Weakness in vintage setup

[Badgeraudio]

I recently used FB Marketplace to get a few used separate bargains to go with my dad’s old Goldring Lenco 75 which I had recently refurbished. I bought a Marantz CD 52 Mk2 CD player, a NAD 302 (not 3020) and some Mission 780 se speakers and even though it’s only a smallish room, I find the sound a bit lightweight for my taste. Definitely lacking in bass from both sources. I do prefer a warmer sound. ChatGPT says replacing the speakers would make the biggest difference but I wanted to get real people’s opinions on where to upgrade first for something a bit warmer and bassy but still retaining detail. Any ideas on what I should replace and what to get? The room constrains me from using floorstanding speakers. Thanks.

 

[Al ears]

I recently used FB Marketplace to get a few used separate bargains to go with my dad’s old Goldring Lenco 75 which I had recently refurbished. I bought a Marantz CD 52 Mk2 CD player, a NAD 302 (not 3020) and some Mission 780 se speakers and even though it’s only a smallish room, I find the sound a bit lightweight for my taste. Definitely lacking in bass from both sources. I do prefer a warmer sound. ChatGPT says replacing the speakers would make the biggest difference but I wanted to get real people’s opinions on where to upgrade first for something a bit warmer and bassy but still retaining detail. Any ideas on what I should replace and what to get? The room constrains me from using floorstanding speakers. Thanks.

Question: if you cannot use floorstanding where and on what are your current speakers placed?

 

[Badgeraudio]

Question: if you cannot use floorstanding where and on what are your current speakers placed?

Currently on top of a wide TV cabinet.

 

[Al ears]

Currently on top of a wide TV cabinet.

Not ideal but I know the speakers you have are front ported. Perhaps something rear ported may help as would playing with repositioning.
I might suggest some Wharfedale Diamond 11.1 speakers, it very much depends on your budget.
Is the lack of bass the same with both CD and your turntable?
Which cartridge do you have on the turntable?
Oh, and welcome to the forum by the way.......

 

[davidf]

Of course ChatGPT would say that changing the speakers would make the biggest difference, because it's just mining what everyone else says on the internet. It doesn't take into account system/room/placement/budget variables, just like the people who state this blinkered viewpoint.

 

[record_spot]

Great to try swapping things around but the 780SE isn't the bassiest and while it'll likely have Mission's trait of excellent detail and imaging, if you just want more thump - and can't tweak speaker positioning much, which you should try before anything else if you can - then this would be the thing to go.

Much as ChatGPT landed on the right answer here, it's not always so great so I'd caution against relying on it for too much of the time. And to be honest, it's probably a good thing for you to be able to do your own legwork on some of this stuff.

 

[abacus]

Of course ChatGPT would say that changing the speakers would make the biggest difference, because it's just mining what everyone else says on the internet. It doesn't take into account system/room/placement/budget variables, just like the people who state this blinkered viewpoint.

The biggest change after the room is the speakers, which is why they should be the first thing to change when upgrading, it also has the advantage that they will show up any problems with the rest of the equipment, making it easy to chose what to upgrade next.

Bill