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Static from Aesthetix phono stage when tt not on

I have a Rockport Serius II and Aesthetix IO Signature which are connected by a modest ground. Each outlet is dedicated and the audio service has a isolated ground to two ground bars.

I got the tt up and running with new audiophile vinyl and the sound was black in background, clear with high impact and dynamics and plenty of detail.

Everything seemed great for the first round. I weighed the stylus pressura and brought it within tolerance. There was NO STATIC in the music or when the music was not playing.

Today after running the Aesthetix for a day and after playing about 10 lp's there was static building up even when the TT was turned off.

I really don't know where to look for this one.

Is it the phono stage? The 25' Jena interconnects laying on the floor? The TT?

It does not appear to be the Tenor's as they have no noise in other channels.

Thoughts on the problem and identification pattern appreciated.

Bill E.
lakefrontroad
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Do you have a spare set of tubes to try? Is it both channels? Or just one?
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
One more thing Bill. Even if the Rockport is turned off, the motor controller stays on all the time ( I think ). Do you have the one built by Rowland? If so, you might use a VOM to measure the output or chassis to ground and be sure there is not a leaking cap in the circuit.

Is the air supply pump for the Rockport on the same circuit with the other gear?
twl
3,251 posts
 
Bill, my first thought would be to use the basic testing methods we would use with any component. First unplug the entire phono rig from your preamp, and see if there is any change. If it goes away, the problem is somewhere before the preamp. If it doesn't, then it is in the preamp or after. Assuming the problem went away, plug in just the IO without the turntable. If problem shows, then check the IO by swap-out. Being a dealer, you must have some other phono section around somewhere. Swap out the IO for another phono section and see if the sound goes away. If it does, then you know it's in the IO. If not, then continue the process back to the turntable, with the swap-out method. Obviously, you can't swap out for a new Rockport, but if everything else checks out, you may have to just plug in some other turntable to see if that does it. With new equipment, once you have isolated the problem down to the offending item, then have it replaced by the manufacturer under warranty.
rcrump
427 posts
 
Likely the Io and if in both channels it is probably a power supply tube unless you are running two supplies as Albert does.....It sure wouldn't hurt to get the ICs up off the floor either.....I used to have four Rockports in my neighborhood including two similar to the System II Sirius and nobody has complained of static problems.....
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
Bill- Do the problems ever end! Makes you wonder if it would be easier and cheaper to maintain the 512tr!!! Though I suppose you couldn't use that when its snowing ;) If you get the bugs out of your rig I am sure you will need to find something else that is systamtically problem prone, its always a challenge to over come! ~Tim
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