N00b turntable questions

jianghai · February 08, 2012, 07:55:59 AM

I've been googling around for a bit but haven't found an answer for my question, so here goes:

I recently bought a used turntable and I've had 2 problems thus far. It's a audio technica 120 with a shure 97x cart. I've balanced and aligned things to the best of my ability.

1. Lots of pops and clicks, and random total silence in quiet passages
I think this is a sign of a worn cart? Should I be replacing the needle/cartridge?

2. I can hear the music at a low volume at the cartridge without the speakers on. Is this normal?

Thanks!
J

richidoo · February 08, 2012, 08:29:39 AM

Sounds like bad connections if the signal is dropping out.

Yes, you can hear the needle in the groove.

Search the web for technics alignment protractor. I will look for a link in my favorites. It makes a HUGE difference. I sold my m97 cart to Barry before I learned the importance of good alignment.

In this price range <500 the replacement stylus usually costs almost as much as a new cartridge. I like lpgear.com
http://www.lpgear.com/category/SSBC.html

tmazz · February 08, 2012, 09:02:31 AM

Quote from: richidoo on February 08, 2012, 08:29:39 AM

In this price range <500 the replacement stylus usually costs almost as much as a new cartridge.

Rich is right again! From the Needle Doctor - Shure M97 XE = $90, replacemetn stylus for the same - $75

http://www.needledoctor.com/Shure-M97XE?sc=2&category=380

At that point it doesn't even pay to repace the stylus, just get a whole cart with a new suspension systems (the suspension bushings do tend to dry out and harded over time.)

jianghai · February 08, 2012, 10:30:49 AM

Quote from: richidoo on February 08, 2012, 08:29:39 AM
Sounds like bad connections if the signal is dropping out.

You mean from the cartridge to the headshell? I'll check that when I get home.

Quote from: tmazz on February 08, 2012, 09:02:31 AM
At that point it doesn't even pay to repace the stylus, just get a whole cart with a new suspension systems (the suspension bushings do tend to dry out and harded over time.)

But the conclusion is essentially that I need a new cartridge?

Barry (NJ) · February 08, 2012, 10:38:16 AM

Quote from: jianghai on February 08, 2012, 07:55:59 AM
1. Lots of pops and clicks, and random total silence in quiet passages

Sounds to me like you need a good record cleaner more than a new cartridge...

Putz · February 08, 2012, 10:55:08 AM

Amazon has that cart for $59.99

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-M97xE-High-Performance-Magnetic-Cartridge/dp/B00006I5SB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328726957&sr=8-1

Have you been playing any brand new/clean records and getting pops, clicks and random total silence? As Barry mentioned a worn/dirty record will generate the above.

richidoo · February 08, 2012, 11:56:21 AM

The bad connection could be anywhere in the signal path.

The cartridge should not cause signal dropouts unless it has been seriously abused, but that's possible.

jianghai · February 08, 2012, 01:59:39 PM

Quote from: Putz on February 08, 2012, 10:55:08 AM
Amazon has that cart for $59.99

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-M97xE-High-Performance-Magnetic-Cartridge/dp/B00006I5SB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328726957&sr=8-1

Have you been playing any brand new/clean records and getting pops, clicks and random total silence? As Barry mentioned a worn/dirty record will generate the above.

Yup just bought it. Was hoping not to spend much on the turntable, but what the heck.

The same record(s) play fine (some pops, clicks but not a lot) on another turntable, and looks clean, so I really don't think it's the record itself. Hopefully things will get fixed with the new M97xE. I really like that it's got the dust brush --> none of the records I raided from the goodwill/scrap exchange are actually flat and I hope the "dynamic stabilizer" feature will help with that. Thanks all. Apologies for being such a n00b.

richidoo · February 08, 2012, 02:20:46 PM

We LOVE n00bs!!

For some reason I misread Technics when actually you said AT turntable. Is it a PL120 like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-PL120-Professional-Direct-Drive-Turntable/dp/B00012EYNG

Read this:
http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=41203

Technics protractor:
http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge-alignment-protractors.shtml

You have to register on vinylengine.com to download the files.

mdconnelly · February 08, 2012, 04:42:41 PM

Jianghai, good to see you here on AN!

I can say that if you're hearing lots of pops & clicks on your turntable but the same albums have less pops & clicks on another turntable, I strongly suspect that the other cartridge is simply riding the grooves deeper in the groove (where the vinyl is less worn). I've often found that vinyl that appears badly worn may not necessarily sound that way if my cartridge can ride the groove at a lower level than whoever originally used/abused the LP.

My guess is that a newer cartridge would make a big difference, but if you're hearing pops & clicks, that's gotta be to large extent, the condition of the LP. I will say that a good record cleaner can make a difference. You're welcome to come over and we can clean a few LPs to see if it makes a diff. I've got a VPI 16.5. Or, as a test, just take a bit of soapy water & a clean, lint-free cloth. Be sure to rinse well. Won't be as good as a good rec cleaner, but should help indicate if the issue is the LP or the cartridge.

Keep us posted!

rollo · February 08, 2012, 06:05:00 PM

Now this is the Audio Nervosa spirit I love so much. Welcome Jianghai. Enjoy the vinyl !

charles

jianghai · February 08, 2012, 08:14:34 PM

Thanks all!

@richidoo Yup I do have the 120. I'm just using the built in phono pre right now, sounds decent other than the pops licks and silences. thanks for the links, I did read them but none of them are helping - I think I've concluded that the needle is past due so I'm looking forward to the new Shure I ordered.

@mdconnelly I'm gonna take you up on the VPI - that looks fancy. Come visit the aerials