Turntable Distortion


Recently decided to get into vinyl a bit and found a free B&O Beogram RX-2 w/ MMC4. I bought a Cambridge Audio 640P and connected to my Creek Destiny (the Creek does not have a pre-installed phono board).

All records sound overdriven even at low volumes. Is this likely a problem with the TT (cartridge/tonearm setup, turntable itself) or the preamp?

Thanks.
al3700
Dear Al3700: Check that the gain in the 640 is switched to the low gain ( 33db. ) and that in the Destiny there is not switched to additional gain in the line stage ( 3db to 9db. ).

It seems to me that there is an overloading trouble, somewhere too much gain or a defective 640.

Now, why don't are you using the Destiny own phono board option? why an external one with additional IC cables that degrade the cartridge signal? is it not good enough?

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
Thanks, Raul. How do I adjust the gain in the 640P?

I thought the Destiny adjustable gain applied only to the active preamp, so this shouldn't cause any change if running in passive mode?

Tried 640P instead of the Destiny phono board as I was hoping for pretty good results for almost $350 less. Would I be hearing a significant improvement jumping from the 640P to the Destiny pre?
Dear Al3700: About the gain and internal phono board you must contact Cambridge and Creek directly by email, they will give you the precise answers.

I don't hear/heard either so I can't speak of each one phono stage quality performance but with the Destiny you have at least two advantages: no additional IC cables/connectors and synergy between phono stage and line stage that always is desired.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
We repaired B&O and I often saw the old cartridges suffer from internal dry rot on the rubber that supports the stylus. The MMC 4 was the lower end cart the MMC 1 the highest.

Has anyone looked at the stylus under a microscope? It could be damaged. Also do you have a good way to clean the stylus?

Soundsmith rebuilds and sells B&O carts.

http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/indexBeo.html

ET