Sounds like static buildup. Double check the tables chassis ground.
New Cartridge Causing Intermittent Popping
Vinyl Experts, I need help in diagnosing a problem.
Before this last weekend, I had three (3) cartridges in my stable: Kiseki Purpleheart, Dynavector 20x2; Benz Micro LPS. None of these carts made any significant popping noise. I gave an AudioTechnica ART9 to a good friend last year. That had no such popping noise issue either.
This weekend I installed a brand new Goldring Ethos MC cartridge. It sounds glorious out of the box and is opening up a bit. Very seductive sounding pickup.
But the Ethos is exhibiting intermittent yet consistent popping when playing all sorts of clean, excellent shape vinyl. The popping is as loud as the source material and disruptive. It comes with no notice, stops and starts up with a single pop every so and so. [I haven't timed it]. I can, however, sometimes get through a side with one or no pops. For the most part it is still there.
I setup the cartridge with my Feickert protractor. Pretty easy setup compared to my other carts.
Some aftermarket Jelco headshell leads were a touch a loose where they affix to the arm. I tried crimping them down but to less than perfect status. I've ordered new ones to see if that is the problem.
I've never had any noise issues with my Manley Chinook phono preamp. The lion's share of my collection sounds just great with it until this issue arose. Most of my records that are in excellent shape do not exhibit snap, crackles, or pops unless you crank the volume during a very quiet passage--and even then they are not easily audible.
Goldring says the following:
Load resistance
100 Ω
Load capacitance
100 - 1000 pF
Playing weight
1.5 - 2.0 g (1.75 g)
This cartridge sounds wonderful--especially for the price tag. I really want to fix this small but annoying issue.
Advice?
Setup:
Source - Technics SL1200 GAE
Phono Preamp- Manley Chinook
Integrated Amp - Marantz PM KI Ruby
Thank you folks! Solving this is a priority for me. Your help is greatly appreciated.
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- 32 posts total
@cleeds , I'm using the 60dB gain setting. @duckmanst3, I will check that now. |
You know, I've never had an issue with static buildup that I know of, but this early summer we are already in a drought. Humidity today in Chicagoland is 27%! Static could be an issue. I've set my capacitance at 150pf and resistance at 350R. I also just rechecked the Feickert setup with HiFi News & Record Reviews protractor --linear offset technique, which I think is similar to Feickert's Baerwald settings. Things were very close but I did tweak alignment just a smidge (<1 mm). I just made it through a side with no popping. I'll report back. |
I've now tried the following:
I'm now going to take out my National 6DJ8 Japanese made Mullard tubes and put in Electro Harmonix 6922s--Manley spec--to see if that could help. |
- 32 posts total