2. analog
  3. 128389-5031

Noise, rumble and general intereference

Hoping a few of you might be able to shed some light on a persistent problem i seem to have with my set up and suggest a path forward?
1. Gear: Speakers (Gallo strado with REL sub), Pre, Dac and Amp (All Bel Canto eOnes), Phono (Cambridge CP2), Turntable (Project RPM 3 with Blue Point 2 cart)

The pre, amp and speakers sections have performed flawlessly for many years. Up until a few months ago i had a digital only system streaming music from a server or spotify. I recently added the analog front end. I had a great analog rig 10 years ago (linn lp 12 and EAR) but moth balled that system due to life style changes.

The issue I'm having is a) low level rumble which i can reduce by employing a low level freq. switch that the CP2 has - although this does reduce the overall space / air in the sound).
However far more vexing is the problem of intermittent channel drop off, and by that i mean when i play vinyl occasionally one of the channels goes dead.
Initially i thought this was the turntable so i had Pro-ject service it (i had purchased the deck used on agon) but Pro-ject ran tests and found the table and cartridge in perfect condition.
I also know its not the phono as i similarly returned the phono and had the manu. send a new one... still same problem.
What does seem to correct the problem for a few days is if i switch the RCA cables (literally unplug right channel and plug it into the left or vis-a-versa) but then the problem comes back. I think it is some sort of interference.- the phono section sits on top of the DAC (could this be it) The cables from the deck to the phono are shielded and grounded and so are the RCA's from the phono to the pre.

Any insight would be great?

Thanks
Neil
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sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
There's no way interference of any kind would kill one channel. Process of elimination is your best route. Do you have a local audio buddy who can let you try their cables, phono, phono stage etc. so you can narrow it down by swapping one at a time? 

You shouldn't need to buy any filter to eliminate rumble, if isolation doesn't help, and the table is that bad isn't there a bigger lesson to learn about the table? 
Even buying a vintage $20 craigslist table will be cheaper way to evaluate your issue. You could probably resell at same cost if you wanted to. Cheers,
Spencer
lewm
12,445 posts
 
Have a tech take a look at the phono inputs. Perhaps you have an intermittent short inside the chassis due to a cold or broken solder joint. Likewise, I would check the connection between the ICs and the tonearm.  What connector is used at that junction? Is it a DIN type? Check inside the tonearm, in that case.  Also, check the cables themselves, at both ends.  This is easy. Just unscrew the cosmetic covering over the solder joints and inspect.  Anyway, this sounds like a simple problem but one that can be hard to pin down.

extra_action OP
52 posts
 
Thanks for the thoughtful responses!
I switched out the Phono to Pre RCA's last night and the problem went away. So in all likely hood it's a fault in the cable; although i did check for continuity a few weeks ago with a multi-meter and seemed to check out fine. A lewn pointed out it may be an intermittent fault in this cable. Will keep you posted.

sbank: Yes i have my doubts about the Pro-ject table. In all honesty i bought it as a stop gap with full intentions of moving on within the next year. Possible candidates are VPI, ClearAudio or Kuzma... any thoughts?

sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
What's your budget and preferences in a table? Do you have any direction in mind(e.g. I always like Brand X cartridges, or I definitely want removable headshell so I can easily swap in a mono cartridge)? Cheers,
Spencer
extra_action OP
52 posts
 
Budget is  < $2k including arm but excluding cartridge.
Removable headshell is not something i had really considered. The table should be set and forget.
I had a tricked out LP12 in a past life and the constant setting and resetting drained all the joy out of the experience.
Aesthetically (which is important as the table is front and center in the living room) i prefer clean and simple
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