Feedback. Isolate the turntable. Move the sub farther away from the table.
Tube Phonostage Causing Rumble and Noises
Hello, I am desperate in need for advices and help.
I have a Aesthetix I/O Eclipse (one power supply) that I acquired new in 2009. It started to make the SVS SB16 Ultra subwoofer rumble a few months ago. I sent it back to Aesthetix, they performed a bunch of upgrades and replaced 4 tubes in gain stage one claiming these would help with the noises.
When I got it back three months later, the rumble got a bit better but it was still there. Then Aesthetix sent me a new set of tubes claiming there were specially selected and tested for low noise. However, they didn’t eliminate the rumble.
Then I played a record to during the test, the unthinkable happened. When the phonostage is idle, there was just rumble. As soon as a signal was passed from the phono, the sub went crazy, it produced some subsonic noise that made the room shake. I then connected the phono to a tube integrated amp and I heard a loud distorted noise through my LS 3/5A.
The strange thing is that I have no issues using the I/O with my Apogee Fullrange without the sub.
I would appreciate any shape or form of advice/help.
Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!
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- 41 posts total
If you want to try a rumble filter, I can send you one to try out. I believe it is an RF-5 I purchased from KAB. I used it for years until I bought a Technics SL 1200G. My previous VPI Prime and Scout needed the filter. I can send it to you and if it works, we can talk price. If it doesn’t, you can send it back. If interested, send me a PM. Bob |
@bpoletti is correct. Your turntable is sitting in a “hot spot”, a zone where bass frequencies are being amplified. If it’s near a corner, try moving it. |
@agharion "I get the rumble when the turntable is not in use." You've got me confused. Until now I thought the thread was completely about rumble while playing LPs. Here's a line from your original post: "As soon as a signal was passed from the phono, the sub went crazy, it produced some subsonic noise that made the room shake. I then connected the phono to a tube integrated amp and I heard a loud distorted noise through my LS 3/5A." So, I'm not sure where you go from here. You've got a ton of suggestions so guess you just keep experimenting. Have you brought in a different phono preamp to find if the issue is still present?
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If moving the turntable and/or subwoofer does not work, your cheapest option, as others have pointed out is to install the KAB RF1 subsonic filter. However, this will require that you insert the filter in between the phonostage and the amplifier and will require an extra set of RCA cables. If you are using XLR connection from your phonostage to amplifier, then it becomes a little bit more cumbersome and will require xlr to rca converters (male and female). The RF1 filter can also be connected directly to the tape-loop if your preamp/phonostage has this option. Other options include getting an isolation platform like HRS, SRA or Minus K depending on your budget. And if all else fails, then get a phonostage with a built in subsonic filter. As an fyi, I had subsonic issues from my very first turntable, likely due to my suspended wood floors. In the initial stages, I did have to replace the driver on my REL subwoofer. Subsonic rumble can lead to equipment failure over time if not mitigated properly. |
- 41 posts total