Channel issues regardless of equipment combination.

[Garnacerous]

Hey guys. I guess I should introduce myself first. I've been a lurker here for a while, and have built up my audio knowledge mostly thanks to everyone in this forum, so thanks. Yet, no matter how much I read and use the search bar, I cant find a solution to this issue I'm having.

I have a technics SL-D1 hooked up to a pioneer sx 3700 and cerwin vega RE 25 speakers. When everything is hooked up and in "Stereo Mode," I'll only get sound out of one channel (nothing is in the meter display for the missing channel either). Then, if I pull out the turntable RCA connections going into the phono and swap them and reconnect them, I'll hear a loud pop and ill get sound out of both speakers. I assumed this meant that my phono inputs were dirty or corroded, so I cleaned them up, but the problem would return pretty much every time I went to use it. Then, I tried plugging the RCA plug from the non-working channel into the receiver channel I know works. At this point I get loud buzzing but no music. This made me thing it was the RCA cables or their solder points that were the issue.

I got my hands on a project/one turntable to make sure it wasn't my turntable/rca cables... still had the same issue. I also found a newer panasonic receiver with phono to test out the amp part... problem persists. I know its not the speakers because get sound out of both speakers when I have it on the "Mono" setting on the receiver.

Basically, I'm lost at this point and have no idea what my next trouble shooting steps should be.

 

[Garnacerous]

For anyone interested, I think I solved it. I'll have to wait a few days to know for sure that its permanently solved.

I believe it had something to do with the power strip I was using. I had read about certain outlet combinations causing a grounding loop and creating hum, but never heard of it completely cutting out one of the channels. However, I tried it anyways. I removed the power strip, and the lamp connected to the power strip, and plugged both the turntable and the receiver directly into the wall. Immediately, I got great stereo sound out of both speakers. Then, I try again a couple hours later and hear the same thing.

Hopefully this was the issue (although I'm going to have to move the lamp to find an outlet for it now).

 

[goodolpg]

I never would have guessed it was the power strip.

 

[Binkman]

Just threw one in recycle bin last week. I have a couple of 6 pack plug ins that are just direct connect to a couple of outlets after I replace the outlets with new ones ( as old and plugs don't fit tight after years of use.) Might check your outlets for ground faults but I also have a strip I got at GW new with a ground fault led. Maybe something out there like it.. this is an "auvio" with circuit protect and one side switched and the other always on.

Maybe get a good deal on a UPS, even used the batteries now last a lot longer but most with worn out batteries still have filtering if your ac power is noisy. Just noting many of these mini amps and kits don't really provide that much filtering.