New turntable, flat sound.

bluesq55 · 2026-02-17T17:07:29+0000

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 · 2026-02-17T17:39:10+0000

What do you have it connected to?

record_spot · 2026-02-17T17:39:43+0000

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

bluesq55 · 2026-02-17T17:48:34+0000

matthewpianist said:
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 · 2026-02-17T18:13:49+0000

bluesq55 said:
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 · 2026-02-17T18:21:12+0000

matthewpianist said:
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 · 2026-02-17T20:13:44+0000

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

Gray · 2026-02-17T20:41:08+0000

bluesq55 said:
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 · 2026-02-18T01:15:04+0000

Gray said:
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 · 2026-02-18T09:09:33+0000

bluesq55 said:
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 · 2026-02-18T09:20:40+0000

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

nopiano · 2026-02-18T10:51:00+0000

bluesq55 said:
Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful answers. Any suggestions for a turntable without Bluetooth in the $400 range?

This is a handy guide. https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/hi-fi/best-budget-turntables

But it helps to know the answers already requested above. No point in buying a built in phono stage if your Yamaha amp is already equipped with phono input, for example.

daytona600 · 2026-02-18T11:10:23+0000

Any suggestions for a turntable without Bluetooth in the $400 range?
Project or Rega

Jasonovich · 2026-02-18T12:35:09+0000

bluesq55 said:
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.

Bose speakers are more lifestyle than HiFi, not saying you don't get a decent sound but you'll likely to get a more expansive sound from a good pair of budget speakers, such as the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1.

Feed the budget speakers to the Yamaha receiver and you should see some noticeable improvements to the sound. Also consider upgrading to an external phono preamp and possibly the cartridge.

Gray · 2026-02-18T14:10:14+0000

bluesq55 said:
Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful answers. Any suggestions for a turntable without Bluetooth in the $400 range?

Don't necessarily write off your turntable - wired, it should be ok (subject to adequate cartridge and phono preamp).

matthewpianist · 2026-02-18T14:27:53+0000

Looking at the arm, I don't think a change of cartridge is an option - it's designed for the AT-3600L, with no facility for balancing the arm to suit anything different. That isn't a bad entry-level cartridge though, and probably as far as you would want to go on a turntable of this nature anyway.

Al ears · 2026-02-18T15:39:49+0000

matthewpianist said:
Looking at the arm, I don't think a change of cartridge is an option - it's designed for the AT-3600L, with no facility for balancing the arm to suit anything different. That isn't a bad entry-level cartridge though, and probably as far as you would want to go on a turntable of this nature anyway.

Still awaiting OP to respond on questions asked before I add any further comments.

bluesq55 · 2026-02-18T21:26:19+0000

Jasonovich said:
Bose speakers are more lifestyle than HiFi, not saying you don't get a decent sound but you'll likely to get a more expansive sound from a good pair of budget speakers, such as the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1.

Feed the budget speakers to the Yamaha receiver and you should see some noticeable improvements to the sound. Also consider upgrading to an external phono preamp and possibly the cartridge.

Thanks again, everyone, for your careful and considered answers. One last question: The Audio-Technica ATLP120XUSB has some features I'd like - digital out, 3 speeds, and the dread Bluetooth - but I'm not hearing or reading much about AT. Is there a problem with the product lines?

Shrek · 2026-02-18T22:02:12+0000

Theres no problem with the products at all ive had the lp120 for years now with no issues for the money its great value.Its a big step up from the Teac Its connected via RCA not BT.
I use mine to transfer music to disc to play in the car .

Do note what every ones said above all good advice but i guess we all have a budget.
Heres a review of the LP120.

Home review

The Audio Technica LP120USB is a sturdy player that not only plays records but can copy vinyl straight to your hard-drive

www.whathifi.com

Jasonovich · 2026-02-18T22:12:11+0000

bluesq55 said:
Thanks again, everyone, for your careful and considered answers. One last question: The Audio-Technica ATLP120XUSB has some features I'd like - digital out, 3 speeds, and the dread Bluetooth - but I'm not hearing or reading much about AT. Is there a problem with the product lines?

No I don't think so. Audio-Technica are a well known Japanese brand.
I've had one of their mid range headphones, I can't recall the model but were very good.

They make solid direct drive turntables for the professional market. I'm not really familiar with their lower end turntables but I'm sure someone on the thread is better placed to comment.

matthewpianist · 2026-02-18T23:05:58+0000

Audio Technica is a solid choice, and that has a better arm, offering sufficient adjustment for a future change of cartridge should you wish.

I'm interested to know still, do you have many records?

daytona600 · 2026-02-18T23:15:12+0000

AT & Teac both out the same Chinese OEM factory

Project , Rega & Technics if you want a real turntable. You cant do analogue Cheap

bluesq55 · 2026-02-18T23:20:07+0000

matthewpianist said:
Audio Technica is a solid choice, and that has a better arm, offering sufficient adjustment for a future change of cartridge should you wish.

I'm interested to know still, do you have many records?

bluesq55 · 2026-02-18T23:20:44+0000

I've never counted, but I'd estimate 150.

New turntable, flat sound.

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