2. analog
  3. 1198340159

Problem - HF "Chirping" Using Turntable

To make a long story short, my PS Audio 5.5 preamp, Hafler DH-500 power amp and Acoustat 1+1 speakers have been thoroughly checked out, and they appear to not be the source of the problem below.

I installed a new Audio-Technica MM cartridge and since then (but the above components are "new" too) when my phono section is engaged, at high volumes there is breakthrough of a very disconcerting high frequency chirping or oscillation. When I move my TT to my (lower quality) home theater setup, there is no such noise.

So, I figure either my Tt (a KAB Acoustics-modified to play 78 rpm - Technics SLBD-era belt-drive TT) or the AT cartidge is the source of this noise or it happens to exist at the location of my system and the cartidge is amplfying it.

Any thoughts? My line-level channels are fine - silent.
toxrtp

Showing 3 responses by crem1

crem1
672 posts
 
No, not in my opinion ; go green and enjoy the music.
crem1
672 posts
 
The grado is a moving iron rather than a moving magnet(audio technica) designed cartridge. Each design works differently to create a signal. Moving Iron Carts have 47K OP so they work with MM PreAmps; however, they can cause hum in TT's that don't shield the motors, ie Rega / AR .

You might consider a dedicated electrical line isolating the TT from all other elements of your system.
crem1
672 posts
 
Re-install your old cartridge. Should the noise go away, you have learned its source. Should you install the old cartridge that now makes the same noise(es), the issue is in the P/A .

Before reinstalling the cartridge re-check the grounding wires from the TT and T/Arm. Make certian you installed the new cartridge's wires to the TT specs.

HF Chirping appears to me to be a compatability problem with the P/A. The only way to know is to reinstall the old cart.
More to discover