turntable help

Technics 1600 mkii (not wood grain)

Project has a series of tts with auto return, has some name like "comfort" or smith

those are quite expensive IIRC

stevie -- sounds like you're having a tuff go-of-it playing your wax -- quick google found these:

http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=49434
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9lv9ou_Qnk

Your symptoms point to a bad DIN, but who knows as it could also be loos wiring anywhere along the path (did you check the cartridge/stylus?). The pics showing the quick clips make it look like a straight-forward job (white,green,green,red,,,,BLACK; where does that 'fifth' wire go in a RCA scenario?) to switch to RCA output, but it sure looks like a nice unit. Good luck!

http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=xpressioncomfort

700 euros inc 2M Red Ortofon cartridge, not cheap but not that expensive, maybe you can find a used one or bargain w local pro-ject dealer?

Thanks Bodacious - found that vid too, and what that guy does is WAY beyond my skillset (though it did confirm that I can't just cut off the din socket and whack on some RCAs). With patient wobbling I can get it to work alright (and how glorious it sounds when it does) but it is still temperamental - going to take it somewhere and get someone who isn't a klutz to fix it for me when I get some time and cash.

stupid turntable question

i know that you are supposed to ground most turntables, often by attaching the grounding wire to a pre-amp or amp.

for me, that is no problem.

the problem is that the electrical outlet nearest to where i have my system set up, is not properly grounded. if that's the case, and i plug my turntable into the outlet (or rather into a surge protector that is plugged into the outlet), will i get the "hum" characteristic of ungrounded turntables?

hmm, i found this

http://ask.metafilter.com/30282/Grounding-appliances-in-a-2prong-apartment

Grounding is beneficial only if you have a short in the appliance and could get a shock. Lack of grounding doesn't harm the sound, except for the wire from the turntable to the amplifier, which needs to be either connected or disconnected according to which way eliminates loud hum.

this sounds like it makes sense, but as with all stereo system-related advice, i'm likely to find the opposite admonition on another webpage.

yeah, the shared grounding of outlets is more about not getting a shock from touching your toaster and turntable cases at the same time.

yeah I don't have grounded outlets either, no prob

No humming, no elec shocks; no problem

here's something i noticed

my receiver/amp produces a hum in the right channel (it's audible if you turn the volume up loud) when it's set to "phono," even if nothing is actually plugged into the phono inputs. (it's not a speaker problem, since i swapped speakers a few times and it's always the right channel.) the hum doesn't appear when the amp is set to "aux," "CD," etc.

so i'm guessing this is a problem with the phono stage inside the receiver. there are a few possible fixes/workarounds:

1) just switch the built-in preamp in my new audio-technica turntable on and plug the deck into the "aux" inputs on my receiver, thus bypassing the phono stage altogether

2) don't use the built-in preamp in the turntable, but rather get a dedicated standalone phono pre-amp which can be plugged into the "aux" inputs. i imagine some audiophiles who are skeptical of phono stages in receivers and turntables would recommend this option.

3) just buy a new receiver to replace my 21-year-old kenwood.

do you think i'd really notice an improvement in sound quality using a $200 dedicated phono preamp rather than the preamp built into the audio-technica?

oh and i guess 4) i could try to repair the phono stage in the receiver. but that seems like the dumbest option since it would cost $$ and it's probably not a great machine to begin with.

out of curiosity, which kenwood?

I haven't listened much to turntable-integrated phono stages but if it sounds good to your ears I suggest you enjoy it- and I'm certain your money would be better spent on a new integrated amplifier w phono stage rather than a standalone preamp, in terms of sonic value for money

hmm that hum though - did you by chance try disconnecting/turning off other electrical equipment on same "network" (dunno the english term here) as the amp? sometimes dimmable lights for instance can generate hum

What he said.

hmm that hum though - did you by chance try disconnecting/turning off other electrical equipment on same "network" (dunno the english term here)

circuit

thanks for the advice! yeah, given that eventually i will probably want to get a new receiver, it probably isn't worthwhile to get a standalone phono amp. honestly, i'm more than a little skeptical of the folks who insist those things are necessary for good sound. some of them also /look/ fairly ridiculous, like they are trying to impress with lots of geeky-looking parts.

the kenwood receiver is an 104AR (http://www.cnet.com/products/kenwood-104ar-av-receiver/specs/). i probably bought it for $200 or $250 in... 1996 or something like that.

i was purposely troubleshooting the hum, so i isolated the receiver. it was the only thing plugged into the outlet at the time. adding a CD player and a little lamp to the circuit later didn't change the hum for better or for worse.

1) did you mention the model of the audio technica tt? If it's the AT-LP120, it seems like a good'nuf pre-amp for what you got. Not to offend, but

2). Does the hum change if you use the pre-amp off and go directly into the phono stage -vs- pre-amp on and connect via AUX?

3). Since you also indicate that you're getting hum from a CD player, that would point towards the receiver (which might not be grounding at all -- that could indicate a leaky capacitor or some-such; not likely if it's from your new receiver.

4). Even if you only used one electrical socket, the circuit may also serve many other outlets and fixtures -- need to turn off circuit at the breaker to get a better indication of what else lies on that particular circuit (however, i've read that dimmers can transfer hum beyond one single circuit -- even you really want to get crazy, first isolate everything on your "stereo circuit" and turn of everything but your stereo, then, turn off every other breaker so it eliminates everything else in your home. If you eliminate the hum, subsequent circuits being re-engaged may help identify if the noise is coming from some other fixture).

I use a product called de-Oxit on just about every critical connection (isopropyl and a q-tip may be just as effective) -- it comes in small nail polish-like bottle where you "brush, set, and wipe" to remove oxidation.

Also, for my money, I would skip a dedicated phono amp and put any extra funds towards a better amp/receiver.

...Sorry for the mis-mash of this response, but i'm writing as i read subsequent posts so i'm unsure if yr talking about the new receiver or the old. However, if you the hum ONLY comes from the receiver's phono stage, then use the pre-amp and plug into AUX.

..also, you may be able to ground by connecting to the screw on the cover plate of the outlet.

I have a cheapo Akai AK-D2 I got used a while ago and I want to swap out the cartridge for less than idk $75-100 or so. Is there a fan favorite? I was looking at the Grado Black, AT95E, and Shure M97xE

I have the shure, and like it. Also sounds fine with cheaper after market stylus. I've never heard or owned the other two, though.

the Shure has a little damped brush thing they claim helps track warped records and reduce static electricity; whether it really makes a noticeable difference I don't know but it does do an amazing job of cleaning the dust from your records, much better than those old Discwasher things did. I have an older, discontinued Shure cartridge so I can't speak for the M97xE's sound quality.

what cartridge is currently mounted?

Danish bias, I always recommend Ortofon for new cartridges

right now i have whatever came w/ my used-ass turntable 5 years ago, i think it's a Shure PRO-7? I want to get a new needle but think it'd just be easier/only slightly more expensive to just get a new cartridge

the AT95E is like $40 on Amazon and is probably what i'll spring for

aight, was just thinking that if the current cartridge was decent and you weren't looking for an upgrade it would have to be a bit cheaper and easier to just replace the needle

but maybe the AT95E is better value, and then you can replace that needle instead in five years

Shure is solid, Ortofon 2M Red is sub $100 and another solid choice (it's kinda the entry level to their audiophile line).

Honestly never felt Audio-Technica were much cop but it's all in the ear of the beholder.

2m red cartridge is indeed a good entry point and when the needle wears thin you can exchange it for the 2m blue needle

The Ortofon 2M Red is what came pre-fitted with my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon and I can't find fault with it. What I have now is vastly different to my idiot-audiophile days, especially downstream of the sources, and my listening habits are very different too, but I don't find myself hankering over anything better. Mad good separation (or else phase issues that make everything more 3D, who knows), nothing harsh, great low end.

I have the 2M Blue, it's good but I'll never love a cart like the now discontinued Denon DL 160 :(

Does anyone have a picture of a 1200 w/ ortofon blue / red from above so I can see the overhang? I've been trying to adjust mine by using a paper protractor from VinylEngine but I'm not sure I've done it right. Bass response seems to have been minimized.

I'm not sure, but I don't think bass response is where you'd suffer

I'm wondering if I need to adjust the counterbalance now that the cartridge has been moved forward. I guess I should just recalibrate with the new position

Yeah, I'd readjust tracking force to be sure. And the VTA.

I have an ortofon bronze now and it's crazy good. Had the red in the past, also good. Solid MM cartridges!

so so so I have a Philips 212 which I love to death BUT it is not very tolerant of vinyl with the slightest scratches on it. Someone was telling me that I should change the cartridge for one that's heavier/more stable - does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

is that tubular thing on the arm not a weight that'll allow you to change the tracking? moving that towards the needle would increase the pressure a bit.

yeah, but not really having enough effect. I was told by someone that a different kind of cartridge, with a different kind of stylus might help, but they were a bit vague on it. Something to do with a different kind of stylus that's more forceful in how it ploughs through the groove.

I think as a rule of thumb a better stylus will always have better tracking - so any upgrade should help

You might want to look for an elliptical stylus for your cartridge. What kind of cart do you have on the 212 right now?

Just the original philips one it came with

If it's an old stylus I'd still suggest any news is good news

thanks all - saw online that the Audio-Technica AT95EBL cartridge is a good budget replacement, and I think it's elliptical.

The spherical stylus

The spherical shaped stylus is the simplest and
cheapest to produce and it is, therefore, the
most common. Spherical styli can be
recommended in all cases where robustness and
economy are taken into consideration in the
purchase of a cartridge.

The elliptical stylus
The elliptical shaped stylus bears greater
resemblance to the triangular shaped cutting
stylus that is used when cutting master records.
The elliptical stylus is able to follow the groove
oscillations more accurately than the spherical
type, and its distortion and phase error will,
therefore, be less.

via https://www.ortofon.com/media/14912/everything_you_need_to_know_about_styli_types.pdf - p helpful at first glance

thanks all - saw online that the Audio-Technica AT95EBL cartridge is a good budget replacement, and I think it's elliptical.

that's the one that came with my turntable, and it's definitely an upgrade on the godawful shitquake i used to have. other audio issues aside, several previously skippy records of mine that were seemingly destined for the bin now play all the way through without one hiccup

aaaand that's exactly the hard-sell I needed, thanks Nick!

(is it difficult to replace a cartridge?)

New Poll

It's not, really, but you'll need needle nose pliers and small screwdrivers. New cart should have a wiring diagram or color-coded posts (Red-Right, White-Left, Green-Right Ground, Blue-Left Ground if it doesn't). I'd advise downloading and printing a protactor from online - or at least making note of where the needle hits compared to your old cart and approximating that, heh.

Oh and when you're putting the cart on either leave the stylus cover on or remove the stylus... and attach the wires before you screw the cart on to the headshell.