New turntable, flat sound.

[bluesq55]

Just bought a TEAC TN-180BT. I realize it's entry-level, but the sound is disappointingly flat - no shimmer at the high end. Is there anything I can do?

 

[matthewpianist]

What do you have it connected to?

 

[record_spot]

Adjust your speaker position slightly.
New cartridge.
Give it time to run in more.

 

[bluesq55]

What do you have it connected to?

It's bluetooth, with a little cheapie adapter into a fine Yamaha receiver and Bose speakers. I know that the obvious culprit is that it's Bluetooth and a cheapie adapter, but streaming services bluetoothed into the system sound wonderful. I guess I was hoping that a turntable would open up the miraculous vinyl sound that everyone talks about.

 

[matthewpianist]

It's bluetooth, with a little cheapie adapter into a fine Yamaha receiver and Bose speakers. I know that the obvious culprit is that it's Bluetooth and a cheapie adapter, but streaming services bluetoothed into the system sound wonderful. I guess I was hoping that a turntable would open up the miraculous vinyl sound that everyone talks about.

I'm afraid you're expecting miracles where they don't exist. Try connecting it to your receiver with phono cables instead and see if that sounds better to your ears. It should be perfectly listenable and enjoyable, but don't expect it to blow away your streaming services because in this context you will be disappointed.

 

[Al ears]

I'm afraid you're expecting miracles where they don't exist. Try connecting it to your receiver with phono cables instead and see if that sounds better to your ears. It should be perfectly listenable and enjoyable, but don't expect it to blow away your streaming services because in this context you will be disappointed.

Quite so. Perhaps the best thing the OP can do is connect via phono cables as you say.
He may be expecting a bit much from a £195 turntable package but it should certainly sound better when cable connected.
The deck does have a built-in phono preamp so that's the way to go.

 

[daytona600]

$1 Generic chinese Cartridge fitted to this TEAC. You could upgrade the Stylus / Replace the cartridge for some Sparkle

 

[Gray]

a fine Yamaha receiver

Has the fine Yamaha got a built-in phono preamplifier?
If so, you should start by comparing its sound to the one that's built into your turntable.
(The turntable's own phono amp is switchable).

Don't take too much notice of 'everybody' talking about 'miraculous vinyl sound'.
It can sound fantastic - but not really for 200 quid and never via Bluetooth 👍

I see the deck comes with an AT VM model cartridge......swap that for a VM-95 model - that doesn't lack shimmer.
Music without shimmer is not music as far as I'm concerned (although there are some strange people out there that prefer symbols to sound as if they're covered in blankets).

 

[bluesq55]

Has the fine Yamaha got a built-in phono preamplifier?
If so, you should start by comparing its sound to the one that's built into your turntable.
(The turntable's own phono amp is switchable).

Don't take too much notice of 'everybody' talking about 'miraculous vinyl sound'.
It can sound fantastic - but not really for 200 quid and never via Bluetooth 👍

I see the deck comes with an AT VM model cartridge......swap that for a VM-95 model - that doesn't lack shimmer.
Music without shimmer is not music as far as I'm concerned (although there are some strange people out there that prefer symbols to sound as if they're covered in blankets).

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful answers. Any suggestions for a turntable without Bluetooth in the $400 range?

 

[matthewpianist]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful answers. Any suggestions for a turntable without Bluetooth in the $400 range?

How large is your LP collection?

 

[Al ears]

Has the Yamaha got a built-in phono preamplifier, what is the Yamahas model number, or do you need one built into the turntable?