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Tonearm Noise

Hi to you all, hope all is well. I have a question that I feel some of you can answer. I moved to a new place and because of school, my internship and job hunting, I wasn't able to unpack and set up my amp and turnatble until 2-3 weeks ago (tehy were boxed up for about 3 months). Since then I noticed that whenenver I handle the tonearm it makes a loud noise similar to a microphone being tapped or dragged, but once the stylus hits the record it is completely quiet. There has always been a sound that comes through the speakers but never as loud as this. I've searched the forums here and at tother sites to see if I need to lube the pivot point but there are conflicting opinions regarding this, some say yes to reduce friction and some say no because the area will collect dust. My turntable is a Nottingham Interspace Jr. with an Interspace arm. Thanks in adavance.
rangefinder
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I'm not familiar with the Interspace, but if the pivot isn't designed to be lubed then don't. Do however, take the arm off the pivot and make sure both sides are very clean.

Try using a longish wood pencil or other non-conductor to lift and move the arm to the cueing position. It's possible your finger is bringing some electrical interference too close to the cartridge.
rangefinder OP
18 posts
 
Thanks Dougdeacon, I will try that, although it makes a sound even when the arm is being lowered. I did forget to mention that I changed the cartridge clips to JA Michell Premium clips so may be causing the noise.
lewm
13,018 posts
 
The "sound" is heard through your speakers. Yes? Can you also hear some noise locally emanating direct from your tonearm as it is lowered? If not, then I suspect that your proximity to the tonearm is creating a ground loop of some kind. Also, it would be helpful if you can characterize the noise a bit better. Is it a hum, a buzz, a mechanical scraping sound, or what?
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