2. analog
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phono preamp crackling

i recently added analog to my system and i'm having a problem. my phono preamp will often emit crackling noises. this occurs even when i take the stylus off the record--the crackling will continue.

i've tried locating the preamp in different locations--above the turntable (very bad), below the turntable (better but not good) and as far from my integrated amp as i can, which isn't too far, about 1.5 feet above the amp. the impedence and gain settings on the preamp are at the recommended level for my MM cartridge.

if location of the phono preamp is the problem then i'm in trouble, as i don't have many options for where to put it.

the phono preamp is connected to my integrated amp using balanced cables. the system is: marantz 15s1 tt, ps audio gcph phono preamp and cambridge audio 840v2 integrated.

any suggestions on what to do or what the problem might be?

thanks!
tanglewood

Showing 2 responses by photon46

photon46
1,089 posts
 
The GCPH preamp he has is solid state. Tubes aren' t the culprit here. I'm not sure you're telling us enough to be sure of the problem. Are you saying that if you move the phono stage different distances from the turntable, that change in distance results in a repeatable, consistent variance in the level and/or frequency of occurrence of the crackling noise? Just trying to determine if the distance/placement is really the problem here. Also, what are you using for phono interconnects? I've had really annoying noise problems from unshielded phono cables. Does moving the phono interconnect result in any noises?
photon46
1,089 posts
 
Assuming you're using the stock Clearaudio cartridge the Marantz ships with, you're working with a 3.6 mv cartridge signal. That's pretty middle of the pack, nothing unusual there. Not sure exactly what the GCPH's lowest gain setting is, but I'd make sure you're using it. (That gain block is adjusted with the left blue knob on the back of the chassis.) I wouldn't think a 3.6 mv signal should overload any competently designed MM phono stage. Also make sure the output gain of the GCPH isn't set too high also. Don't want to overload the input on your Cambridge either.
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