Turntable problem

[Chalupa]

OK. So I bought a NOS VPI HW-19Jr. back in the spring. I FINALLY hooked it up this weekend. I probably used it 5 hours total when I noticed that the left channel had gone out. I did a diagnosis working backwards from the speakers to the source and have narrowed it down to the turntable. It's either the stylus/cartridge or the wiring for the arm. The arm(Rega RB300) is brand spanking new as is the cartridge(Goldring 1012GX). It sounded sweet right up until I noticed that there was no sound coming out of the one channel. No indication that it was about to punk out on me. Question: is there anyway of knowing whether the problem is the wiring or the stylus without swapping out the stylus? I've been looking at ordering a replacement stylus and they're about $175. So before I go that route I want to make sure that's not the wiring. Help would be appreciated.

[Daniel A]

I couln't be the stylus, since the channel separation is done by the cartridge. I think the most probable cause would be either the connection between the cartridge and the arm or in the cables/connection between turntable and amplifier.

[Chalupa]

I couln't be the stylus, since the channel separation is done by the cartridge. I think the most probable cause would be either the connection between the cartridge and the arm or in the cables/connection between turntable and amplifier.

I checked the connection between the cartridge and the arm - that looks good. Nothing loose. I did notice that when I have the headphones on I can hear the left channel(the channel that is not working) is putting out a little bit of sound. I mean I have to CRANK up the volume just about all the way but it's there. I tried going through the aux channel using a phono pre-amp that I had lying around and the still barely perceptible sound is coming through the left channel. When I run the cd player through the aux the sound levels are on both channels are equal. So it's definitely not the pre amp. Also I did notice that as I was putting the turntable's cables back into the pre amp's phono inputs that there was a loud "click" when I connected the right channel and a soft "click" when I pushed in the left. Normally, I would do the above procedure with the power off but in my haste I forgot to turn the pre amp off.

What would cause the wiring to go bad after just 5 hours of use?? Is there some kind of device that would allow me to check the output of the cables of the tonearm??

[Chalupa]

I couln't be the stylus, since the channel separation is done by the cartridge. I think the most probable cause would be either the connection between the cartridge and the arm or in the cables/connection between turntable and amplifier.

What would cause the wiring to go bad after just 5 hours of use?? Is there some kind of device that would allow me to check the output of the cables of the tonearm??

Oh yeah a multimeter. I think I can borrow one from my Father-in-Law.

[Daniel A]

Also I did notice that as I was putting the turntable's cables back into the pre amp's phono inputs that there was a loud "click" when I connected the right channel and a soft "click" when I pushed in the left.

I'm not sure about this, but I have a feeling it might be something wrong with the RCA plug. I'm thinking that if the wiring was OK all the way up to the arm, that would be enough to pick up some ground noise when connecting the plug. To me, no "click" suggests that the circuit is broken close to the amp.

[Daniel A]

The output signal from a phono cartridge is so weak that it would take something more than an ordinary RadioShack-ish multimeter to test it, but you Father-in-law may of course have some serious stuff.

[Chalupa]

I just want to be clear you that mean male plug on the cable and not the female in preamp right? I actually tried plugging in the right channel into the left and vice versa. The problem is definitely with the left channel wire coming from the turntable.

[Chalupa]

but you Father-in-law may of course have some serious stuff.

Oh yeah he was an electrican for 37 years before he retired. He still does a little work under the table.

[Daniel A]

I just want to be clear you that mean male plug on the cable and not the female in preamp right?

Yes!

[Claude]

I did a diagnosis working backwards from the speakers to the source and have narrowed it down to the turntable. It's either the stylus/cartridge or the wiring for the arm. The arm(Rega RB300) is brand spanking new as is the cartridge(Goldring 1012GX). It sounded sweet right up until I noticed that there was no sound coming out of the one channel. No indication that it was about to punk out on me. Question: is there anyway of knowing whether the problem is the wiring or the stylus without swapping out the stylus?

Go one step further in narrowing down the problem and switch the cartridge wiring between the channels (switch the cables between the sides on the cartridge). If the sound problem stays on the same channel it is the wiring/tone arm, if it changes to the other channel it is the cartridge.

BTW, the Goldring manual is available here:

http://www.vinylengine.com/library_model.p...cted_model=1012

(there is an error with the file name, you must rename the extension to pdf)

Edited November 11, 2007 by Claude

[Chalupa]

I did a diagnosis working backwards from the speakers to the source and have narrowed it down to the turntable. It's either the stylus/cartridge or the wiring for the arm. The arm(Rega RB300) is brand spanking new as is the cartridge(Goldring 1012GX). It sounded sweet right up until I noticed that there was no sound coming out of the one channel. No indication that it was about to punk out on me. Question: is there anyway of knowing whether the problem is the wiring or the stylus without swapping out the stylus?

Go one step further in narrowing down the problem and switch the cartridge wiring between the channels (switch the cables between the sides on the cartridge). If the sound problem stays on the same channel it is the wiring/tone arm, if it changes to the other channel it is the cartridge.

BTW, the Goldring manual is available here:

http://www.vinylengine.com/library_model.p...cted_model=1012

(there is an error with the file name, you must rename the extension to pdf)

Well I switched the cartridge wiring like you suggested and the problem stayed on the same channel. CRAP! That means I have to disassemble the arm and send it back. :rmad: :rmad: :rmad:

[Daniel A]

Well I switched the cartridge wiring like you suggested and the problem stayed on the same channel. CRAP! That means I have to disassemble the arm and send it back. :rmad: :rmad: :rmad:

It may still be an RCA plug problem, of course.

[Claude]

Yes, the test result means that the problem is not the catridge, but another part of the turntable, from the tonearm wiring to the cable between the turntable and the amplifier (if there is a cable attached).

I forgot, it could also be the phono input of the amp. You would have to connect a working turntable to the amp to find that out, or connect your turntable to another working amp.

Edited November 12, 2007 by Claude

[Daniel A]

I forgot, it could also be the phono input of the amp.

No, because:

I tried going through the aux channel using a phono pre-amp that I had lying around and the still barely perceptible sound is coming through the left channel.

[Claude]

Sorry, I hadn't noticed that.

[Chalupa]

Update.

So I went out to my F-i-L's house on Sunday and I FORGOT the multimeter. D'oh! Anyway Today I decided to trying all of the connections again just to be sure I didn't screw anything up. Same result. HOWEVER..... After I re-attached the leads to the cart I tried it again and IT WORKED!! Both channels!!! I'm guessing that the red or green lead wire is loose. So I called the dealer(Vladimir@North Country Audio) and he suggested to just keep the arm until the channel goes out again. The Rega warranty still has another 2.5 years on it I believe.

[porcy62]

Update.

So I went out to my F-i-L's house on Sunday and I FORGOT the multimeter. D'oh! Anyway Today I decided to trying all of the connections again just to be sure I didn't screw anything up. Same result. HOWEVER..... After I re-attached the leads to the cart I tried it again and IT WORKED!! Both channels!!! I'm guessing that the red or green lead wire is loose. So I called the dealer(Vladimir@North Country Audio) and he suggested to just keep the arm until the channel goes out again. The Rega warranty still has another 2.5 years on it I believe.

Glad to hear it. I know how it could be stressfull with new (or used) audio stuff.

Lately I passed through some similar trouble with a preamp I really crave, on the paper: first one I got had a problem with one channel, second one had a problem with a defective tube. Fixed all that, I just discovered I didn't like how it sounded in my audio chain, fortunately I could have my old preamp back and it didn't cost me a dime. This frustrating story started in july, with stuff coming in and back from Osaka to Rome, from the shop to my house and back, not a real tragedy, but an hassle for sure.

[Chalupa]

Update.

So I went out to my F-i-L's house on Sunday and I FORGOT the multimeter. D'oh! Anyway Today I decided to trying all of the connections again just to be sure I didn't screw anything up. Same result. HOWEVER..... After I re-attached the leads to the cart I tried it again and IT WORKED!! Both channels!!! I'm guessing that the red or green lead wire is loose. So I called the dealer(Vladimir@North Country Audio) and he suggested to just keep the arm until the channel goes out again. The Rega warranty still has another 2.5 years on it I believe.

Glad to hear it. I know how it could be stressfull with new (or used) audio stuff.

Lately I passed through some similar trouble with a preamp I really crave, on the paper: first one I got had a problem with one channel, second one had a problem with a defective tube. Fixed all that, I just discovered I didn't like how it sounded in my audio chain, fortunately I could have my old preamp back and it didn't cost me a dime. This frustrating story started in july, with stuff coming in and back from Osaka to Rome, from the shop to my house and back, not a real tragedy, but an hassle for sure.

Oh man, I can't tell you what FOUL mood I've been in the past three days. I'm sure my wife could tell you, though

Oh and a BIG 'THANKS" :tup to everyone for helping me diagnose the problem.

[Chalupa]

Ugh.

The left channel went out again yesterday*. I was able to get it to work this morning but only after playing around with the left RCA a little bit. I guess I'm going to bit the bullet and send it back. I've been toying w/ the idea of splicing in two new RCA jacks. I've also thought about getting it modded w/ Incognito wiring. But that's gonna set me back around $300 all told. Anyone ever upgraded their arms w/ Incognito??

* Oh and if that wasn't bad enough my bike got a flat tire on the way to work. Fortunately, there is a bike shop a block from work and they fixed it for me. Unfortunately, as I was riding home for lunch I got ANOTHER FLAT TIRE!! Two in one day. WTF??? :rmad: :rmad:

I mean what's next? A plague of locusts???

Edited November 15, 2007 by J.H. Deeley

[Chalupa]

Update.

So I sent the arm back yesterday. A friend of mine was going to lend me his Dual TT until I got the arm back(and now he's out of town until next weekend) but I said,"Nah, I'll just play CDs for a week."

Famous. Last. Words.

I was listening to an Ornette CD this morning and when it was over I put in another disc and the CD player would not read the disc. "Hmm... OK maybe it doesn't like the disc." I tried 5 or 6 more CDs. Same result. So now I'm down to music on my computer for the next couple of days. Ugh.

Man, what did I do to piss off the Audio Gods???

[Chalupa]

Conclusion.

Got the arm back on Monday. The dealer actually sent it back to Rega to have them fix it. Looks like they installed a new RCA cable. Unlike the old cable, on this cable the left and right outputs are not covered in a big chunk of plastic. Additionally, it looks like they resoldered the leads to the cartridge. It seems to be working fine. I just need to tweak the cartridge alignment some more before I can go on a vinyl listening binge.

Man, I've learned more about tonearms in past month or so they I ever wanted to know about them.

[Jim Alfredson]

I still have my VPI HW19Jr. Gotta hook that baby up again.