The real culprit behind phono stage noise is the fact there has to be a huge amount of gain. Unlike line stage components (CDP, tuner, DAC) all of which have outputs in the range of single digit volts (why they are all called line stage in the first place) the phono stage sees cartridge output in millivolts. It is because the phono stage has to have enough gain to bring millivolts up to volts that even the tiniest bit of noise into the phono stage can result in the most horrible loud noises coming out the other end. Not just hum but pops, cracks, shrieks, even radio station broadcasts, sometimes so bad you can hear the noise change as you walk around the room and reach for the connection, volume, etc.
I'm explaining all this because if your story is true and complete then its a travesty the store didn't explain any of this. Because they for sure ought to know. Everyone with a turntable ought to know. When you hear noises like this it is NOT the phono stage. Or at least hardly ever is. Its the signal coming into the phono stage.
What you should have taken in is your phono stage and turntable. That's what they should have told you to do. Specifically, the most likely culprit is the connection from the table to the stage. Clean the you know what out of both ends. While tracking it down do as Keith Herron suggested to me and stick with plain old alcohol and clean cotton cloth.
Seriously, I know things are bad but still can hardly believe it. You took your stage and pre and they didn't say what we need is the table? Incredible.
I'm explaining all this because if your story is true and complete then its a travesty the store didn't explain any of this. Because they for sure ought to know. Everyone with a turntable ought to know. When you hear noises like this it is NOT the phono stage. Or at least hardly ever is. Its the signal coming into the phono stage.
What you should have taken in is your phono stage and turntable. That's what they should have told you to do. Specifically, the most likely culprit is the connection from the table to the stage. Clean the you know what out of both ends. While tracking it down do as Keith Herron suggested to me and stick with plain old alcohol and clean cotton cloth.
Seriously, I know things are bad but still can hardly believe it. You took your stage and pre and they didn't say what we need is the table? Incredible.