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Rega TT-PSU drops right channel

Hi everyone. Recently my RP6 starting dropping the right channel as soon as the needle hit the record. My routine is (with the TT-PSU powered off):

- place the record on the platter after a nitty gritty clean
- power up the TT-PSU while giving the platter a nudge
- clean record with anti-static carbon brush
- needle drop

First I thought a tonearm wire was loose on the cartridge or something along that line. But, if I switch the TT-PSU to 45 and then back to 33 my right channel works just fine. I know Regas ground to the right channel. Could something be wrong with the cable between the TT-PSU and the table? TT-PSU malfunctioning (I think it is still under warranty).

Thoughts / recommendations? TIA
sbrownnw

Showing 5 responses by mofimadness

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,933 posts
 
Scott...IMHO it's not the power supply. The motor/power supply is in no way electronically connected to the tonearm.

If you are switching the PSU from 33 to 45 and back again with the record playing, it is probably the little extra vibration and/or the increase/decrease in speed that accompanies this switch that is acting upon the cantilever/tonearm and bringing the right channel back.

Really the only way to troubleshoot this is to maybe take your table to a dealer and swap out the table/psu one at a time to see what the deal is.

I personally think it has to be either the cartridge or tonearm wiring that is a fault.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,933 posts
 
Scott...weird dude! Try doing the same scenario you mention
above but don't "switch TTPSU to 45, then to 33", just
raise and then lower the arm and see if this works.

By raising and lowering the arm you are flexing the wire
inside the arm tube and this might be what is causing the
problem.

I know the RP6 uses that new metal support beam that runs
from the arm base to the spindle. Maybe this is somehow
" electronically coupling" the arm to the
motor/psu?

I'm just grasping at straws here, but I really don't
understand how an isolated tonearm can be interfered with by
a separate power supply unit?
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,933 posts
 
Scott, the ground wire for the tonearm is soldered to the inside wall of the arm tube, (well, on the old style RB250/300 series it was anyway).

Why don't you try to call Rick at Audio Alternatives in Fort Collins, Colorado. He is not only a master Linn turntable guru, but has sold Rega longer than probably anyone in the states. Maybe he has encountered this and will know how to fix it.

Please let us know what you find out.

http://www.audioalternative.com/
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,933 posts
 
Scott, glad you got it fixed! I still don't understand how a power supply can affect the ground on an isolated tonearm?

I've seen many things in all the years I was in the high-end audio business, so really nothing should shock me. I'll add this to my collection.

Thanks for reporting back on the cure...
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,933 posts
 
Scott...thanks for the update. I was pretty sure it didn't have anything to do with the power supply.

If you have to dress the cable just right in the retainer clip to keep it from humming, then there has to be a break somewhere in the cable. Either in the cable jacket or at the point where the cable enters the tonearm itself.

It seems you have it solved for now, but it really should be fixed permanently. I would take the arm off and send it back to The Sound Organization, (the Rega importer here in the states) and have them fix it or replace it. Is it still under warranty?

This will probably just continue to get worse until you fix it for good.
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