Turntable Problems, Issues or Recommendations

[Tim McG]

I've been unable to use my turntable of late and I figuered this would be as good a place as any to get some needed advice or fix-it help.

So I started this thread.

Post your concerns or whatevers about turntables here.

Tim

Edited May 21, 2007 by GoodSpeak

[Tim McG]

I'll start...

For whatever reason my turntable has this persistent "hum" whenever I try to play a record.

I have changed out the jacks, looked for any wires on the stylus that might be touching each other and still no luck.

Any suggestions?

Edited May 21, 2007 by GoodSpeak

[Claude]

Is your turntable grounded? There should be a single thin wire from the turntable which is meant to be connected to the ground connector of the amp.

[Chuck Nessa]

Most turntables are grounded, unlike many users.

[Unk]

Is your turntable grounded? There should be a single thin wire from the turntable which is meant to be connected to the ground connector of the amp.

Good place to start. If you're cool with the grounding, you might want to next CAREFULLY check the wires that lead into the back of the cartridge. Make sure they're fastened securely at both ends. Also, the RCA plugs that go into the back of your pre-amp/phono step-up should be secure and the outside part of the cable end should be making good (clean) contact with the input jack. If not, we can talk 'cleaning'.

[Tim McG]

Is your turntable grounded? There should be a single thin wire from the turntable which is meant to be connected to the ground connector of the amp.

It is grounded....but will it matter if the ground wire is touching the back of the amp? I have the ground wire screwed down with a small washer between it and the metal plate on the amp.

Is your turntable grounded? There should be a single thin wire from the turntable which is meant to be connected to the ground connector of the amp.

Good place to start. If you're cool with the grounding, you might want to next CAREFULLY check the wires that lead into the back of the cartridge. Make sure they're fastened securely at both ends. Also, the RCA plugs that go into the back of your pre-amp/phono step-up should be secure and the outside part of the cable end should be making good (clean) contact with the input jack. If not, we can talk 'cleaning'.

I haven't tried the back of the cartridge yet.

I will say this: There is a fair amount of dust back there. Is this going to be an issue?

Thanks for the help, Guys.

[Unk]

If that grounding wire is connected to proper grounding points on both turntable and amp, you should be cool, even with the washer. (It's not, like some plastic or rubber washer is it?) Just curious, does the amp's power cord have a separate ground (three-prong type)? Any idea if that third prong in your houseehold circuit is properly grounded. (I know I'm stretching here.) I'm guessing that, in your area, it could be either brand-new construction, older or just about anywhere in-between.

[Tim McG]

If that grounding wire is connected to proper grounding points on both turntable and amp, you should be cool, even with the washer. (It's not, like some plastic or rubber washer is it?) Just curious, does the amp's power cord have a separate ground (three-prong type)? Any idea if that third prong in your houseehold circuit is properly grounded. (I know I'm stretching here.) I'm guessing that, in your area, it could be either brand-new construction, older or just about anywhere in-between.

Do you mean the wall socket itself or the plug?

[Shrdlu]

I don't think it matters whether the electricity supply is grounded, but (as has been said) you MUST have a good ground connection between the turntable and amplifier. But that's easy to do. The power wire to my turntable has no ground.

[You also have to run a ground from the turntable to the computer if you are ever going to transfer your LPs to digital format.]

If you have checked this and still have hum, try removing any other electrical equipment that may be near your hifi.

[jostber]

I'll start...

For whatever reason my turntable has this persistent "hum" whenever I try to play a record.

I have changed out the jacks, looked for any wires on the stylus that might be touching each other and still no luck.

Any suggestions?

You might need a analogue to digital adapter between the turntable and the amplifier? Also check that the amplifier is connected to power with AD/DC adapter and not just a cable.

[Shawn]

I have a Technics 1800 turntable in dire need of a new RCA cable (mine has a bad short in it). Since it's the kind that's hard-wired into the turntable I'm unsure where to look for a replacement. Would Technics have spare parts? Or is there a special order place I can get it from?

Thanks

[jostber]

I have a Technics 1800 turntable in dire need of a new RCA cable (mine has a bad short in it). Since it's the kind that's hard-wired into the turntable I'm unsure where to look for a replacement. Would Technics have spare parts? Or is there a special order place I can get it from?

Thanks

You can check with a retailer like this:

http://www.westenddj.co.uk/category.aspx?categoryID=174