Circasurprise90 Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 So I just set up my first hifi system: Debut Carbon, Onkyo A-9050, and some Infinity RS5 speakers. I followed the tutorials for setting up the turntable and the needle tracks just fine, but the quality is shit. I hooked my phone up to my new amp and played the same song that was spinning on the table at the same time and the difference is huge. The mp3 version sounds amazing on this amp. Is the Ortofone 2M red a junk cartridge? Maybe my expectations were too high for this turntable? I played a few different records including 180g of RHCP-Stadium Arcadium. Looking for some insight. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liimpan Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 The Ortofon 2M is great, but I've heard of people having defective ones. Do you have any other cartridge/needle? Try with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrroey Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 What turntable are you upgrading from that your comparing the sound to? obviously youve been on here for awhile and have purchased other records so you should know theres a sound difference between vinyl and mp3 playback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circasurprise90 Posted May 7, 2014 Author Share Posted May 7, 2014 What turntable are you upgrading from that your comparing the sound to? obviously youve been on here for awhile and have purchased other records so you should know theres a sound difference between vinyl and mp3 playback. I know there is a sound difference, it just doesn't sound good at all. This is my first turntable. I listened to this turntable at an audio store in SF before I purchased and it sounded good there. The Ortofon 2M is great, but I've heard of people having defective ones. Do you have any other cartridge/needle? Try with that I don't have any other cartridges yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liimpan Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Hmm. If you had any other cartridge it would be easy, just switch it for that and see if it still sounds bad. Do you know anyone else with a turntable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrroey Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 I know there is a sound difference, it just doesn't sound good at all. This is my first turntable. wait so then what have you been using to listen to your records before the debut? haven't you been a member here for awhile just going by your previous posts... anyways...your cartridge or turntable COULD be defective which in that case - bummer - contact warranty or just return. The Ortofon Red 2M is certainly not a "junk cartridge" and it doesn't sound like you did any research on this before you decided to pick up the TT. The debut carbon is highly reviewed and generally recommended to buyers in its price range. I dont know what else to tell you, if it sounds like “junk” and you think the “quality is shit” then you should return it and try something else. no one else here needs to try and convince you of otherwise. A-Bon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circasurprise90 Posted May 7, 2014 Author Share Posted May 7, 2014 I haven't used any of my records until now. I've been saving up for the system I wanted. I have done plenty of research I'm just not pleased with the sound when I think it should sound better based on the reviews I've read for both the amp and the turntable. So I'm trying to figure out if I'm doing something wrong, because I'm new to this. I guess I'll just have to try another cartridge to see if there's a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liimpan Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 When you say that it sounds "bad", what do you mean? Muffled, distorted, no bass, or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circasurprise90 Posted May 7, 2014 Author Share Posted May 7, 2014 Hmm. If you had any other cartridge it would be easy, just switch it for that and see if it still sounds bad. Do you know anyone else with a turntable? Unfortunately I don't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circasurprise90 Posted May 7, 2014 Author Share Posted May 7, 2014 When you say that it sounds "bad", what do you mean? Muffled, distorted, no bass, or what? lacks bass. I'm used to listening to 320kbps Mp3 files, and the quality from the turntable kind of sounds the way a 128kbps mp3 sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Lacking bass could mean a couple of things. Your tracking force could be too light. Or, there could be a problem with the phono stage in your amp. Don't just think it's junk and assume something is broken before you've done some more trouble shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flood Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 ok is there a phono pre-amp on your amplifier? that sounds like its probably the issue here.... if it doesn't go get a phono pre-amp kamalatapes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agaetisbyrjun Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 ok is there a phono pre-amp on your amplifier? that sounds like its probably the issue here.... if it doesn't go get a phono pre-amp According to the specs I found the Onkyo A-9050 does have a built in preamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circasurprise90 Posted May 8, 2014 Author Share Posted May 8, 2014 ok is there a phono pre-amp on your amplifier? that sounds like its probably the issue here.... if it doesn't go get a phono pre-amp yeah it's got a phone stage. I have fixed the problem. Thanks for the help and input guys. Just needed to troubleshoot more. Noob mistake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3arl Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 yeah it's got a phone stage. I have fixed the problem. Thanks for the help and input guys. Just needed to troubleshoot more. Noob mistake! I say you still throw it away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviex2shoes Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 yeah it's got a phone stage. I have fixed the problem. Thanks for the help and input guys. Just needed to troubleshoot more. Noob mistake! Was the phono input the issue? Just think it'd be good to say what your mistake was so that other people in your situation can see this thread and say oh they had the same issue, and here's what I can do to fix it. BKO5950505, kamalatapes and JoToRoBo 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circasurprise90 Posted May 8, 2014 Author Share Posted May 8, 2014 Was the phono input the issue? Just think it'd be good to say what your mistake was so that other people in your situation can see this thread and say oh they had the same issue, and here's what I can do to fix it. I just adjusted the weight a little more for more tracking force like Kannibal suggested. Also on my onkyo amp, the direct function was on, but looked like it was off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circuit bored records Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I just adjusted the weight a little more for more tracking force like Kannibal suggested. Also on my onkyo amp, the direct function was on, but looked like it was off. Are you using a tracking force scale? You should get one if not. Guessing where your tracking force should be may have fixed your sound quality problems, but if it isn't set to the right weight you will damage your records and stylus for the long run. steviex2shoes, Requiescat and kamalatapes 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamalatapes Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Are you using a tracking force scale? You should get one if not. Guessing where your tracking force should be may have fixed your sound quality problems, but if it isn't set to the right weight you will damage your records and stylus for the long run. Totally agree, the instructions booklet comes with the specified grams for the ortofon 2mred, make sure all measured up. Ortofon 2m Red recommended downforce is 17.5mN & anti skating force adj. loop fish hook should be set to the 2nd center groove ring of the stub. (assuming you have the debut carbon arm) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 The direct mode button should not be a problem. In fact, I would probably use it as it should give you a more pure sound. In theory, at least. But ultimately, it is up to you. Regarding the tracking force, did you set it up yourself? The arm balancing method works, but it can be slightly inaccurate, but not enough to cause damage. But do be careful. a thin sound can be cause by too little tracking force, but too much tracking force can be detrimental to sound and record wear. Circasurprise90 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circasurprise90 Posted May 8, 2014 Author Share Posted May 8, 2014 Thanks for being helpful guys. I totally did the tone arm calibration wrong the first time. It's now set up as demonstrating in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93xUOShGYc0 at 1.8g. It sounds great now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Requiescat Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Are you using a tracking force scale? You should get one if not. Guessing where your tracking force should be may have fixed your sound quality problems, but if it isn't set to the right weight you will damage your records and stylus for the long run. This. This. This. You can pick up a Shure SFG-2 for very cheap. I suggest checking eBay. No batteries required, accurate, and reliable. I cannot emphasize enough that some type of VTF (aka vertical tracking force) scale is an essential accessory to own. Just be certain you're setting the VTF to what the 2M Red cartridge recommends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smetonearm Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Just also checking that you have applied the anti-skating bias control on the Project Debut Carbon correctly, it is a small weight with a nylon thread which attaches to the tonearm, it minimises distortion when playing your records. It is pictured in the link, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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