2. analog
  3. 1266267328

help me remove noise from my vinyl setup

hi all,

i have a low-output vinyl setup, and the noise hovers around -60 dB. i would like it to be lower. can you let me know where the problem might lie and suggest solutions?

i have a Technics SL-1200 (M3D) that i got from KAB, with most of the upgrades... fluid damped tonearm, Cardas tonearm wires, strobe light disabled, and the external power supply/conditioner. i have the low-output Grado Sonata1 (statement series) and Cardas headshell wires. i have Grado's prestige interconnect cables between the turntable and a Grado PH-1 phono stage. finally, i have a Blue Jeans MSA-1 cable between the PH-1 and an ASUS Xonar DX sound card in my computer.

here's a recording of the noise:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/1y89l5

there is also a slight popping/crackling noise, can you hear it?

i borrowed a Furman PL-8 Series II power conditioner from a friend, and tried plugging the PH-1 into that. i also tried plugging the turntable power supply into it. ...it didn't help any.

many thanks.
scar
islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
The only way I have been able to reduce surface noise, other than playing clean records, is to make sure all set up parameters are as good as can be. The more perfect the set up, the lower the surface noise floor. It requires the right tools, and lots of time and patience (and practice), to optimize all these parameters. If you don't do your own set up, you have no way of knowing if it's really right or not. Many here (including me) have found the Mint LP Arc Protractor to give very accurate overhang and tracking angle set up. There are other products favored by those on this forum, perhaps others can recommend some of their favorites.

Best of luck, regards,
Dan
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Not sure I understand. Why are you sending the phono stage output to your sound card and what happens after that? Where is your pre-amp, amp and speakers in this array? If you are playing back thru your computer there are lots of ways noise can be introduced.

Also you should note that the PH-1 output labeling may be counter-intuitive:
However, the instructions must be read carefully, as “H” means that the preamp output is high (56 dB for 0.4 to 1.5 mV LOW output cartridges) – and “L” means a lower preamp output of 40 dB boost for 1.5 to 4.5 mV HIGH output cartridges).
IOW, you use the high setting w a low output cart.
scar OP
10 posts
 
hi again. sorry i wasn't clear. the recording i provided a link to *isn't* surface noise. the turntable is turned off, and the arm is at rest. rather, it is is electrical noise. i just mentioned the sound card because that is what i used to make the recording. it perhaps wasn't even worth mentioning.

the amp in my setup is a headphone amp, and the speakers are headphones. (Grado all the way ;) RA1 (battery version) + RS1i)

if i bypass the sound card/computer, the noise is still there.. i just used the computer to record the noise for you all to hear.

since the computer is recording the noise, and i can hear it even without the computer in the chain, i believe the noise is introduced *beforehand*. i.e. in the turntable or the pre-amp or the cables.

the PH-1 is set to the correct, "H"igh-gain setting.

thanks all for your help.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,077 posts
 
It sounds like the noise is coming from the preamp itself.

so you can:

Get a higher output cartridge
or
Get a step-up transformer to go between the cartridge and the preamp
or
get another preamp.
scar OP
10 posts
 
thanks. i've talked this through with grado, and i've even had the pre-amp examined and refurbished by them, so it is operating correctly.

a higher output cartridge (like a reference sonata) would not be as detailed as the current statement sonata, and would not extract low level information as well, so i am not too willing to go back to a high-output...

i also asked grado about using a step-up transformer, this was their response:

"defeats the purpose of the low output Grado, The low output grado uses less wire in its coils to get the signal out faster and cleaner, why put more wire back into the path of the signal."

i am willing to try a step-up transformer, however, if someone can recommend a good one that will be as transparent as possible.

also willing to consider a different pre-amp if someone thinks that would be a better course, and has recommendations.

thanks
More to discover