BAT--balanced audio technology--no RCA's, period. strictly xlr.
Why does unplugging/replugging TT leads from tube phono pre-amp reset dead channel?
I have a BAT VK P-10SE with Superpak. Tubed phono preamp. When one of the channels drops out (it actually is out when the system powers up), I used to go nuts trying to figure out which tube needed replacing. I have learned, after much frustration, that simply unplugging the lead from the Turntable - and plugging it back in - solves the problem. Sometimes it's the left channel. Sometimes the right. And if I leave the system on with no music playing for a while, on occasion a channel will drop out. I have asked at several stereo shops...no one know why this works. Or what the real underlying cause of the problem is. When it works...it sounds great. No indication of a tube issue. And the cartridge - Shelter 901 - sounds great, too. Any advice is welcome. Thanks.
Joe
Joe
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- 28 posts total
Layniesdad83, thanks, but both the description and the manual of the VK P-10SE, as well as various rear panel photos that can be found online, indicate that it provides RCA as well as XLR inputs. And the manual states the following in bold-face type: When connecting your cartridge to the VK-P10SE RCA inputs, it is necessary to install the supplied shorting plugs into the unused XLR inputs.Regards, -- Al |
Thanks for the suggestions. I have a Linn LP12. Only one set of RCA leads. Can’t remove them. Al- I’ve had the unit for years. This is a new issue...I think...perhaps since the upgrade to the Superpak. BAT can’t replicate the issue. 1- I have the shorting plugs. 2- not sure on the loading...it was set when the cartridge was put in years ago. 3- no sounds...no clicks....It just gets quiet. I can listen for hours before that happens. 4- " When it powers up, it will not be working." That is after the initial mute has concluded it’s cycle. I wait. I hear the click that it’s on. I get music on one channel and I hear nothing in the other channel. I just pull the dead lead, put it back. I’m good to go. Think it’s a grounding issue? It switches from one side to the other randomly. Does that info help? Thanks everyone. |
Thanks for the additional info. It doesn't sound like a grounding issue, as there's no hum involved. If by any chance you have a multimeter, it might be helpful if you could perform the following experiment: Remove one of the XLR shorting plugs. On that plug, measure the resistances between pins 1 and 2; between pins 1 and 3; and between pins 2 and 3. Depending on whether all three pins are shorted together, or just pins 1 and 3 (or possibly 1 and 2) are shorted together, or if there is some significant resistance between the pins, I might have some further ideas. Such as perhaps trying the XLR inputs using RCA-to-XLR adapters. If you don't have a multimeter, you might ask BAT if using an adapter, such as this one, would be ok. Like most such adapters, it connects XLR pins 1 and 3 and the RCA ground shell together, while connecting the RCA center pin to XLR pin 2. Good luck. Regards, -- Al |
Hi Al, OK...here is what has happened since your post: - I own the adaptors you suggested...supplied by David Lewis Audio upon sale. They have been un-used out of a concern that it would degrade the sound. But you provided reason to use them. (FWIW - I did not do the tests you suggested. Is there need for that still? I do not want to overlook anything....) - I inserted the adaptors prior to powering up...and both channels worked! - I listened to a few albums...and then the right channel dropped out... - Without muting anything...I unplugged the right channel from the balanced adaptors and immediately plugged it back in..and the channel came back! - and I took a swig of gin...b/c I was stymied!!! HELP@@!!! |
- 28 posts total