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two problems with turntable

First time poster here. First of all, thanks to the group for providing some insight as to problem solving as well as your experiences with various brands of audio gear. This sight, has been very informative over the years as well as entertaining at times.

My system:
TT-Acoustic Solid, White,(no longer in production but similar to other Acoustic Solid models), WTB 370 arm made by REGA, Ortofon Quintet, Red. This TT isn't common in US as they mainly sell in Europe, Asia and Canada
Gold Note PH 10
Innuos Zen MK3
Bryston BP17 cubed with DAC
Bryston 4B cubed
Vandersteen TREO CT
Vandersteen Sub 3 (2)
Cables IC-Audioquest Yukon, Speaker-Cardas, Power-Audioquest NRG Y3
Room treatments-GIK and Acoustimass panels

This system was put together over the past few years. All components worked perfectly very well until recently. About five months ago I broke the red lead wire on the tonearm which is the right side (+) and after the wire was replaced and sent back by a reputable dealer, I notice the left channel plays about 5-10 db lower than right channel. The dealer says that if I bring the entire TT back to the store, they will analyze completely but they're over an hour away. This problem only occurs with TT playback and not digital playback and has been this way about two months. The other issue I have is with anti skate. The recommended VTF is 2.1 to 2.5 and it's currently set at 2.28. The optimum setting I have found for anti skate is just above zero which seems odd because most set ups call for anti skate to be set similar with VTF. VTA and Azimuth settings appear to be spot on and the right channel plays perfect. Cartridge alignment was set up properly with the protractor provided. The Gold Note has two inputs and I've tried both inputs  with the same results. 

This forum has some extremely experienced and sharp minds and I hope that one or more of you can help me solve this issue.

Thanks,

George



george4471
george4471 OP
9 posts
 
@millercarbon- I will try your suggestion tomorrow  being very careful as I already know the clip and wire can be broken easily
@cleeds- I did reverse the turntable leads and encountered the same problem. Approximately 5-10 db less on left channel. Perhaps it is phono stage even though only two years old. Would you rule out the amp since this difference in volume  only occurs on TT playback?
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
Cleeds advice first, cardinal rule isolate to component first. Nice system, bet it sounds great :-) Treo CT are a treat.
some Rega arms use a DIN at base of arm, check to see if we’ll seated

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 
If Digital Replays with no concerning issues.
Use the Power Amp's Digital Input as the Phon's PH 10 Input, and use the Digital Input at the Phon's Input.

If the problem Phon's Issue migrates across the Inputs, then the Problem will be looking most likely to be upstream of the Power Amp.

Can the PH 10 be bypassed to see if it has a issue, Is there another option to use in place of the PH 10.
Does the Amp Set Up have a Phono Input ?
  
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Antiskating = VTF
This is oldschool rule and it’s valid for conical or elliptical styli only.

With advanced stylus profile it must be ~ 50% of the VTF. 

You can adjust it with Hi-Fi News LP (test record).

Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
5,951 posts
 
george4471
...I did reverse the turntable leads and encountered the same problem. Approximately 5-10 db less on left channel.
That means the problem is either in your phono stage, preamp or amplifier, because you wrote this when you started:
... the left channel plays about 5-10 db lower than right channel ...
...yet the bad channel didn’t follow your change.

The next step is to reverse the left and right phono preamplifier output leads at the input of your preamplifier. If the bad channel switches to the right - which is likely given that your digital sources play ok - then you know the problem is with your phono preamplifier.
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