Help - No Sound from Turntable

[Russwilson73]

Hi All … I’ve been refurbishing a Motorola SK160 console for the last 5 months and excited bc I got it powered up for the first time! Took the amp, pre-amp and tuner apart and radio works and sounds great. Turntable operates perfectly except no sound. I can hear the music VERY SLIGHTLY from where the needle is on the record but NOTHING is coming through the speakers. I replaced the needle and still no luck. Any advice out there on where my problem might be??? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[kermit z]

I'm not familiar with consoles but would start with the connection from turntable to pre. make sure the cables are good from the table. Make sure it is set to record player or what ever the pre has set up for playing albums. Maybe post up a picture of the connections on the pre.

 

[MisterDK]

What he said.. ^
I hate to ask this.. but you do have the input set on “phono” - right? And, is the turntable audio output plugged into the phono input of the console preamp? No offense intended - sometimes it’s something simple..

 

[Russwilson73]

No o

What he said.. ^
I hate to ask this.. but you do have the input set on “phono” - right? And, is the turntable audio output plugged into the phono input of the console preamp? No offense intended - sometimes it’s something simple..

No offense taken. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m still on the novice spectrum and very possible I reconnected couple plugs wrong when putting this beauty back together. Wanted to make sure it wasn’t something more tech before pulling her back a part .. which is next step … and is encouraging to hear might be an easy fix. Stand by

 

[Russwilson73]

I'm not familiar with consoles but would start with the connection from turntable to pre. make sure the cables are good from the table. Make sure it is set to record player or what ever the pre has set up for playing albums. Maybe post up a picture of the connections on the pre.

Thx for the quick response @kermit_z. Taking your advice and going back in to double check connections. Appreciate ya!

 

[Russwilson73]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/051rvwJ3xaQsPYTKSibxejfdg

I checked all the connections and everything looks right. Gonna try to link to a video so can see and hear my situation.

pls let me know if the link works. Thx!!

 

[triode]

video worked.
have you tried to unplug the rca cable from the TT and touch the center pins of the plugs. Do you hear a loud hum in each channel ? If yes then the problem is in the TT perhaps in the tonearm or headshell connections. If no hum then its possible the issue lies in the input of the preamp (since you already mentioned that the radio works).
Have you confirmed the cable works ?

 

[fiddlefye]

If it is a typical console turntable it is automatic. The is often a switch that turns off the signal path when the arm is not in the "play" position and the contacts in that can corrode and cease to function. Which model of changer is in there?

 

[Russwilson73]

Thx

video worked.
have you tried to unplug the rca cable from the TT and touch the center pins of the plugs. Do you hear a loud hum in each channel ? If yes then the problem is in the TT perhaps in the tonearm or headshell connections. If no hum then its possible the issue lies in the input of the preamp (since you already mentioned that the radio works).
Have you confirmed the cable works ?

Thx @triode. Yep. There’s a hum when I touch the rca and I connected another source to the phono input and worked well so the issue does seem to isolated to the TT. Tonearm looks to be in good condition. See attached. Qq … when I lightly touch the needle should I I hear static? I don’t. Thx again!

 

[Russwilson73]

@

If it is a typical console turntable it is automatic. The is often a switch that turns off the signal path when the arm is not in the "play" position and the contacts in that can corrode and cease to function. Which model of changer is in there?

hi @fiddlefye attaching a pic. It’s from Motorola SK160 console. Is the area you’re referring to in the on / off/ rej spot?

 

[triode]

Thx

Thx @triode. Yep. There’s a hum when I touch the rca and I connected another source to the phono input and worked well so the issue does seem to isolated to the TT. Tonearm looks to be in good condition. See attached. Qq … when I lightly touch the needle should I I hear static? I don’t. Thx again!

if you lightly touch the needle it should sound like everything's falling apart
are you able to access the connectors on the cartridge ? now try touching the +ve (not ground or -ve) for each channel and see if you hear a hum. basically you just go further down/up with this approach until you figure where the signal stops.
if you have another tt you can put the cartridge on the other ttt and see if the cart+stylus is working properly or not.

 

[Russwilson73]

Good a

if you lightly touch the needle it should sound like everything's falling apart
are you able to access the connectors on the cartridge ? now try touching the +ve (not ground or -ve) for each channel and see if you hear a hum. basically you just go further down/up with this approach until you figure where the signal stops.
if you have another tt you can put the cartridge on the other ttt and see if the cart+stylus is working properly or not.

good advice. Thank you! Will do this to troubleshoot next and report back.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

I think our OP has a dead cartridge. Which will need replacement. Not unusual with older consoles with ceramic cartridges. That Motorola once sorted should sound very nice. Try Gary Stork at www.thevoiceofmusic.com and he should have you a replacement, or find a substitute which works. Gary is friendly, helpful, and gives excellent customer service.

 

[Russwilson73]

I think our OP has a dead cartridge. Which will need replacement. Not unusual with older consoles with ceramic cartridges. That Motorola once sorted should sound very nice. Try Gary Stork at www.thevoiceofmusic.com and he should have you a replacement, or find a substitute which works. Gary is friendly, helpful, and gives excellent customer service.

Wow. Thx @KentTeffeteller! The stereo sounds great and looking forward to getting the turntable rocking. Will reach out to Gary. Beginner question. What do you mean by OP?

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Wow. Thx @KentTeffeteller! The stereo sounds great and looking forward to getting the turntable rocking. Will reach out to Gary. Beginner question. What do you mean by OP?

OP= Original Poster.

 

[orthophonic]

That Motorola uses a Tetrad ceramic cartridge that tracks at 2.5 grams.

 

[Russwilson73]

Thanks @orthophonic!

That Motorola uses a Tetrad ceramic cartridge that tracks at 2.5 grams.