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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
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.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
It sounds like the noise is coming from the preamp itself.

so you can:

Get a higher output cartridge
or
Get a step-up transformer to go between the cartridge and the preamp
or
get another preamp.
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
drewmb1's avatar
drewmb1
57 posts
 
"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."

Hello Scar,
In my opinion the quote from Grado merely strengthens my opinion of "why would I want to buy a Grado?" I have a Denon DL-103R going through a moving coil phono stage and it didn't put out enough signal to play loud without overdriving my power amp. I brought the amp in for repair because I thought something was wrong with it since the thermal protection kept shuting down. Nothing wrong with the amp. I placed a SUT in front of a good mm phono stage and WOW!! What improved sound. Rather breathtaking actualy. PUNCH, VITALITY, High AND Low level definition. I had to try it since even the late G. Gordon Holt used SUTs at times. I've read MANY a reviewer comment on using them.

Sincerely,
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).
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