to the Shure, but that's also over budget at £139.
The Goldring E3 is another possibility.

 

[Gavlar55]

I see not all cartridges fit on a thorens 150 shell, seen a suggestion - Audio Technica At95e cartridge, its cheap too

 

[Al ears]

I see not all cartridges fit on a thorens 150 shell, seen a suggestion - Audio Technica At95e cartridge, its cheap too

The Thorens headshell should have a standard fitting, especially if you already have a Shure fitted to it. Basically avoid threaded cartridges, and that means my suggestion of the Goldring E3 is out because you need to screw up into that headshell.
Of course you could replace the headshell with a different one that allows you to fit pre-threaded cartridges.

 

[nopiano]

I see not all cartridges fit on a thorens 150 shell, seen a suggestion - Audio Technica At95e cartridge, its cheap too

The AT is great value and a deservingly popular cartridge. I have a version of it myself, as well as another discontinued Shure, the 97xe. However, I was curious, and following a recommendation on Shure’s own website I found a supplier of replacement Shure styli/needles.

The N95ED isn’t available - that’s the stylus version for the M95ED cartridge you say you have. But an improved version is, for inside your budget. If the arm is in good shape, the actual cartridge body never wears out, so this would be an upgrade. No risk of damaging fragile wires, as you only slip the old stylus out and pop the new one in.

https://service.shure.com/s/article/replacement-stylus-for-m95ed?language=en_US®ion=en-US

Shure N95HE Stylus

Buy Shure replacement stylus N95HE for M95HE cartridge securely online - free delivery within UK. Other Shure styli (needles) available for supply to UK, Europe, Worldwide delivery

shop.mantra-audio.co.uk

£95, and I’m assuming you’re in the UK. If not, you’ll find links to other countries from the Shure link.

 

[Gavlar55]

The Thorens headshell should have a standard fitting, especially if you already have a Shure fitted to it. Basically avoid threaded cartridges, and that means my suggestion of the Goldring E3 is out because you need to screw up into that headshell.
Of course you could replace the headshell with a different one that allows you to fit pre-threaded cartridges.

Ok thanks for guidance. I will look into it.

 

[nopiano]

Ok thanks for guidance. I will look into it.

Is it the standard arm with the lattice headshell? Like this one?

 

[Gavlar55]

yes that it exactly

 

[nopiano]

yes that it exactly

Well, iirc the bearings weren’t the best, and that was forty plus years ago! So maybe get the arm checked out if you’re unsure what to look for.

I’m just cautious that £95 is a lot to invest if the issue lies elsewhere.

 

[Gavlar55]

Thanks. I had the Thorens serviced 2 years ago, so should be OK. I think I will swap out the cartridge. Probably throw £100 at it, never really liked the m95ed to be honest.
Thanks for your advice, appreciate it.