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Hearing a “Static” Sound

Thomas David

Thomas David

Member
So… I have been hearing what can only be described as a “static sound” coming from 3 different sets of speakers (Infinity Crescendo OVTR-2, Infinity CS 3006, and ADS L-620) when I have used two different turntables (Bang and Olufsen RX-2, Pioneer PL-61) to play various brand new audiophile grade records (Blue Note Tone Poet, Analogue Productions UHQR). I’ve tried different RCA (WBC, and various less expensive brands) cables to connect each turntable, have checked and rechecked the ground connection to each turntable, and have even plugged each turntable into a high quality line conditioner rather than to the back of my amp - all of this and still static on higher pitched notes. Not complete static but a very noticeable sound along with the higher pitched sounds of whatever instrument is being heard. I believe after all of this that my Pioneer SA-7800 must be the problem since it is the only other common denominator. However, my CD player, my tuner, and my connection to my computer through a DAC all sound fantastic without even a hint of that static sound. I’ve determined, and please tell me if I’m missing something or that I’m wrong, that the phono stage of my amp must be the problem. What do y’all think? If it is in fact the phono stage, what should I try next? Spray a bit of DeOxit on the terminals? Open the case and use a bit of compressed air to clean the terminals? Please advise as I need to feed my addiction without static!

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Tom
 
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Try cleaning the " Phono Interference " switch. Located on the rear panel. Best bet is to disassemble and clean the tarnished contacts.
 
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avionic said:
Try cleaning the " Phono Interference " switch. Located on the rear panel. Best bet is to disassemble and clean the tarnished contacts.
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I was wondering about that switch as it didn’t seem to help either on or off. I’ll definitely try to clean the contacts before anything else.
 
Unused switches on the rear panel always seem to get dirtier and dustier than any other switches.. Out of sight out of mind..
 
If the back panel switch is a dead end. Try deox-iting the input select wafer switch. If that doesn't improve things , there are 6 transistors in the phono pre-amp that could be noisy.
 
So I’ve tried everything to remove that distortion from my playback of vinyl on my system. I cleaned the phono interference switch with deoxit, sprayed a bit of deoxit into the input selector switch, even bought an iFi Audio Zen Phono Preamp and connect it to my Auxiliary connection on my amp. No luck. That’s what I don’t understand… if the phono stage on my 7800 is independent of other systems on the amp (at least that’s what I’ve been told) and I’m not getting distortion from my CD player, my tuner, or my DAC, why am I still getting it with the iFi Zen connected through my Aux input? Must be my turntable right? I have two quality turntables and the distortion is evident when using both of them. I also took some advice from another vinyl user who suggested I ground the blue connector on my cartridge to the metal housing using a piece of tin foil. No luck. I don’t have a clue what to do next. Could it be connection adapters I installed? (see pic) Should I go ahead and recap and replace some of the transistors in the amp? Totally confused!
 

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Forgive my ignorance, but could it be a cartridge/stylus alignment issue? I know it’d be odd on two turntables, but the fact it’s on higher pitch notes jumped out at me. Is it at every spot on the record or does it get worse as the tonearm progresses toward the center? I’m probably way off base, but wanted to throw it out.
 
I’ll take any help I can get. I’m beginning to wonder if I have two turntables that are defective or if the amp is somehow incompatible with the turntables but that can’t be true, can it? The B&O turntable offers no ability to adjust the cartridge on the tone arm, and the stylus is a permanent part of the cartridge, i.e. you have to buy the cartridge to get the stylus. So alignment is fixed. The alignment on my Pioneer is perpendicular to the surface of the platter. Distortion is just as bad at the beginning of the record as it is at the beginning. I’m beginning to think I’m crazy, but I’m playing the same album from Lou Donaldson as I was playing from vinyl and it sounds perfect.
 
Those kind of issues are maddening. It seems to me you’ve ruled out the amp by using different inputs and getting the same result, because other sources through the non-phono input sound right. Is that correct?

I know you said you checked interconnects, but I’d be looking for something common for both turntables. I’d even try putting them on a different AC circuit with a temporary extension cord to further rule out power issues.

I thought you might be using the same headshell/cartridge combo on both turntables, but that’s clearly not possible, I have a sibilance issue with a Technics SL-1300 Mk II that I can’t rectify no matter what I do. It gets worse as the tonearm progresses. The technics cartridge setup should be easy as I have the tool, but the issue persists no matter what I do (including different cartridge/headshell combos). Not to hijack your thread, just why I was thinking cartridge/stylus.

I feel your pain. Best of luck sorting it out.
 
lqpete11 said:
Those kind of issues are maddening. It seems to me you’ve ruled out the amp by using different inputs and getting the same result, because other sources through the non-phono input sound right. Is that correct?

I know you said you checked interconnects, but I’d be looking for something common for both turntables. I’d even try putting them on a different AC circuit with a temporary extension cord to further rule out power issues.

I thought you might be using the same headshell/cartridge combo on both turntables, but that’s clearly not possible, I have a sibilance issue with a Technics SL-1300 Mk II that I can’t rectify no matter what I do. It gets worse as the tonearm progresses. The technics cartridge setup should be easy as I have the tool, but the issue persists no matter what I do (including different cartridge/headshell combos). Not to hijack your thread, just why I was thinking cartridge/stylus.

I feel your pain. Best of luck sorting it out.
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Great minds think alike or maybe it’s just that they persist until they get it right. About 15 minutes before I read your response I did just what you said - plugged into another circuit with an extension cord. Voila! It sounds like it used too. I’m so relieved because I’ve been stressing about this for a couple of weeks! You’d think it would “sweating the small stuff” but music is an essential part of my day, especially music on vinyl. Whew….

Now for your issue:
 
I just looked up the word sibilance and took a look at Sweetwater’s definition. Check it out: https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/sibilance/

It actually sounds similar to what was happening to me, only higher pitched sounds from a guitar or a saxophone. Almost sounded “fuzzy”, if that makes any sense. I’m sure you’d rather not buy more equipment for something that probably shouldn’t be happening anyway, but it may help to diagnose the problem. I think my issue is also one that has to do with grounding, and/or shared circuits?
 
Thomas David said:
I just looked up the word sibilance and took a look at Sweetwater’s definition. Check it out: https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/sibilance/

Thank you for the Stillwater link. Very interesting info.

It actually sounds similar to what was happening to me, only higher pitched sounds from a guitar or a saxophone. Almost sounded “fuzzy”, if that makes any sense. I’m sure you’d rather not buy more equipment for something that probably shouldn’t be happening anyway, but it may help to diagnose the problem. I think my issue is also one that has to do with grounding, and/or shared circuits?
Click to expand...

I should probably listen to my own advice and try the power swap. Mine is plugged into a Monster power conditioner, so I “assumed” all was well. My issue gets worse as the tonearm moves to center, so I’m fairly sure it’s an alignment issue. I just need some patience…
 
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