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help me remove noise from my vinyl setup

hi all,

i have a low-output vinyl setup, and the noise hovers around -60 dB. i would like it to be lower. can you let me know where the problem might lie and suggest solutions?

i have a Technics SL-1200 (M3D) that i got from KAB, with most of the upgrades... fluid damped tonearm, Cardas tonearm wires, strobe light disabled, and the external power supply/conditioner. i have the low-output Grado Sonata1 (statement series) and Cardas headshell wires. i have Grado's prestige interconnect cables between the turntable and a Grado PH-1 phono stage. finally, i have a Blue Jeans MSA-1 cable between the PH-1 and an ASUS Xonar DX sound card in my computer.

here's a recording of the noise:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/1y89l5

there is also a slight popping/crackling noise, can you hear it?

i borrowed a Furman PL-8 Series II power conditioner from a friend, and tried plugging the PH-1 into that. i also tried plugging the turntable power supply into it. ...it didn't help any.

many thanks.
scar

Showing 9 responses by scar

scar OP
10 posts
 
hi again. sorry i wasn't clear. the recording i provided a link to *isn't* surface noise. the turntable is turned off, and the arm is at rest. rather, it is is electrical noise. i just mentioned the sound card because that is what i used to make the recording. it perhaps wasn't even worth mentioning.

the amp in my setup is a headphone amp, and the speakers are headphones. (Grado all the way ;) RA1 (battery version) + RS1i)

if i bypass the sound card/computer, the noise is still there.. i just used the computer to record the noise for you all to hear.

since the computer is recording the noise, and i can hear it even without the computer in the chain, i believe the noise is introduced *beforehand*. i.e. in the turntable or the pre-amp or the cables.

the PH-1 is set to the correct, "H"igh-gain setting.

thanks all for your help.
scar OP
10 posts
 
thanks. i've talked this through with grado, and i've even had the pre-amp examined and refurbished by them, so it is operating correctly.

a higher output cartridge (like a reference sonata) would not be as detailed as the current statement sonata, and would not extract low level information as well, so i am not too willing to go back to a high-output...

i also asked grado about using a step-up transformer, this was their response:

"defeats the purpose of the low output Grado, The low output grado uses less wire in its coils to get the signal out faster and cleaner, why put more wire back into the path of the signal."

i am willing to try a step-up transformer, however, if someone can recommend a good one that will be as transparent as possible.

also willing to consider a different pre-amp if someone thinks that would be a better course, and has recommendations.

thanks
scar OP
10 posts
 
thanks.

can anyone recommend a SUT for my setup? i honestly don't have any experience with them. i'm sure i can pick up a few things by reading various threads around here, but i always appreciate some first-hand recommendation based on my current equipment. i'll need a pair of cables too, probably not longer than 3 feet.

the output of the sonata is 0.5 mV and the Low-gain setting of the PH-1 is 40 dB, suitable for a 1.5-5 mV input (according to the specs).
scar OP
10 posts
 
i am looking through some SUT's around here. i need some clarification on specifications. like load impedance or something.

my cartridge says it has "Imput Load 47K" and "Resistance 2".

i see some SUT's have selection switches, also. "bypass"? "passive"? what are those?

what am i looking for in a SUT that will work in my system?

thanks.
scar OP
10 posts
 
i have heard from someone else that "The Sonata has an output of 47k ohms and any SUT will also add reflected impedance. The Sonata can only be used with a Head Amp. No SUT will work with it."

what should i buy?
scar OP
10 posts
 
yeah the impedance is 2 ohms right? thanks for the link i'll check them out.
scar OP
10 posts
 
i heard back from Grado that the cartridge "has .4 mv output and an output impedance of 47K."

from the very limited knowledge i've so far picked up, it seems that a SUT wouldn't work with that impedance....
scar OP
10 posts
 
thanks for your insight. trying another low-output cartridge is not really an option i have, unless i buy one. i have some high-output Grado's and there is less noise.

so you think it is the cartridge and not the phono pre-amp? both are grados ;) i'm pretty sure the pre-amp is definitely picking up some interference. if you listen carefully in my sample above you can hear some crackling noise, which i did not hear when i put the pre-amp into someone else's setup...

it could be a combination of both :\
scar OP
10 posts
 
thanks, all. i just cannot get the noise down to a satisfiable level. i looked into SUT but i have heard from some experts that they require cartridges with low impedance, and the 47K of the grado is way too high. so it would mean buying a new low-output cartridge. i browsed needledoctor and didn't see anything i liked within my price range, which is kind of low for a low-output cartridge considering i am going to spend at least a few hundred on a SUT. i need a high compliance cartridge also, to match my tonearm, and didn't see many of those.

for now, i am going to try a high-output sonata. it may not have the same detail as the low-output, but i will hear when i get it.
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