New stylus or...?

[Friendly Ghost]

So I've gotten new speakers recently going from Focal aria 906's to the absolutely amazing Proac D30RS.

Ever since the switch I've noticed a lack of excitement (lacking a better word) when using my turntable.

The cartridge was bought end of 2016, so I guess a new stylus might be in order. I however wondered if there is something else to try.

I've already contacted Audio Technica regarding the replacement stylus, which would be the VMN50Sh.
Do i need to reallign after doing the switch? Or is it a matter of plug and play?
AT mentions changing the tracking weight which has another specification than the AT150sa, so I'll experiment with that offcourse.

 

[rabski]

Definitely check all the alignments even when replacing like-for-like. The cantilever and alignment are likely to be very slightly different, but enough to potentially matter.

Vinyl Engine doesn't show the VMN50sh as a replacement for the AT150, but that may be out of date and I would expect AT to know. I'm assuming the sh means a Shibata stylus profile, in which case combined with a 150, there should be no lack of 'excitement'. If there is, I'd look elsewhere for any problem.

On that point, check the correct loading on your phono stage, as this could 'damp' top-end response a little.

 

[Von Krolock]

Strange - if you heard the shop demo speakers & your speakers are are new they may well need running in.
Your new Proacs might be revealing the deck's limitations but if your AT has had a lot of use the stylus might need replacing.
Shibatas are generally reasonably long livers if they are treated well and play clean records.
Do experiment with cartridge alignment - small adjustments can be noticeable.
'Excitement' can be an elusive thing to get in a hifi so I hope you get it back.

 

[rabski]

Five LPs a week on average is about 1200 hours, but you may play fewer than that or a lot more. The stylus seems to be about £250, so not a deal breaker for peace of mind anyway.

I'd agree about running the speakers for a bit, though experience suggests it's normally the low frequencies and imaging that improve.

Cartidge aligment is worth a check anyway, as Shibatas need careful setting up to really sing nicely. Definitely worth playing around with the VTA, as this can make a major difference.

 

[Friendly Ghost]

Thanks both!
The speakers are ex-demo and don't show any flaws using CD as a source, which is why I think the speaker improvement might show the worn stylus that before I hadn't noticed.
I was also wondering if the improved bass response of the speaker will highlight the differences between CD and vinyl playback. I've read that bass extension on vinyl is limited due to limitations of the format.

I'll order a new stylus as it has been a couple of years already.
And then I'll have to educate myself on how to allign a cartridge as the dealer has done so last time.

 

[Lurch]

When it comes to alignment forget lining up the cart body with the grid lines on your protractor (only useful for initial setup). Get the stylus overhang as dead on a possible (sytlus on the crosshairs) then site down the centreline and up the cantalever and achieve as straight a line as you can (cantalever alignment is more important than cart body alignment) . If this is off the effect will be similar to that seen when looking at a straight stick in a bucket of water (parralax effect).
Also set vta so arm is dead level, once new stylus is run in you can tweak vta, nose down = +hf, arse down = +lf. For 9-10" arms 1mm change at arm pillar = 0.3° SRA change at stylus.

 

[Rockchild]

@Von Krolock is absolutely right about the speakers revealing weaknesses in your system and tbh, they far exceed most of your components. The Proacs thrive on carefully matched ancillaries and of course, will impress on anything but you are questioning things now after your original thread on which speakers.
The good thing is, you have an excellent speaker to build on so improvements will continue whatever you do.
Regarding your deck, it’s a decent one and if I recall, arm choice was an option and with experience, the Jelco isn’t the most dynamic arm choice for that deck and your speakers are showing that. Yes, check your cartridge is ok because it’s a good one but consider a different arm that would complement that deck such as Origin live, Audiomods or even a Project 9cc.
Next move would be either a separate DAC to upgrade your Marantz and then the amp. Proacs love decent current delivery so it’s not how many watts, it’s how they are delivered. Good luck anyway.

 

[Friendly Ghost]

I'll try a new stylus first and go from there if that doesn't sort things out.
I've not heard tonearms described as dynamic before (I thought that more of a TT or cartridge affair).
I don't want to doubt your experience, but could you explain a little further. I've always been amazed of how some people seem to think the Jelco 750 can take very expensive MC's without a problem. Offcourse that might not have any relation to excitement (or dynamism).
With regards to the Creek, I'm quite satisfied with it at the moment. I hope it'll stay that way for a while. One expensive upgrade at a time

 

[Lurch]

Atleast with a stylus swap it's just a simple swap over of assemblies rather than a full cart dismount and remount. Just remember to check everything afterwards and you may need to run at the upper end of the vtf range for the first 30 - 40 hours so the suspension can bed in before going for the middle vtf area.

 

[Von Krolock]

I'll try a new stylus first and go from there if that doesn't sort things out.
I've not heard tonearms described as dynamic before (I thought that more of a TT or cartridge affair).
I don't want to doubt your experience, but could you explain a little further. I've always been amazed of how some people seem to think the Jelco 750 can take very expensive MC's without a problem. Offcourse that might not have any relation to excitement (or dynamism).
With regards to the Creek, I'm quite satisfied with it at the moment. I hope it'll stay that way for a while. One expensive upgrade at a time

Tonearms can make a profound difference. For example an old factory standard Rega 300 was fine and a fantastic piece of engineering designed to be produced in high volumes.
Put one in the hands of an artisan like - for example - Jeff Spall at Audiomods and the difference is astonishing.
Silky bearings and perfect control of the cartridge right into inner grooves.
This is a bit of a distraction from your problem - hopefully a new stylus will sort things out
and you probably do right to change it.
Jelco arms are well respected and we mustn't be spending your money!
Take your time and enjoy!