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Equalizer suggestions? Will an EQ really make a significant audio improvement?

Art Vandalay

Art Vandalay

New Member
I am new to this forum and hope all of you can assist me.
I have an Onkyo TX SR505 receiver, a Polk sub, and a pair of Bose 401's. After recently digging out my Kenwood MK1600 turntable (also connecting an inexpensive Pyle pre-amp) and adding a new Ortofon 2M Red cartridge to revisit my LPs, I was really disappointed in the audio quality of the records. The highs, like cymbals, etc.., were pretty much non-existent and the overall sound quality was dull and flat.
I determined that the tweeter in the left 401 requires replacing. But other than that, I am just really disappointed in the sound.
Would forum members recommend the addition of an EQ? Purchasing new speakers right now is not an option. What EQs would you recommend in the sub $200 category?

Thanks!
 
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Buy a good phono preamp. A lot of good phono pre's for $200. I don't think they get enough attention. I spent a little and it was glorious!
 
I'd fix the speaker first. Also a new cartridge can take 20 - 30 hrs to break in. The Ortofon 2M series of cartridges is not one of my favorite, But it should certainly sound way better the you describe and probably will once broken in and you have the speaker repaired or replaced.

While I wouldn't buy that Pyle pre-amp, based on the many 4 - 5 star reviews it should be fine or at least OK for an entry level set up like yours.

Your Onkyo TX SR505 AVR has an EQ built into it that's far better then almost any outboard EQ if it's set up properly. And yes, depending on room acoustics a properly calibrated EQ can make a night and day difference in achieving a well balanced sound from any speaker.

That said, Turntables probably have the most variability in frequency response of any source thanks to the mechanical nature of the cartridge, and the electrical compatability with the phono preamp.
 
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charles 1973 said:
I'd fix the speaker first. Also a new cartridge can take 20 - 30 hrs to break in.

That Pyle pre-amp should sound fine. It gets a 4 - 5 star rating from 1,000's of users.

Your Onkyo TX SR505 AVR has an EQ built into it that's far better then almost any outboard EQ if it's set up properly.[/
Click to expand...
 
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I found the Ortofon red to be highly problematic, a lot of records sounded terrible in ways that I don't recall happening when I had a turntable 15-20 years ago. I blamed my preamp, I blamed the records, I tweaked eq, but remained dissatisfied. I upgraded to an Ortofon Blue cart and that solved most of the issues I was experiencing. Definitely fix your tweeter first, then consider a new cart, followed by an improved pre if you're not hearing improvement. I found the TCC-750, with an improved power supply to be really great at the -$100 price point, but there are plenty of others below $200 that are fantastic, too. Lastly, it may just be your speakers- Bose gets a pretty bad rap, some of it is deserved, some of it not; I'm not going to dog pile on them, but it should be mentioned.
 
sqlsavior said:
Of course you need to fix the speaker with the bad tweeter.

Does the radio sound any better than phono?
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I don't use the tuner. When I had a CD player hooked up, the CDs sounded much better than the records do now. I have a surround sound set up using that tuner, and movies sound fantastic through it (I do get a lot of highs). I just recall that, when I used this same turntable with the Bose 503's I had many years ago, the sound reproduction was much, much better than now.
 
charles 1973 said:
I'd fix the speaker first. Also a new cartridge can take 20 - 30 hrs to break in. The Ortofon 2M series of cartridges is not one of my favorite, But it should certainly sound way better the you describe and probably will once broken in and you have the speaker repaired or replaced.

While I wouldn't buy that Pyle pre-amp, based on the many 4 - 5 star reviews it should be fine or at least OK for an entry level set up like yours.

Your Onkyo TX SR505 AVR has an EQ built into it that's far better then almost any outboard EQ if it's set up properly. And yes, depending on room acoustics a properly calibrated EQ can make a night and day difference in achieving a well balanced sound from any speaker.

That said, Turntables probably have the most variability in frequency response of any source thanks to the mechanical nature of the cartridge, and the electrical compatibility with the phono preamp.
Click to expand...

I bought the Pyle pre-amp because it was inexpensive (about $45). I couldn't spend more than that. As far as the EQ settings for the Onkyo, I have run through each "Listening Mode" to see if any of them fixed the problem, but it did not. The only other audio settings that I know of are "Tone"; treble and bass And both are at their max; 10. Reducing them doesn't make much of a discernable difference at all.
It's too late now, but what cartridge (within the price range of the Ortofon 2M Red) would you suggest for better performance?
 
The listening mode is not the EQ I'm referring to on the AVR. Look up AUDYSSEY 2EQ set up in the manual or Google it. This requires the use of a microphone that plugs into the AVR that is usually supplied with the unit.

Once you get 20 - 30 hrs on the cartridge it will improve considerably. Both my Nagoaka MP11, And Rega Carbon cartridge sounded disappointing until 20 hrs. By 30 hrs they sounded like a different cartridge. The Ortofon 2M Red isn't a bad cartridge for most. Many people give it top marks. It just not my preference with my system. In fact with you're Bose speakers it might work very well.

As I said, Your Pyle preamp isn't the problem either. The malfunctioning tweeter is a problem. If you have to you might find some used property operating speakers locally for reasonable prices Or a new bookshelf pair can probably be had for about $200, Ideally replacing the tweeter on that Bose speaker is best. Those are nice speakers when they are operating correctly.

Proper cartridge alignment and tracking force is important. You can Google that to confirm its set up properly if you need too.

All in all, you have a decent stereo system there. It just needs a little patience while the cartridge breaks in and a little TLC.
 
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Art Vandalay said:
I bought the Pyle pre-amp because it was inexpensive (about $45). I couldn't spend more than that. As far as the EQ settings for the Onkyo, I have run through each "Listening Mode" to see if any of them fixed the problem, but it did not. The only other audio settings that I know of are "Tone"; treble and bass And both are at their max; 10. Reducing them doesn't make much of a discernable difference at all.
It's too late now, but what cartridge (within the price range of the Ortofon 2M Red) would you suggest for better performance?
Click to expand...
First, the Pyle is just that, a pile, here's a link to a thread comparing 2 very inexpensive phono preamps, think under $100 that are heads above.
 
Art Vandalay said:
I am new to this forum and hope all of you can assist me.
I have an Onkyo TX SR505 receiver, a Polk sub, and a pair of Bose 401's. After recently digging out my Kenwood MK1600 turntable (also connecting an inexpensive Pyle pre-amp) and adding a new Ortofon 2M Red cartridge to revisit my LPs, I was really disappointed in the audio quality of the records. The highs, like cymbals, etc.., were pretty much non-existent and the overall sound quality was dull and flat.
I determined that the tweeter in the left 401 requires replacing. But other than that, I am just really disappointed in the sound.
Would forum members recommend the addition of an EQ? Purchasing new speakers right now is not an option. What EQs would you recommend in the sub $200 category?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It hasn't been asked, are you certain the cartridge is aligned properly and with the proper VTF (vertical tracking force)?

A few tools of the trade, each about $10

Jeweller's loupe to inspect the stylus for detritus
images (13).jpeg

Digital scale to set VTF
AAADSFG__30177.jpg

Alignment protractor super easy to use
images (14).jpeg

s-l400 (2).jpg

Dust brush to use before each playdownload (2).jpeg


Stylus cleaner, I've used this for decades
s-l400.jpg
 
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I have a week or so before I cannot return the Pyle pre-amp and Ortofon cartridge. What would you guys suggest I replace them with within a nominal price range of them? I can't spend much money, but I would assume that with the receiver and speakers I have, I should get decent audio from a record!
 
Art Vandalay said:
I had a technician install and align the cartridge. I do not like assuming anything, but I hope he did it properly.
Click to expand...

I've edited the above post to include some items anyone listening to vinyl should have, each around $10. You will also need some sort of record cleaning regimen if not already, lots of threads on the matter here.

Don't get discouraged, there should be mention of different methods from using the kitchen sink, ultra sonic cleaners, up to some expensive record cleaning machines. Many here use a bit of Dawn in some distilled water and a soft brush, then different drying methods from just air drying, microfiber cloths, to vacuum systems.
 
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