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I have only come here seeking knowledge...

Hi. Just joined Audiogon. In my first search here I didn’t find anything close to what I was looking for.

Background:

I gave up on vinyl when I bought my first CD player back in 1985. In early 2017, I got the vinyl bug again and bought an Audio Technica AT-LP5 based on my research, (the price didn’t hurt either). Overall, I’ve been satisfied with it, however, in the last 7-10 days, I’m hearing a pretty loud hum between tracks. When the new track starts, It either disappears or is masked by the music. Sound is as good as before this hum started.

My Rig:

Tuner- NAD C 427 (2016)

CD Player- Denon DCD-600NE (2019)

Turntable- Audio Technica AT-LP5 with VM520EB/H cartridge (2017)

Phono Stage- Alpha Design Labs GT40a (2017)

Homebuilt Windows PC with Creative Labs Sound Card, and  Exact Audio Copy,

Audacity software. (2014)

Integrated amp- Cambridge Audio CXA60 (2016?)

Speakers- Wharfedale Diamond 240 (2016?) and Wharfedale Diamond 225 on the way for Winter in South Texas. Tried Monitor Audio Bronze 2s (arrived damaged,) and Q Acoustics Concept 20s (one speaker was defective.)

Insight Quest:

Being both retied, the wife raises her eyebrows whenever I bring up the subject of electronics. The newest piece I have is the CD player.

I’m putting money away for a new turntable. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I got it down to two. I’m thinking of either the Pro-Ject X1, or the Audio Technica AT-lp7. I’d really appreciate any help and/or ideas. Thanks!


badapple
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
The only thing that’s changed, I moved my audio equipment to the basement a couple of months ago 

Everything plugged into one outlet?
badapple OP
20 posts
 
Thanks. I just tried that so it wouldn’t be on my mind. I was lucky that the general contractor, (must’ve been an electronics junkie like me😎), suggested separate breakers for areas where I pictured electronics placed. He also installed a breaker box with eight extra breaker slots for when I finished the basement. Don’t laugh, but I’m using a tv antena installed in the attic in 1994 for the tv in our bedroom (1080p/Fire stick) and the tuner in the basement. About thirty miles across the lake from Chicago and great reception!
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Ground hum problems usually come down to trial and error, methodically checking every connection in the signal path, and then also everything connected to the system even not in the signal path. Notice I said everything connected to the system. Since the system is plugged into the wall this unfortunately means pretty much everything plugged in. Noises like this have been tracked down to light switches and phone chargers for example. Hopefully you get lucky but if not oh well at least it doesn't seem to interfere when musics playing.
badapple OP
20 posts
 
No. The only things plugged into a power strip are the tv, bp, pc and the tuner. That outlet is on a different breaker. One thing is certain, I have more faith in the wiring than the ttl. As long as it doesn’t interfere with the music, it’ll be good. I’m going to take it and the preamp upstairs and digitize a couple of records, see if it does it upstairs. 
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Ok OP MC asked if everything was plugged into one outlet? Is it?
I see the TV and a few other things are on the same circuit.

Plug nothing into the stereo outlet being used BUT the stereo. No TV, no cable box, nothing.  Plug in the source (TT ?) via IC to the integrated, and only the two PC to a single outlet, leave out the powerstrip.  NOTHING else. Turn on the overhead light, do your work for the test, if it's still there turn off the overhead light too...

After that, a new ground wire (added between amp and TT) a test lead with clips will work great.  If you get rid of the noise, but add it by adding say a CD player, hook the ground clip to the new component, or add a cheater to remove it.. Keep adding until your done with ALL the hums and  Buzzes. It may take more than one external ground, check them all, one at a time is best. Add one at a time, is quick..and just need to make up a perm, ground between pieces, if there is an issue.

Happy hunting.

As for the eyebrow raising, I got nothing.  :-)

Regards
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