2. analog
  3. 1104841130

Please Help My TT is acting like a tuner

I have a Rega p9 turntable, Shelter 501 cart, Bat pk5 phono stage, Viva 300b amplifier and Galante Symphony loudspeakers. I never had any problems with my system until I moved.

Ever since I moved into my new home, I have been picking up radio stations through my TT. The oldies station comes through loud and clear every time I try to play a record!! I have tried everything: powerwraps, ferrite clamps, grounding, lifting the ground, aluminum foil, etc. The oldies station does not stop playing!!!

I am pretty sure it is the TT because the station does not play when the TT is not connected but the BAT phono is loud by itself and is making a crackling whurring sound.

Anyway I am beyond frustrated and am ready to sell my analog gear and just use digital. I have moved my system into every room in my house to no avail, I still hear the oldies station

Please help if you know what I can do. The Rega tonearm cable is hardwired. Is this my problem? Should I get a TT that has the ability to change out cables so that I can use a really powerfully shielded cable? Do the tubes need replaced in the BAT? Or will nothing work and should I either deal with the oldies station or focus on digital?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

rich62
rich62 OP
30 posts
 
House was built in 1930. It is stone and has plaster walls so it is impossible to rout a dedicated circuit on the second floor. The wiring is all BX shielded cable.

I am done with experimentation and tweeking. I just want to listen to music, not screw around with grounds and wires. Digital may not sound as good as a TT but, it is user friendly and a cd player will not receive the local oldies station.
s23chang
617 posts
 
I have the same issue in my house too.
It is a ground loop issue.
I put a piece of copper tape from the metal chasis of the preamp to the shell of the output RCA jack (ground ) and did the trick.
Adding a small .47 cap from output RCA jack ground to the chasis also did the same trick.
Hope this helps

TT might not be the source of the bad ground.
rich62 OP
30 posts
 
S23chang:

I will try what you have stated (I am not optimistic though). My dealer told me that a Van Der Hul high output cartridge would lessen the noise and sound better then my shelter cartridge. I am considering this. I have so much $$ invested in Vinyl that I am trying so hard to make this system work. I guess I will give it one more try this weekend.
s23chang
617 posts
 
Rich62,
Good choice on the Cartridge. I love my VDH black beauty.
rich62 OP
30 posts
 
I was able to get the noise down considerably, but it is still present, thanks for your contributions.

But I believe that the noise can be further reduced by acouple changes. I just purchased a Klyne System 6 phono stage. If the RF and noise still is present, I will get a Van Hur Hul high output cart.

I purchased the Klyne because it is extremely quiet and is better shielded then the BAT. I love the BAT though, great piece, really musical.

By the way, I was able to lower the noise floor by several experiments with location of the tt in my room as well as careful placement of the ferrite and magnet clamps on the phono cable. It is really weird that moving my TT just a couple of inches away from the corner of the room made all the difference.

-Rich
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