Time for my latest stupid question
I've got a Naim Nait 5si and Rega Elex-R on home demo for the weekend, with a pair of Spendor A5Rs. My source is a Rega RP3.
Irrespective of the varying characteristics of the amps (I reckon I'm favouring the Rega, which while less 'exciting' just sounds more 'liveable with' than the Naim) I am finding the sound very....digital? I remember vinyl sounding warm and organic 20 years ago, but ever since coming back to it with the Rega deck (and a previous Marantz/MA combo) I feel like it has lost some of that.
The detail, precision and clarity is all wonderful, and there's plenty of bass there too. If anything, it's the lower end of middle that's missing. Cymbals and guitars all sound great, but vocals occasionally seem harsh. The Rega is better than the Nait - I sometimes needed to turn the Rega down, wheras I often wanted to throw the Nait out of the window.
So, my stupid question, bearing in mind I reckon I am going to go with the Elex-R/A5r combo...
Is it possible to add 'warmth/organic/lower mid range' to a vinyl-based set up?
Is there a phono stage known for it?
Are there cartridges that do different, warmer, things to the elys/exact rega options?
Is speaker cable a myth or can it help 'colour' sound?
Is the upgraded rig just showing any inadequacies of the RP3?
Actually, that's five stupid questions. In for a penny....
I've got a Naim Nait 5si and Rega Elex-R on home demo for the weekend, with a pair of Spendor A5Rs. My source is a Rega RP3.
Irrespective of the varying characteristics of the amps (I reckon I'm favouring the Rega, which while less 'exciting' just sounds more 'liveable with' than the Naim) I am finding the sound very....digital? I remember vinyl sounding warm and organic 20 years ago, but ever since coming back to it with the Rega deck (and a previous Marantz/MA combo) I feel like it has lost some of that.
The detail, precision and clarity is all wonderful, and there's plenty of bass there too. If anything, it's the lower end of middle that's missing. Cymbals and guitars all sound great, but vocals occasionally seem harsh. The Rega is better than the Nait - I sometimes needed to turn the Rega down, wheras I often wanted to throw the Nait out of the window.
So, my stupid question, bearing in mind I reckon I am going to go with the Elex-R/A5r combo...
Is it possible to add 'warmth/organic/lower mid range' to a vinyl-based set up?
Is there a phono stage known for it?
Are there cartridges that do different, warmer, things to the elys/exact rega options?
Is speaker cable a myth or can it help 'colour' sound?
Is the upgraded rig just showing any inadequacies of the RP3?
Actually, that's five stupid questions. In for a penny....