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What's causing distortion at musical climax?

Problem description:
When playing vinyl, I can hear distortion on otherwise "clean-sounding" records when the music reaches its loudest point. This happens most often with orchestral music when the full orchestra comes in loud.

I'm hoping some of you vinyl gurus can help pinpoint the offending component in my modest system.
I have a Technics SL-3200 turntable with a Ortofon OM-5 cartridge. The phono preamp is a cheapy from Radio Shack.

What component is most likely causing the distortion?
1) The record itself
2) The cartridge
3) The turntable
4) The preamp

Thanks for your help!
Mika
mwaller

Showing 1 response by kurt_tank

kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Another thought is that your amp has reached its limit (power wise), and is sending audible distortion to the speakers (i.e. clipping).

A friend of mine did this (by accident of course), when we were auditioning amplifiers for his Avalon Eidolons. He likes to listen to his classical music at realistic sound levels (in the front row of course!), and while comparing the Manley Neoclassic 250 to the VTl MB-450, he actually managed to get the Manley to clip. (Yeah, Yeah, I know, we were listening way too loud).

Just a thought.

Good Luck in finding the cause (and more importantly, the cure!) to your problem.
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