Common causes of low output?

[Hammerton]

2 cartridges with new styli are producing low outputs. The cart/stylus combos are:

Shure Ultra 300 / Shure N140HE

JVC Z1S / Jico DTZ1EB

Low output is resulting on both of my TT: Marantz 6100 & JVC QL-Y3F

My other cartridges/styli DO NOT exhibit low outputs (Shure M97Xe, AT95E, Stanton 6800EE, AT12S, Shure M91ED, Ortofon Red 2M, Grado Black) when played on these tables, so I think my Marantz SR940 receiver is NOT the problem.

Any suggestions/advice on what may be causing the low output?:scratch2: I think I have them set up correctly...but perhaps I am overlooking something.

Thanks! :yes:

 

[catman]

G'day mate, interesting. Possibly the most common issue with moving magnet cartridges that could cause this type of problem is a not properly inserted stylus, as then the magnet in the stylus assembly will not couple correctly to the coil generator assembly in the cartridge, potentially causing low output.

It has happened to me, so it's worth checking. Regards, Felix aka catman.

 

[Hammerton]

Embarrassed

G'day mate, interesting. Possibly the most common issue with moving magnet cartridges that could cause this type of problem is a not properly inserted stylus, as then the magnet in the stylus assembly will not couple correctly to the coil generator assembly in the cartridge, potentially causing low output.

It has happened to me, so it's worth checking. Regards, Felix aka catman.

Thanks for the good tip, catman. :thmbsp:

How do I say this...uhhhhhh...it turns out I had 'mono' engaged on my receiver! :sigh: Yes, I was sure I'd checked EVERYTHING twice! How something so obvious escaped my noticing is embarrassing. How 'mono' got engaged, I have no idea. But I'm the only one using the receiver, so I can't even point a finger at anyone else.

Do TT gremlins exist? Is there a bigger force messing with me? :scratch2:

Though now I'm confused why my other cart/stylus combinations exhibit normal/loud output when 'mono' is on.

Sorry for wasting your time with the OP.

 

[catman]

G'day mate, I'm glad you found the problem. :thmbsp: Actually when summing to mono that way, interesting things can happen. :yes:

A friend of mine actually uses that technique to check on channel balance of cartridges and allied stuff. Anyway, a good result. Regards, Felix aka catman.