How to get GOOD sound with GOOD Hi-FI equipment???

[carlover]

Hi everyone,
for many years I was looking for hi-level components to build my home sound system and finally, I believe I got the system but...no good sound?!
Long hours, I spent to tweak my system, is just a waist of time. I'm still unhappy and badly need someones help.
So here is my system:
Thorens TD 166 MkII turntable with Shure V15 Type VxMR cartridge, Sugden a21 SE amplifier, Living Voice Auditorium II speakers, Vanden Hull cable, Audio Quest cable, ProJect II phono amplifier.
If you are considering each component, it's a very good Hi-Fi device, but the sound is very dry, lacks Low Frequencies (deep bass), and even my headphones (Sennheizer 565 Ovation) connected to dedicated Amity amp. have the same problem.
Please, anyone, who are experienced in this field, can you leave some thoughts?
thank you

[John]

Hi Val
Welcome to AOS is probably get more help if you ask your question in Blank canvas
If you can show us some pictures of your set up, sometimes speaker placement can make a big difference or room layout can help/hinder
Do you live in a heavily built up area near factories? Mains can make a difference to some systems
Others will know your equipment better and may help more with this

[carlover]

Thank you John for getting back to me.
I live in quiet residential area, in Highrise.
I will post some pictures later.
thank you
Val

[John]

do post on blank canvas when you share the pictures you get a better response from people who will know your system

[YNWaN]

I would be very surprised if the quality of the mains was the cause of the issues described. First I would ask, do you feel that the bass lacks low frequency content when using other sources than your turntable? I would also ensure that your cartridge is definitely wired up correctly (the correct lead to the correct cartridge pin) as this definately can cause the problem you describe.

[Yomanze]

I think you should try a better phono stage. If it's the same issue through headphones and speakers then something downstream needs changing.

[Audioman]

I think you should try a better phono stage. If it's the same issue through headphones and speakers then something downstream needs changing.

You need to upgrade entire front end. TT something of at least Gyro or Spacedeck quality and a better phono stage. Also the Sugden might not be entirely to your taste. Thorens 166 even a 160 won't cut it with equipment of the standard of Living Voice and Sugden.

[YNWaN]

If the OP is talking about bass quantity I think it is important to first ascertain a context for his comments. He really needs to try the same recording on a CD player (or from a laptop) to decide what scale the problem is.

[Clive]

I'm with Mark's earlier post. Checking polarity of the cartridge connections seems like a good place to start. Seeing as headphones have the same issue then probably the speaker wiring is correct in terms of polarity. If there's a thump on switch on or switch off you could lightly touch the bass drivers and check they move in the same direction when this happens.

[Macca]

. Thorens 166 even a 160 won't cut it with equipment of the standard of Living Voice and Sugden.

A bit contentious that, I think. providing the TT is working 100% there is nothing so special about the amp and speakers that are going to 'show it up' in any way.
That's not to say a better TT would not improve things 'cause it probably would.

I think we need to know what the OP regards as 'deep bass' as this seems to mean different things to different people. Plus expectations of how deep/loud the bass can/should play vary enourmously.

[Audioman]

I think it may be more fundamental than bass. I interpreted the description as a rather leaden sound (dry and lacking bass). A lack of resolution revealed by highly revealing components down the line. The TD160s did have deep bass but not so much lesser variants of the 160/166 range. Also a little dull and cuddly by todays standards. I would always go for the garbage in garbage out theory. Of course trying an alternative source such as a good CD player may prove or disprove this diagnosis.

[struth]

Plenty good starting points there...certainly you need to see if the problems exist thoughout your peripherals