I went and got my records from my dad's house. I'd like to be able to listen to them.
When I got the bug in my head to do that, I bought a random preamp off amazon based on reviews. Well...apparently the amazon reviewers don't have a clue how things are supposed to sound. I'd probably be okay with it if I listened to music I didn't know well, but...it sucks. A lot.
Among other things, the high's are rolled off way more than they should be, it's hot as hell (even with the gains on my focusrite 2i2 turned all the way down, it's clipping inputs on most modern records..I'm feeding my monitors with it's direct monitoring), everything sounds "warm" to the point of being muddy, bass extension sucks...it sounds like it's putting a frown EQ on everything. And there are literally no adjustments.
I am using an M-447, which isn't the best cart for this application, but it doesn't sound this bad. Before I hooked this thing up, I listened to a few records with these cartridges, on the same speakers, through my 2016...I'm used to that sound, but I don't want to DJ with them. I'd rather just have it sitting off to the side running into my system for listening and maybe digitizing a few things I only have on vinyl.
I also destroyed one of my styli by fumbling with it...man, I'd forgotten how much of a PITA records are.
Anyway...anyone have any recommendations in the $35-50 price range...I'm looking for something that's as close to dead-flat as possible in the price range, maybe with a gain control. I'm not opposed to digital or class-D hardware (at all), but I'd have to look into how that will change the rest of the setup....in the long run (when I add a monitor controller), it won't matter. But for now, it kind of does. Probably not, though.
Alternatively, is there a software phono-correcting EQ or preamp out there? I can run the TT into a pair of focusrite mic pres and get the level where it should be. I'm actually just thinking about rigging something up in a DAW just because this is ridiculous.
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