"lordy" wrote in message


Now I've got my turntable sorted, although I'm spinning
my discs via PC & headphones, the bass just sounds
absent. Is this a common theme with budget phono-stages.
(esp the Maplins one?).

No, its a common theme with budget headphones and speakers. Good bass still
costs money.

Come to think of it, would an external stage of say
£40-50 be better than the one installed inside my old
Cambridge Audio A500 ?

The phono preamps in most mid-fi and better receivers are usually pretty
good in terms of frequency response.

The MP3 files you posted belied your claim. They measured and sounded like
they had plenty of bass.

Of course I was listening to them through fairly credible headphones - Sony
MDR 7506, Sennheiser HD 580, and Audio Technica ATH AD700.

The 580s are probably out of your price range, but stretching a little to
acquire the Sonys or the ATs would probably be a life-changing experience
for you.

If you're really stetched for cash, try some Koss "The Plug" earphones for
about $20. They have nothing if not bass.