Turntables

I was just able to catch up on these threads at lunch.

@gshepardbuster- you’ve been phenomenal with trying to get the problem rectified and I will continue to try and correct it. I listen to it at your house and I know there were no issues heard that day. I think we both just want it corrected and if we can get to that point, I’d love to keep it.

@paulcreed- Thank you for all the suggestions, lord knows I’ve tried almost everyone of them. Gshepardbuster and I have been trying to figure out and work out the culprit. I am so appreciative to have a AG community with so many seasoned veterans so to speak to lend expertise. 

To all although the seller and myself are trying to work out the plaguing issues, I always throw out test and different things tried so we all can learn and maybe share to the next victim of....”sound issues lol” once I get gone tonight, I’m am going to start poking again. Paulcreed, I think I am going to connect a bastard ground wire from the screw on the head shell/cartridge to the ground on the pre just to test. I’m also going to check humidity levels in my home. Although I have (2) whole hound humidifiers and they’re both working, I want to check the levels. If I recal, the popping and crackling is usually after the needle comes if the LP and I don’t think it pops prior to playing. I have to double check. If so, this would lead me to static? Still have to address the hum issues once and for all as well.

The P25 that I am setting up for a friend has a new Exact 2 on it. The cartridge is very high gain, putting out approximately 7mv. Additionally, the shielding is in the Grado camp.

I had a hum problem as well. My Naim CD player, which is always on, was on the shelf of a Target rack at least 10” below the shelf with the Rega. While still connected, and humming away, I picked up the turntable and moved it around and the hum became louder and softer. Which lead me to turning off the Naim CD player, and the hum was, miraculously, gone.

I think the Exact is a bit hum prone and other internet threads tend to reinforce my impression.

To alleviate static, mix a small amount of commercial fabric softener in water. Put this in a spray bottle and spray on the carpet around the stand, covering the stand if need be to keep the spray from coming in contact with it. A simple solution that will alleviate any static problems that you are having.

@viridian- I’ve tried about everything. I messed around with it again tonight with no luck. At this point I’m not willing to buy a different cartridge right out of the gate or buy longer cables plus another stand etc. just to accommodate this setup. The seller and I are going to hook up Saturday and try a couple experiments. Hopefully we can figure it out. If not, I’ll probably  be in the market for another table & cartridge. 

I’ll recommend something unconventional:

Buy the cheapest decent used turntable you can find (Thorens, Rega 3, even a Technics SL-D2 for under $50 - but stuff plasticine inside the ugly plastic plinth! -etc), and spend the majority of your money on a good MC cartridge and preamp.
In a couple of years, upgrade to a high end turntable.