Well, you guys got me all itchy about my vinyl rig... I had every intention of selling it. It has had a loose pivot on the arm for a long time... and I fashioned a tool to tighten it... problem solved! Then I found the VTA adjustments and decided hey.. I'll play around with this thing and see how it sounds... So, I fired up the ol' phono pre and started adjusting.
Whoa.
I did not have VTA setup properly. There is thunderous bass along with mid and high clarity I have not heard before out of my vinyl rig.
There is a breathing 'alive' quality that is just beautiful. I quickly compared to the same on digital which sounded diminutive by comparison. Digital was overall cleaner, much quieter background and the tonal balance was just different.. it had a 'leaned back' presentation where the bass was big and low and the highs were a little recessed. It was similar to the difference between Rich's DAC and my own... so, my DAC is now getting bested by my vinyl rig.
I was using Sufjan Stevens 'Illinoise' album in these comparison. Wonderful pressing, btw. This album was masterfully crafted for vinyl playback.
There is still some noise I don't like with vinyl but the music comes through in a way that it's easy to ignore.
So now what? I plan to compare my current table to an older table I have so I can possibly sell it. Or just keep it. Or keep 'messing' with it.. ARGH! Nervosa indeed.
-C