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Cartridge rings at certain high frequencies

Hi all, I am new to the forum, and this is my first post. First my system, mainly vinyl based and consists of Linn active Amps & Speakers, with a Michell Gyro modified with the Orb platter, plus an SME 309 arm. Phono pre amp is a Graham Slee reflex C, cables are Nordost. Cartridges are various, but exist on all of them, currently an AT33EV MC.
On certain high frequencies I get a ringing sound, a sort of harmonic, but not truly a harmonic sound. It's not on all albums I play, such as all my 180gm, but shows up on a lot of the 120-140 general vinyl. So far I have tried the following. Checked the arm and cart every setting at least fifty times, so much so I can now set the Azimuth blindfolded and asleep. I thought it was my music room, so in went the rugs, carpets, cushion, sound defuses, traps etc. didn't make any difference, it was still there. The TT does have DensoDamp fitted and the SME doesn't ring at all. The only thing that hasn't been changed is the cable......so I have bought a lot of Linn cable to try, but first thought some of you kind people may hopefully tell me of something that I have missed.
I do have a DS player, not that is used a lot as vinyl is my prime listening pleasure, and I occasionally get the slight ringing, but not as prevalent as with my vinyl setup. Thank for reading and thank you for any assistance that you can provide.
Brian in the UK
brianev

Showing 10 responses by brianev

brianev OP
10 posts
 
Hi, thanks for your suggestion, the phono pre amp is fixed at 100 ohm, and not changeable. I have tried other phono pre amps ( Project) and it was exactly the same. So I am still wondering what can cause this?
Regards
Brian
brianev OP
10 posts
 
Hi, thanks for the reply, I did move the pre amp out of the loop and used the DS direct into the power amps, and it was still there, I just wonder if the cable could cause this ringing sound? Not that I know much about cable, except that originally it all sounded great, thank you for the reply
Brian
brianev OP
10 posts
 
Thanks for the reply, I have put a lot of sound damping stuff into the room and even studio acoustic tiles, but never made any difference. But, I will re visit this and try again, thanks for posting
Regards
Brian
brianev OP
10 posts
 
Hi, thank you for your reply, funny you should suggest this as I have just ordered a Torque driver from the US so as to make sure these fixings are at the correct Torque. I have gone over them, and they are not loose, so I await the new Toy to see if it will make any difference, thanks for posting.
Regards
Brian
brianev OP
10 posts
 
Hi, thanks for the reply, no, none of my kit is valve based, but sometimes wished it was. Most of the kit is Linn and is active, the exception is my TT which is Michell Modified Gyro, fitted with an SME 309arm, and currently running a AT33ev MC cartridge, which I like purely for the way it reproduces solo piano parts. They always seem to be more realistic with this cartridge. I did play a Coltrane album (Blue Train) with it and that was just great, really enjoyable LP. I intend to change all my cable over in the next week or so, just to be sure if its this that's causing the sound. I have checked it for direction a few times, but when it was all originally installed it was put in by a Linn Tech, who has now retired to warmer climes.
Thanks again
Regards
Brian
brianev OP
10 posts
 
Sorry people I seem to have got in a muddle with the replies, I do apologise for that. Maybe I should read "HowTo"
Brian
brianev OP
10 posts
 
Hi, thanks for the reply, I intend to take all my kit apart over the weekend, and the put the new cable into the system, that's if my BFA connectors turn up. I will also remove everything that can resonate, and put in some sound damping things. Then listen and see if there is a difference. A question if I may? Is there a method for finding out the direction of a speaker cable? I know lots of cables do have arrows and markings in the sheathing, and listening is another way, but what if the manufacturer has the arrows wrongly placed? Some manufacturers only put direction arrows on the heat shrink, and if these are wrong, can it be checked without taking everything apart? Thank you all for the help its greatly appreciated.
Regards
Brian UK
brianev OP
10 posts
 
Hi, possibly it could be but I doubt it, and I do suffer from it, but it isn't the same. The tinnitus I can switch off in my head, but this sound is totally different I think? I am due a check on my ears sometime this year, so will ask the question, thanks for the post.
Regards
Brian
brianev OP
10 posts
 
Hi, thank for the reply. I originally set my speakers up ( Linn Active) using the Tune Dem method as used by Linn techs, but, that isn't to say it couldn't be improved upon? So, can you please tell me what the Master Set is? Thank you.
Regards
Brian
brianev OP
10 posts
 
Hi, thanks for the reply, all my arrows are pointing the correct way, in all of my cables. But, my Nordost cable, which flat, and about 2 inches wide, and has a large amount of conductors, doesn't have an earth shield of any sort. The cables are just silver soldered into BFA connectors, with the directional arrows on the heat shrink covering on the connectors. So, I am still wondering if this is a problem?
Regards
Brian
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