turntable background noise

Aug 18, 2009 at 6:22 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 18

kken

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Hi all, this is my first post in the forum. Nice to meet you all!
recently I have purchased a turntable and a phono preamp.
However, when I connect to my mini stereo system, the background noise are fairly loud and noticeable when I turn the volume up. My equipment are the following.

Pro-ject Debut III -> Pro-ject Phono Box -> Onkyo CS-325 mini stereo

Am I missing something between my setup? I know turntable's signal are fairly weak, is there any way to boost the signal after phono preamp? That may solve the background noise issue? Also, I suspect that, my Onkyo cd receiver does not have a designated phono input, the receiver has two pair of RCA input, which is what I am using right now. Maybe designated phono input would solve the issue?

Thank you.
 
Aug 18, 2009 at 9:48 AM Post #4 of 18
Hook up you TT through the Phono Box and into your amp.
If its humm your hearing - you MUST ground the TT/Phono Box to the amp (there should be a ground point on your amp - usually the metal casing).
If the noise is like static - then its likely your leads to your cartridge are loose - they need to be tight as you can make them.
Its also possible that its good old motor noise breaking through - though that shouldn't be happening if its a new TT.
In my experience - noise is almost always due to loose cables or poor grounds.
 
Aug 18, 2009 at 2:05 PM Post #5 of 18
Lots of things in play:

phono cartridge
tone arm wires
turntable ground connection
rca cables from turntable to phono stage (phono box)
ground cable from turntable to phono stage
phonostage itself
outgoing connection on phonostage
cable from phonostage to minisystem
cable connection at minisystem
minisystem itself
 
Aug 18, 2009 at 4:01 PM Post #8 of 18
Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Lots of things in play:

phono cartridge
tone arm wires
turntable ground connection
rca cables from turntable to phono stage (phono box)
ground cable from turntable to phono stage
phonostage itself
outgoing connection on phonostage
cable from phonostage to minisystem
cable connection at minisystem
minisystem itself



Also, assuming that the turntable is new and came properly set up from the manufacturer, it could be as simple as dirty/damaged records.

The anti-skating and/or VTF might also have been accidentally changed.

RFI in the interconnects.

If the turntable is used, then it's a different ballgame.
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 5:12 AM Post #9 of 18
Thank you all for reply in such short time, really appreciated.
Where I work has no internet, so I couldn't reply earlier, apologize for that.

My turntable, pre-amp, cd receiver are all new, and turntable are properly set up. I'll try to describe the static noises again. So here it comes.

My Cd Receiver don't have phono input. But it does have two line in, one for TAPE (cassette) and the other one for iPod dock. Both input looks the same from the back, two pairs of RCA. When I connect my phono preamp to one of the RCA line in, and turn on my turntable, it sounds normal without problem. (Volume around 25, which is not very loud). However when I turn the volume louder around 33, I start noticing background static. Then, I stop the turntable, leave the phono pre-amp on, I can still hear the static at volume 33. My question is that whether this is normal to other people.

I just check my turntable table user manual, it says "Line inputs (such as CD, Tuner, Tape or Video) are not suitable. ... If your amplifier does not have an input suitable for phono cartridges you will require a separate phono amplifier stage" (Which is the phono pre-amp I have bought)

That's why I suspect, I may not getting the best sound due my receiver.

Another question, what will happen if i connect turntable -> Phono preamp -> to a Phono input receiver (instead of RCA line in). Will the sound quality improve? maybe without static?

Thanks again.
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 12:36 PM Post #10 of 18
The Phono-Box is the phono preamp. That should be all you need between the turntable and the mini system.

Try this: Unplug the turntable from the phonobox, and disconnect the ground, then just listen to the phonostage plugged into the minisystem. Is there any noise? Then unplug the phonostage too. So there's nothing on the input. Any noise? Plug the phonostage back in, plug in the turntable, turn it on, but leave the ground disconnected. Any new noise? Then connect the ground wire. Any noise now?
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 3:32 PM Post #11 of 18
Quote:

Originally Posted by kken /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I just check my turntable table user manual, it says "Line inputs (such as CD, Tuner, Tape or Video) are not suitable. ... If your amplifier does not have an input suitable for phono cartridges you will require a separate phono amplifier stage" (Which is the phono pre-amp I have bought)




Your setup is in fact correct, you don't have to worry about this line on the manual, it only suggests that a line input is not suitable to connect the turntable directly, but you have an external preamp so the right connector where to hook it is a line input, just as you have done. If you try to connect the preamp output to a phono input on your receiver ( if it has one ) you'll probably overload it and hear nothing or something heavily distorted, as a phono stage is not designed to handle the line level signal which your Phonobox outputs.

Try what grawk suggested and if the noise is still there , that means it's the preamp and that's nothing wrong with grounding or cartridge etc.

You say you hear that static only when you turn the volume knob up...but how much ? At normal listening level or you have to turn it very high ?
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 5:44 PM Post #12 of 18
I 've try to isolate the static noises.
It is coming from the preamp.
I think it should be normal, because I notice it when I play some solo music, like piano, or vocal solo, or the empty sound between each track.
Regard volume, Max volume is 40, I usually listen to between 25~30. The background statics becomes more noticeable as the volume increases. I can definitely hear it at normal listening volume 25. When I play busier music, like rock, I won't notice the noise. But I am sure it is there.

I think it is the signal from preamp to receiver...

Because I have listening to CD in my past years, and recently step into vinyl world, haven't getting used to it yet...But vinyl does sounds different...
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 11:20 PM Post #13 of 18
Quote:

Originally Posted by kken /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I 've try to isolate the static noises.
It is coming from the preamp.
I think it should be normal, because I notice it when I play some solo music, like piano, or vocal solo, or the empty sound between each track.
Regard volume, Max volume is 40, I usually listen to between 25~30. The background statics becomes more noticeable as the volume increases. I can definitely hear it at normal listening volume 25. When I play busier music, like rock, I won't notice the noise. But I am sure it is there.

I think it is the signal from preamp to receiver...

Because I have listening to CD in my past years, and recently step into vinyl world, haven't getting used to it yet...But vinyl does sounds different...



Try plugging the phono preamp into a different electrical outlet. You can also try relocating the phono preamp to different spot in case it's picking up RFI. Make sure that your interconnects are not running next to any power cords. You could even try different interconnects in case they're picking up some RFI.
 
Aug 20, 2009 at 1:57 AM Post #14 of 18
I think you have some very dirty vynyl....can you audition your records no another setup?
 
Aug 20, 2009 at 3:05 AM Post #15 of 18
Have you cleaned your vinyl and stylus before playing? If you have older LPs (even new ones), you'll want to make sure they're clean before spinning.

You shouldn't have too much background noise. I have a Debut III w/ a new Shure M97xe cart and there's no noise when I listen straight out of my Rotel Preamp. But when I run the preamp TapeOut to another outboard headamp, there is noise. I attribute that to the tape out and cheap interconnects. You need to isolate which portion of your signal path is the problem (or the source material itself, as tjohn aluded to.)
 

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