How do you make a bright-sounding Pro-ject turntable sound softer?

[admin_exported]

Hi, I've just purchased some 2nd-hand Wharfedale Pacific Pi-40 speakers. I have an NAD C370 amp and an NAD C541i CD player, with Chord Odyssey 2 cables (bi-wired.) I am very satisfied with the sound I'm getting. However, I have a 2nd-hand Pro-ject turntable (I think it's a P12) which is known to be on the bright-side. My amp is pretty neutral, but with the bright-sounding speakers (which sound good with my relatively warm-sounding CD player and neutral amp,) and the turntable combined, the combination is just too much. I really don't want to spend much money on upgrades (the turntable cost me £15 and I used some parts from my old faulty Pro-ject Debut 2 SB to get it working perfectly.) What is the best way of trying to get a warmer sound out of the turntable? I've just ordered an Isokinetik acrylic mat for it, but would there be a cheap cartridge that would help do the trick? Or should I try using the tonearm off of my old Pro-ject turntable with the standard ortofon cartidge (which brings me to the question- why does the P12 sound bright in the first-place?) Anyone's informed assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Henley]

That's a hard one to answer as there has never been a model called the P12 and, to be fair, there has not really been an issue with products being bright.

Let's assume you have an original pro-ject 1, if you need to make this sound warmer, you could use a rubber platter mat or change the interconnects for a less revealing cable. If you do have a Pro-ject 1 then use this arm as it is better than the one fitted to the Debut.

 

[chebby]

Probably referring to the Project 1.2 (Comfort) turntable ...

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, The turntable is one of the early Pro-Ject ones as it has the old logo on the lid (it was sold to me on E-Bay without the model no.) It's definately not the 1.2- I did see another listed on E-Bay a few month ago and the model no. began with a "p" and the seller stated it was a bright-sounding turntable- which mine is. About 12 years ago I remember reading about a Pro-Ject turntable review stating it was bright-sounding, so there's no escaping it! I'll try the acrylic platter when I get it and see if this helps. Thanks everyone.