A95 setup question

[Madfloyd]

Hey guys, I'm wondering if you can help with something.

Using the A95, I have a tonal imbalance where I'm getting way too much bass and not enough highs. And when I say bass, I mean deep bass - rumble. I can play the same recordings via digital and the balance is fine, so it's either the setup of the A95 or my phono stage causing the issue (new phono stage and can't swap it out for another at the moment).

I've read that the SRA is important with the A95 but don't have enough experience to know whether this could be the culprit. Could it? I've got the VTF set at about 2.3g. Cartridge loading (which I can't change) is 8k.

Thanks in advance.
Ian

[MylesBAstor]

Hey guys, I'm wondering if you can help with something.

Using the A95, I have a tonal imbalance where I'm getting way too much bass and not enough highs. And when I say bass, I mean deep bass - rumble. I can play the same recordings via digital and the balance is fine, so it's either the setup of the A95 or my phono stage causing the issue (new phono stage and can't swap it out for another at the moment).

I've read that the SRA is important with the A95 but don't have enough experience to know whether this could be the culprit. Could it? I've got the VTF set at about 2.3g. Cartridge loading (which I can't change) is 8k.

Thanks in advance.
Ian

Why can't you adjust the loading value? Is it the Ypsilon? (though I don't think based on the symptoms that is the culprit.)

Yes, I'd play with the SRA. Try raising the arm. I don't remember if your arm is neutral balance so recheck your VTF when you bring the arm up.

Are you hearing this rumble on all your albums? If it's only one or two, it might be the album. I've run across that.

[Mike Lavigne]

also sounds like you 'could' have a 'feedback' issue from your speakers back through your rack. the Kronos does not have decoupling designed in as I recall.

while maybe not likely as the casue just consider it as one possibility. this was how I decided to add my Herzan when I was having bass overload and at first assumed it was the pressing or set-up in some way. so keep your mind open.

[Madfloyd]

Thanks for the responses!

Myles: I'm using the internal phono stage of the CAT Legend. The default loading is 8k and unfortunately somebody forgot to include loading plugs.

Mike: the Kronos has a suspended design. Is that not decoupling? Designer insists that any isolation will degrade performance...?

[Mike Lavigne]

Thanks for the responses!

Myles: I'm using the internal phono stage of the CAT Legend. The default loading is 8k and unfortunately somebody forgot to include loading plugs.

Mike: the Kronos has a suspended design. Is that not decoupling? Designer insists that any isolation will degrade performance...?

certainly a suspension is a form of decoupling. I'm not that familiar with the Kronos. likely my recollection of it not being decoupled stems from reading that comment from the designer.

in any case, excess bass 'could' be related to feedback. but it's down the list of likely causes. only if you can't track down the source keep that possibility in mind. more likely set-up or signal path related. I've been in many systems where a suspended wood floor gives an extra oomph to every bass note. not altogether a bad thing but not quite right either.

I'm not familiar with the Black Beauty tone arm. might something be amiss with it......maybe loose or not quite right? maybe counter weight not tight? or even the tower screws loose? anything like that can round and blur bass response and be perceived as increased bass energy.

[Madfloyd]

Thanks, Mike. Good to know that something loose can cause bass issues. I'll check for that.

[Billy Shears]

Hi Madfloyd
I have the Cadenza Bronze with the same Diamond cut as the A 95 so I will allow myself to comment on this. 8K ohms is way higher than I would load any Ortofon at. Usually 80-250 (media 100 Ohm) does the Trick. I did end up having the VTA slightly Higher than paralell to the surface of the Record, so give that a go. Do you have the possibility of activating a Subsonic Filter in the Phonostage?

[david k]

It's a tough call without being there Ian. What you describe could be anything from a couple of bad LPs, happened to me when setting up Steve Williams's tt with two sealed ones in a row, to poor setup, VTA, tracking angle, weight etc., including tt suspension to a damaged cartridge. You gotta look at everything or call someone in.

david

Hey guys, I'm wondering if you can help with something.

Using the A95, I have a tonal imbalance where I'm getting way too much bass and not enough highs. And when I say bass, I mean deep bass - rumble. I can play the same recordings via digital and the balance is fine, so it's either the setup of the A95 or my phono stage causing the issue (new phono stage and can't swap it out for another at the moment).

I've read that the SRA is important with the A95 but don't have enough experience to know whether this could be the culprit. Could it? I've got the VTF set at about 2.3g. Cartridge loading (which I can't change) is 8k.

Thanks in advance.
Ian

[mep]

Hopefully Andre will chime in here and give you some advice too.

[PeterA]

Ian, I would start with the recommended VTF for the A95. Is it really 2.3g? Then make sure all screws are tight including the lock set screw for VTA and the counterweight with your Black Beauty. You played it for me once without locking one of them down, if I remember. Then set your arm level and listen. Your 45 RPM of Beethoven's Appassionata might be a good place to start. If it persists, raise the arm in .5mm increments until it is high in the back. Also try going down in .5mm increments? The sound should change. Listen to the continuity of individual notes (fundamental to harmonics) and tonal balance. If you do a 3mm total range, up and down, that should cover it. If it still has pronounced bass, you should explain in detail what you are hearing with the different VTA settings and it will tell us more.

Of course, it could be something else altogether as others have suggested, but I would start there and tell us what you hear. I'm coming on Saturday and we could try to diagnose it further.

[Joe Pittman]

Do you know what the arm/cartridge resonance is? Do you have a test record to check it out? I would check this out before doing anything.

[MylesBAstor]

Do you know what the arm/cartridge resonance is? Do you have a test record to check it out? I would check this out before doing anything.

Yes that was what I was getting at. Is Ian hearing this rumble on all his LPs? The Black Beauty is a medium to high mass arm and the A95 is a low-med compliance (13) and very light (6 g) cartridge. Maybe the arm/cartridge isn't a great match? On the website, the listed resonance with a 15 compliance and 9 gm cartridge is 8.5 Hz. So the A95 is 3 g lighter and slightly less compliant; one wonders if Ian might be picking up motor noise? Also the listed cartridge compatibility weight is 7-16 gm and the A95 is 6 grams.

[MylesBAstor]

Ian, I would start with the recommended VTF for the A95. Is it really 2.3g? Then make sure all screws are tight including the lock set screw for VTA and the counterweight with your Black Beauty. You played it for me once without locking one of them down, if I remember. Then set your arm level and listen. Your 45 RPM of Beethoven's Appassionata might be a good place to start. If it persists, raise the arm in .5mm increments until it is high in the back. Also try going down in .5mm increments? The sound should change. Listen to the continuity of individual notes (fundamental to harmonics) and tonal balance. If you do a 3mm total range, up and down, that should cover it. If it still has pronounced bass, you should explain in detail what you are hearing with the different VTA settings and it will tell us more.

Of course, it could be something else altogether as others have suggested, but I would start there and tell us what you hear. I'm coming on Saturday and we could try to diagnose it further.

Yes, 2.3 g is the recommended VTF and that worked best in the VPI arm. I think Andre found a touch lighter worked in his Basis arm. 1.7 g worked in the SAT arm.

[Jtinn]

Please verify that the arm is actually on the pivot point.

[Alex Siufy]

Ian,

Couple of things:

1. Check the level of the oil/fluid in the Black Beauty.
2. Is the arm completely parallel to the record/platter? That's always a good start. Also make sure the arm is fully locked after adjusting it.
3. Gotta say that 8k is indeed way too high for an Ortofon...