Elac Miracord 50H and punk/ indie/ emo music

[etrarkia]

Hello to all,

First of all, my apologies in advanced for a bit stranger English as I'm not native English speaker.

You probably already assume what I am going to ask, even I read a few similar topics on this subject, I wanted to hear some specific suggestions from you guys and what might be the "issue" with my set.

Actually, there is no real issue when I listen to radio stations and records that aren't related to heavier music genres. But as I listen mostly to punk related music even I'm close to 40th birthday I noticed that music while playing it on records doesn't sounds right – something is missing in terms on sound. As I'm pretty new in HIFI (in the world of HIFI components), before buying turntable I listened music on computer and CD player.

I use:

Speakers: Epi 70C;
TT: Elac Miracord 50H (with new stylus replaced a month ago and old original cartridge);

I paired them with:

1) Sansui 800;
2) Kenwood KA1400B (+ KT1300B);
3) Pioneer FX-330;

I know that all those options are pretty low class except maybe Sansui (which I bought by accident and was really blown away with sound). Both those Pioneer and Kenwood have poor bass sound (Pioneer maybe a bit worse), while when I listen to Sansui, it sounds a bit better, but it's still far away from the original sound of same song played on active speakers on computer or CD player.

I'm aware that all the components are vintage, old or older them me, but I'm a bit visual guy and love how they look and how well are preserved (at least those I have).

The most of the records I have are pretty new (from 2000s) and it's definitely not issue in them (like to be poorly recorded in studios and so on). They are all mostly from good productions, some of them I have on CDs as well.

Can I improve sound quality within existing components?
Would cartridge replacement bring any improvement?

Thanks in advanced and really sorry for (it turns out) longer post!

 

[T68]

Hi!
Replacing cartridge and or stylus can improve sound quality. But before talking more about this it would be interesting to know what you currently have installed.
Another thing to try could be to connect the turntable directly to the active speakers that you find sound good. This could help rule out the amplifiers or speakers as problem sources. But to do that you need a phono preamp to get the right audio signal.

 

[etrarkia]

The current one is STS 244. Plus new replacement needle.
Hmm, I don't have phono preamp near me, but as I need to change TT audio cable (DIN5 > RCA), I might ask in service to connect it and try on his components.

 

[Panamafred]

Hello to all,

I know that all those options are pretty low class except maybe Sansui

This setup you have should be enough to put a smile on your face! Took me years to piece together a vintage system like this and it ought to sound good.


You mention that this setup sounds fine with radio stations right? Makes me think there is a problem with the turntable-- your Elac is a very competent table.

Where did you buy your stylus? Sometimes a crappy "cheapest I could find on ebay" stylus can real suck the life out of your set up.. Good luck!

 

[trainbuftony]

I know the headshell contacts on my Elac are constantly dirty and corroded. A tiny bit of corrosion in a phono pickup circuit will make even the best equipment sound like its stuck in the mud.

 

[etrarkia]

@Panamafred : Thanks for suggestion. It's very possible and it makes logic. I have plastic package of the replacement stylus right in front of me and it says: "A high quality tonar Diamond". Product of Tonar international b. v., The Netherlands.

@tnsilver : I understand what are you referring about, analog playback, bad quality of album recordings, that's pretty present in punk albums. I ordered a new protractor a few days ago and waiting to arrive, cause the old one ended on some unknown place in the house. So, I'll do as you suggested and try some other records. About the vinyl record quality, this is one song which sounds right in this video (it's not mine by the way). I have same album on the vinyl and I don't get this full, powerful sound as on YT.

I also played some more sophisticated bands/ records with more gentle sound in all levels, like The Appleseed Cast for example, I'm pretty sure their records are quality made (even they're 2nd pressings from 2020 and 2021) and there's no richness in sound that's present on mp3/ flac/ CD.

I'll do calibration again like you suggested.
Really thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Bill Ashton]

@etrarkia , back in the early 1970's I purchased a Miracord 620 which came with the 244-17 cartridge; I hate to use some of these
words, but I could not believe how "transparent" and "open" this cartridge sounded compared to the Shure M75's I had used before.

On a trip to Europe, Iooking for a replacement stylus, I purchased a 344E for less money! That has been my cartridge of choice through
the Miracord, then a Hitachi and now a Rega Planar P3 turntables. Now I must satisfy myself with after-market stylii...If you know a source for ELAC
originals, please message me! But I have never found it lacking with these replacements, tracks everything, no distortion.

If the high output of your 244 is suspect, perhaps trying a preamp with a gain control would clarify that problem for you?

Also, if you do not know, the "-17" refers to a conical stylus, the "E" obviously is ellipitcal...I do not have access to my data right now, so I cannot give you the elliptical dimensions.

 

[tnsilver]

You tube uses their google proprietary algorithms to make sure whatever you upload is stripped of whatever can be stripped to save storage space. It's not even MP3 (which is a lossy format) and it's quite useless in these types of comparisons when you wish to demonstrate an analog outout. I don't even watch those vids. It's pointless.

 

[etrarkia]

I know the headshell contacts on my Elac are constantly dirty and corroded. A tiny bit of corrosion in a phono pickup circuit will make even the best equipment sound like its stuck in the mud.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will de-attach and check it!

@Bill Ashton : Sorry, I only see replacements online, not saw any original so far offered. About "-17" mark, I learned it on hard way, ordered at first one that wasn't conical

@tnsilver : Didn't know that about YT. Thanks!

 

[Bill Ashton]

Conical or elliptical will be your preference, neither is "good" or "bad." I play mostly pop/rock records from the mid to late 60's, and
some are worn, so if given the choice I prefer a conical, not sure what is optimum for your music.

Another suggestion is to try one of the CHEAP A/T carts available from China on eBay. I had a similar Rega Carbon on a RP1 turntable
and it was very nice sounding...perhaps another member can post what the formal A/T model is? Most like them

 

[etrarkia]

Bringing old thread from dead.

Replaced needle and original stylus with AT 91 R and got the sound music should sound

Thanks everyone!

 

[Hajidub]

The current one is STS 244. Plus new replacement needle.
Hmm, I don't have phono preamp near me, but as I need to change TT audio cable (DIN5 > RCA), I might ask in service to connect it and try on his components.

Keep in mind your turntable is over 50 years old so the tracking force is probably not accurate. I'd recommend a cheap $11 digital stylus scale off of Amazon to accurately set your tracking force, which would be required for accurate sound on high energy punk records. My 50H is off by nearly a gram of weight.