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Soundstage gone

Hi guys,
I was really happy with the sound I had from my system until I decided to upgrade my turntable to MC stage. What I had: Linn LP12 with Lingo 3, Akito tonearm and Adikt MM cartridge. The amp is MA2275, speakers B&W 802. Recently I upgraded TT with Radical power supply, Urika MC internal phono stage, Ekos tonearm and Kandid cartridge. My amp has only MM phono stage, so tried to plug the cords from the table into other available inputs: CD2, tuner or DVD. The sound was amazing but the soundstage almost gone. I was shocked. There is no more splitting sounds between speakers and all the records plays as mono. Is there a way to fix that? Forgot to mention: I have a dedicated power line and my cables AQ Hurricane, AQ Oak.

lviv
aubreybobb
87 posts
 
Only way stereo comes out as mono is if there is a short circuit between the two channels.  Suggest carefully check the cabling from cartridge to mc stage. Include the wiring within the arm.  This is easy with a meter.   If ok try bypassing phono stage...volume will be very low but may reveal whether short is in the phono stage.

Take it other sources play stereo normally? 

You correctly chose alternate line inputs as otherwise there would be 2 riaa equalisations in series. 

Good luck. Let us know how you solved the problem.


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clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 
Yeah.  The mono issue is definitely incorrect connections at the cartridge or two wires/connectors touching.

If you are in full-time mono that will explain the loss of soundstage!!!
If it persists after you get stereo back, it is likely then down do inaccurate cartridge alignment in the arm.

Yeah why not just take it back to the dealer to correct.  When done, go in for a test listen in his shop.
testpilot
967 posts
 
When you use another source does the soundstage reappear?  Do you have access to a pair of headphones?
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Iviv, did you check the cartridge connections? I have also seen tonearm leads miss identified with the wrong colors on the female plugs. So, if it looks like the right color plugs are on the right pins you might want to check continuity with a meter.
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