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No right channel in new cartridge

I just got a Sumiko Blackbird & mounted it.  I have no right channel. I haven’t fine tuned the mounting but, That shouldn’t make me lose a whole channel.  Once or twice I’ve heard a hum in the right channel before I put the needle down. When it goes down it stops & goes silent.  The channel isn’t effected in CD, DVD or radio.

i bought it here(all positives on the seller) & it only had 10 hours on it. It didn’t come in the original box but came screwed into a box... seemed pretty secure.  I checked & reconnected all the pins, jacks into the AVR & ground wire.

What should I try next?
tochsii
62 responses Add your response
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
+1 NEVER buy a used cartridge. Totally agree with you ebm.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Buying a used cartridge is a big mistake 10 hours could be 1000hours.Try getting your money back good luck with that one though.Your in a world of hurt NEVER buy a used cartridge. You got ripped off big time.Good luck though!!
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,531 posts
 
Only 10 hours and the seller didn’t have the original box? Sounds like BS to me!
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rauliruegas
12,893 posts
 
Dear @tochsii: Other that what lewm posted: do you still have the cartridge you were using before this Sumiko?, if yes then mount it again and test if everything is fine .

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
tochsii OP
78 posts
 
Lewn, do I switch straight across? 
White with Red
Blue with Green

Even if the cartridge is returned, this is an education.  

But, I would rather be playing my music.
lewm
12,610 posts
 
 Now switch the connections at the rear of the cartridge itself. If the problem moves from one channel to the other when you do that, you will know that it is the cartridge that is defective. At that point, I would consider returning the cartridge to the seller for a full refund. Why should you have to fix or deal with this issue? 
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cleeds
5,749 posts
 
tochsii
... the dead channel follows when I reverse the leads. That would mean it’s the cartridge?
It's either the cartridge, or the wiring between the cartridge and your phono section. That could mean the wiring in your pickup arm or the cable going from the arm to the phono section.
tochsii OP
78 posts
 
cleeds, the dead channel follows when I reverse the leads. That would mean it’s the cartridge?
tochsii OP
78 posts
 
Lewn, it was DOA. No just meant the person who sold it to me said he had 10hrs on it.

Tro, the head shell is part of the arm. it’s a Rega 200.
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cleeds
5,749 posts
 
Try reversing the leads from your turntable to your phono section. Does the dead channel follow the reversal? If not, you can be sure the problem is not the cartridge.
i bought it here(all positives on the seller) & it only had 10 hours on it.
Buying a used phono cartridge is always an iffy proposition.
lewm
12,610 posts
 
You imply, but don't say explicitly, that the cartridge functioned in both channels at some point after you purchased and installed it into this very same system.  Is that the case?  Or was it "dead on arrival" in the R channel?
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
You’ll have to get it under a microscope, stereo biological, or maybe 5.0+ reading glasses or whatnot. Super close ups, fine focus with a close up capable (macro) cell phone, maybe.

You are going to have to check the ultra fine wires that are exposed on the body. they are open to having problems from human handling.

While it is possible to check them with a resistance meter, it is strongly advised to not do this.


Checking the wires is only part of the litany of things to check. more information is required, do you use detachable head shell turntable arms, for example.
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