A Great (Cheap) Turntable/Cartridge

[Lord Reith]

Can any turntable people help me with my problem?

When i plug the turntable into the laptop via a usb interface, there is a low level buzzing in the background. I have the earth lead connected and that does make it better, because without it it is just Buzz City. But I can still hear the buzz in quiet passages. I don't recall this ever happening before.

I've heard that if your house has a bad earth connection then you can connect the earth wire to a metal stake driven into the soil. I don't have a metal stake, but might this actually work? I've tried two difefrent interfaces and computers and am at a dead end.

[Bumblebee]

Can any turntable people help me with my problem?

When i plug the turntable into the laptop via a usb interface, there is a low level buzzing in the background. I have the earth lead connected and that does make it better, because without it it is just Buzz City. But I can still hear the buzz in quiet passages. I don't recall this ever happening before.

I've heard that if your house has a bad earth connection then you can connect the earth wire to a metal stake driven into the soil. I don't have a metal stake, but might this actually work? I've tried two difefrent interfaces and computers and am at a dead end.

This happened to me recently, although not when the deck was connected via USB but simply when I tried to play a record back through the amp. I took all of the connections out, including the earth lead, and reconnected them. That did the trick the first time but the second time it happened I couldn’t get sound through both channels and established that the connecting cable was faulty. Replacing it resolved the issue.

What kind of stalled me off a bit was that my deck is a Pro-Ject as well. The connecting cable that came with it was really thick and heavy and looked to be really well made. Also, it’s not like I’m moving the deck around much so it’s hard to understand why a heavy duty cable like that should give up the ghost so easily, especially one from a decent brand as well.

It does sound like you have an earth problem, likely emanating from the deck rather than it being a house/structural problem. Try a new cable (Pro-Ject ones are around £40 on Amazon).

If, on the other hand, your hair stands on end every time you walk under a light fitting then it could be your house.

Good luck.

[Lord Reith]

Can any turntable people help me with my problem?

When i plug the turntable into the laptop via a usb interface, there is a low level buzzing in the background. I have the earth lead connected and that does make it better, because without it it is just Buzz City. But I can still hear the buzz in quiet passages. I don't recall this ever happening before.

I've heard that if your house has a bad earth connection then you can connect the earth wire to a metal stake driven into the soil. I don't have a metal stake, but might this actually work? I've tried two difefrent interfaces and computers and am at a dead end.

This happened to me recently, although not when the deck was connected via USB but simply when I tried to play a record back through the amp. I took all of the connections out, including the earth lead, and reconnected them. That did the trick the first time but the second time it happened I couldn’t get sound through both channels and established that the connecting cable was faulty. Replacing it resolved the issue.

What kind of stalled me off a bit was that my deck is a Pro-Ject as well. The connecting cable that came with it was really thick and heavy and looked to be really well made. Also, it’s not like I’m moving the deck around much so it’s hard to understand why a heavy duty cable like that should give up the ghost so easily, especially one from a decent brand as well.

It does sound like you have an earth problem, likely emanating from the deck rather than it being a house/structural problem. Try a new cable (Pro-Ject ones are around £40 on Amazon).

If, on the other hand, your hair stands on end every time you walk under a light fitting then it could be your house.

Good luck.

Thanks for the info! It does indeed have a very thick and rugged RCA cable. Unfortunately though it is fixed to the turntable! How did you replace the cable?

This is frustrating for me. I just can't figure out what is wrong. It has been in storage for 10 years, but was basically immobile all that time and I'm sure it did not make that noise when I used it before. I thought maybe the cartridge cables but they look fine and unmarked, and besides that they are virtually impossible to remove.

[ianbuckers]

I hesitate between a Technics sl 1500 mk2 or a SONY PS-4300 two vintage turntables, the technics has only one problem the arm lift doesn't work...

Proper audiophile turntables don't tend to have an automatic arm lift.

The Technics is a good turntable but there are better options. And the PS-4300 was really only a step above the entry level Sony turntables at the time...the ones they included with a stack system...so not really in the same ball park as the Technics.

[Venus and Mars]

I hesitate between a Technics sl 1500 mk2 or a SONY PS-4300 two vintage turntables, the technics has only one problem the arm lift doesn't work...

Proper audiophile turntables don't tend to have an automatic arm lift.

The Technics is a good turntable but there are better options. And the PS-4300 was really only a step above the entry level Sony turntables at the time...the ones they included with a stack system...so not really in the same ball park as the Technics.

thank you, it's good to know, the seller told me that it was the same as the technics except that it's automatic after I think it depends a lot for the sound of cartridge

[ianbuckers]

I hesitate between a Technics sl 1500 mk2 or a SONY PS-4300 two vintage turntables, the technics has only one problem the arm lift doesn't work...

Proper audiophile turntables don't tend to have an automatic arm lift.

The Technics is a good turntable but there are better options. And the PS-4300 was really only a step above the entry level Sony turntables at the time...the ones they included with a stack system...so not really in the same ball park as the Technics.

thank you, it's good to know, the seller told me that it was the same as the technics except that it's automatic after I think it depends a lot for the sound of cartridge

Yes a decent cartridge is an important part of the set-up but a really good cartridge won't magically make a low-end table shine. Both bits need to be decent.

[Bumblebee]

Thanks for the info! It does indeed have a very thick and rugged RCA cable. Unfortunately though it is fixed to the turntable! How did you replace the cable?

This is frustrating for me. I just can't figure out what is wrong. It has been in storage for 10 years, but was basically immobile all that time and I'm sure it did not make that noise when I used it before. I thought maybe the cartridge cables but they look fine and unmarked, and besides that they are virtually impossible to remove.
[/quote]

Despite us both having Pro-Ject decks, they appear to be different. The leads of yours sound like they are integral to the deck whereas mine are stand alone - they fit into the deck in a male/female dock whilst the earth has a horseshoe/ screw attachment. They connect to the amp in a similar fashion.

As your leads are integral then I’d be reluctant to try and change them as you’re going to have to take the deck apart for a start and unless you have the tools and appropriate replacement wiring you could well be on a hiding to nothing.

As a starter, connect the deck to your amp in the normal fashion and see whether you get unhindered playback of a record. Hum can be generated simply by a loose connecting lead, not just the earth. If you still get hum then it does indeed sound like a deck issue. If you don’t, then it could simply be a weak USB lead.

A contributing factor might be that the deck has been in storage for ten years. If it’s been in your loft or garage then the extremes of temperature and humidity could compromise the circuits. For instance, when the temperature drops below around 12c you can get small amounts of condensation.

If the deck is humming regardless of the way in which it’s employed (amp/ usb) then your best bet might be to take it along to a hifi shop and ask for their opinion.

[Lord Reith]

Despite us both having Pro-Ject decks, they appear to be different. The leads of yours sound like they are integral to the deck whereas mine are stand alone - they fit into the deck in a male/female dock whilst the earth has a horseshoe/ screw attachment. They connect to the amp in a similar fashion.

As your leads are integral then I’d be reluctant to try and change them as you’re going to have to take the deck apart for a start and unless you have the tools and appropriate replacement wiring you could well be on a hiding to nothing.

As a starter, connect the deck to your amp in the normal fashion and see whether you get unhindered playback of a record. Hum can be generated simply by a loose connecting lead, not just the earth. If you still get hum then it does indeed sound like a deck issue. If you don’t, then it could simply be a weak USB lead.

A contributing factor might be that the deck has been in storage for ten years. If it’s been in your loft or garage then the extremes of temperature and humidity could compromise the circuits. For instance, when the temperature drops below around 12c you can get small amounts of condensation.

If the deck is humming regardless of the way in which it’s employed (amp/ usb) then your best bet might be to take it along to a hifi shop and ask for their opinion.

I suppose I could shorten the lead and replace the rca plugs. It only needs to go so far as the phono preamp, which is just a small box I can put anywhere. That is assuming the fault in the cable is not near where it joins to the turntable!

It doesn't actually have any electronics inside. The only electrical thing is the motor, and that is just a belt drive where you change the pulley when you need to play a 45rpm. So i find it hard to believe that anything has gone wrong inside. Unless there is some stress issue at the point where the cable joins the chassis. I guess if it was wound up then over the passage of 10 years it could become stressed at that point.

[Bumblebee]

Despite us both having Pro-Ject decks, they appear to be different. The leads of yours sound like they are integral to the deck whereas mine are stand alone - they fit into the deck in a male/female dock whilst the earth has a horseshoe/ screw attachment. They connect to the amp in a similar fashion.

As your leads are integral then I’d be reluctant to try and change them as you’re going to have to take the deck apart for a start and unless you have the tools and appropriate replacement wiring you could well be on a hiding to nothing.

As a starter, connect the deck to your amp in the normal fashion and see whether you get unhindered playback of a record. Hum can be generated simply by a loose connecting lead, not just the earth. If you still get hum then it does indeed sound like a deck issue. If you don’t, then it could simply be a weak USB lead.

A contributing factor might be that the deck has been in storage for ten years. If it’s been in your loft or garage then the extremes of temperature and humidity could compromise the circuits. For instance, when the temperature drops below around 12c you can get small amounts of condensation.

If the deck is humming regardless of the way in which it’s employed (amp/ usb) then your best bet might be to take it along to a hifi shop and ask for their opinion.

I suppose I could shorten the lead and replace the rca plugs. It only needs to go so far as the phono preamp, which is just a small box I can put anywhere. That is assuming the fault in the cable is not near where it joins to the turntable!

It doesn't actually have any electronics inside. The only electrical thing is the motor, and that is just a belt drive where you change the pulley when you need to play a 45rpm. So i find it hard to believe that anything has gone wrong inside. Unless there is some stress issue at the point where the cable joins the chassis. I guess if it was wound up then over the passage of 10 years it could become stressed at that point.

The other thing to try first is to remove all of the wires going into the cartridge and then reconnect them, if one of them isn’t in properly then that will give you hum as well.

If you’re going to start replacing leads I’d be inclined to start with the earth wire. These tend to be fairly narrow and if your unit has been in storage for some time then it could have sat with a kink for ten years which has weakened it.

Personally, if you have a specialist hifi store nearby I’d speak to them and maybe have them look at it for you if the problem persists. There may ultimately be a repair cost but it’ll be less than the price of a new deck and you’re not running the risk of self sabotage in carrying out a home repair.

[Lord Reith]

If you’re going to start replacing leads I’d be inclined to start with the earth wire. These tend to be fairly narrow and if your unit has been in storage for some time then it could have sat with a kink for ten years which has weakened it.

Personally, if you have a specialist hifi store nearby I’d speak to them and maybe have them look at it for you if the problem persists. There may ultimately be a repair cost but it’ll be less than the price of a new deck and you’re not running the risk of self sabotage in carrying out a home repair.

The earth wire is moulded into the rca cable so is kind of held in place. I'm thinking there may be an issue at the point where the cable enters the chassis. I'll do some experiments and see if I can connect a new earth wire somewhere else on the chassis.