First of all, if you have no hum or noise problem, you may as well do nothing. The only value of grounding is to reduce or eliminate such problems. Second, ground is ground (like every other sweeping generalization, there are exceptions), so all ground wires can be theoretically connected to the same grounding point, in this case the ground lug on your preamplifier. Ideally, they are all at zero voltage. That’s really all you have to know about those ground wires. Others gave you a lot of good detail information specific to SME.
SME 20/2 Tonearm Ground Wire: Where in the table should be connected?
Dear Community,
I just purchased my first turntable, an SME 20/2 with the SME IV VI tonearm. For the cartridge I went with the AMG Teatro cartridge (I couldn't digest the idea of buying a more expensive one, at least not yet). Since I don't know much about this turntable and I couldn't find (neither online and/ or user manuals) information or instructions about where the tonearm ground wire connector should be plugged in the in table end: Please if any one of you remember where the SME 20/2 IV VI tonearm ground wire should be plugged in on the table end? I'm referring to the OEM cable which come with the table: There is a DIN connector and the ground wire one. For the DIN is very straight forward because there is a plug-in for it; but for the ground wire: I couldn't find the right place. Please any instructions, suggestions, pictures and recommendations will be much appreciated.
Best,
T.
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As @lewm meant to say, If it aint broke don't fix it. If you have already connected the tonearm's ground wire, the one at the RCA end then you are done. Connecting the other one may well form a ground loop. The extra wire was meant to ground the turntable and it sounds by your description that it is already grounded. Just wrap the wire up and tie it to the others with a tie wrap. It won't be the last loose wire in your life. |
Hi @boothroyd Above you wrote: |
While I don’t care to discuss in absolute terms for fear of being attacked, unshielded signal leads can often provide a larger playback image that seems more open. Such results are worthless if RF or other noise creeps in - easily remedied when the shields are attached to ground.
I see no benefit from disabling or attempting an asymmetrical shielding scheme. |
- 14 posts total