Installed brand new cartridge on Kenwood KD-550, new sound is terrible.

[stereofisher]

Good luck with your setup. I had about 200 LPs back then. The 2270 was out of reach back then. Have one now. Rebuilt by Bob (wlhd1610). Sounds great. I live about 60 miles north of NYC. Pulls stations from NY. Glad to see you aren’t getting hit with college expenses. Hated those loans. But used some of it to buy stereo stuff! Nice upgrade.

Eric

 

[Carlo1208]

Thank you all for kind and inspiring posts! Haha. Appreciate it!

Now, one thing at a time... let's start with those vibrapods

Another inexpensive improvement you might like to try, I keep several spare sets around. They work especially great under turntables but I've also had good results using them under disc players and amps as well. They're sold in different weight ranges.

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What exactly are these for? I feel like I need them. My system has become very powerful. Even more now. With some pretty heavy bass despite the fact that I only have the knob a bit over half way and not fully. I've noticed when I'm listening to music that my Marantz's lights will slightly flicker. Only happens when listening to music, not when it's just on and nothing is playing. Feel like the vibrations really hit the speaker. If I'm not careful these things may pop. Would the vibrapods help with that? If so, where do you place them? Under the legs I assume?

 

[jobrewer1983]

Thank you all for kind and inspiring posts! Haha. Appreciate it!

Now, one thing at a time... let's start with those vibrapods


What exactly are these for? I feel like I need them. My system has become very powerful. Even more now. With some pretty heavy bass despite the fact that I only have the knob a bit over half way and not fully. I've noticed when I'm listening to music that my Marantz's lights will slightly flicker. Only happens when listening to music, not when it's just on and nothing is playing. Feel like the vibrations really hit the speaker. If I'm not careful these things may pop. Would the vibrapods help with that? If so, where do you place them? Under the legs I assume?

Have you cleaned all the pots and switches on your amp? Have you tested your table on another amp to see if it has the same issue?

Isolation feet will not help with your issue, they will help keep the table isolated from other gear, and help with low end vibration. This helps to create a cleaner sound stage. This will not fix the "Pop" you are talking about.

Test it out on another amp, if you have the same issue you know its the table. Than start from there.

Good luck,
John

 

[Carlo1208]

Have you cleaned all the pots and switches on your amp? Have you tested your table on another amp to see if it has the same issue?

Isolation feet will not help with your issue, they will help keep the table isolated from other gear, and help with low end vibration. This helps to create a cleaner sound stage. This will not fix the "Pop" you are talking about.

Test it out on another amp, if you have the same issue you know its the table. Than start from there.

Good luck,
John

To which issue are you referring? The popping/ bump sound when I mount the tonearm back into it's position, or the "very slight flickering lights' of my Marantz?

Since you mentioned the pop I will assume it's the former. No I haven't cleaned the pots and switches on my Marantz 2270 Receiver. I only got it a couple weeks ago. Maybe a month and a half ago. And it had been serviced, recapped, and cleaned before. So I haven't gotten to doing that yet as I don't think I need to for a while. But I doubt it's the issue. Why? Because it only started doing this after I've installed the new Denon cart. It's never done this before using either my Marantz receiver or Kenwood Integrated Amp.

 

[Pio1980]

The pop handling the arm is due to there being no automuting on the arm/turntable. It is an artifact, not a fault.

 

[jobrewer1983]

To which issue are you referring? The popping/ bump sound when I mount the tonearm back into it's position, or the "very slight flickering lights' of my Marantz?

Since you mentioned the pop I will assume it's the former. No I haven't cleaned the pots and switches on my Marantz 2270 Receiver. I only got it a couple weeks ago. Maybe a month and a half ago. And it had been serviced, recapped, and cleaned before.

If properly serviced you should not have any issues with the lamps flickering while in play. ^^

So I haven't gotten to doing that yet as I don't think I need to for a while. But I doubt it's the issue. Why? Because it only started doing this after I've installed the new Denon cart. It's never done this before using either my Marantz receiver or Kenwood Integrated Amp.

I see, so it may very well be the cart, do your drivers (speakers) jump all over when the stylus is on the LP?

As for what issues I was talking about, I was responding your question if the isolation feet would help... they wont help either the light flickering or the Pop sounds.

I have been down this road with a few tables, and what I have found was it was a grounding issue. your issue could be something completely different but it sounds like something is not properly grounded.

I don't know the stock arm on the 550, as mine is not stock, but id say test out the interconnects between the arm and the amp, if your ground wire has a spade on it, cut it off and trim back a tiny amount of fresh wire.

The table would have nothing to do with it other than the grounding and the RCA's. The arm is isolated from any of the internal electronics. So you know 100% for sure its the arm, or cart configuration.

if its not your arm/cart its your amp. on your head amp, or phono stage, is there a gain setting or even a setting for resistance?

 

[jobrewer1983]

The pop handling the arm is due to there being no automuting on the arm/turntable. It is an artifact, not a fault.

Right, unless he is saying its a loud pop, usually a tiny click can be heard, but that's a given.

 

[guiller]

Thank you all for kind and inspiring posts! Haha. Appreciate it!

Now, one thing at a time... let's start with those vibrapods


What exactly are these for? I feel like I need them. My system has become very powerful. Even more now. With some pretty heavy bass despite the fact that I only have the knob a bit over half way and not fully. I've noticed when I'm listening to music that my Marantz's lights will slightly flicker. Only happens when listening to music, not when it's just on and nothing is playing. Feel like the vibrations really hit the speaker. If I'm not careful these things may pop. Would the vibrapods help with that? If so, where do you place them? Under the legs I assume?

An effect on the lights like the one you describe may also be originated in a taxed power source in your receiver, in case you were listening music at very high volumen levels.

 

[Carlo1208]

I see, so it may very well be the cart, do your drivers (speakers) jump all over when the stylus is on the LP?

As for what issues I was talking about, I was responding your question if the isolation feet would help... they wont help either the light flickering or the Pop sounds.

I have been down this road with a few tables, and what I have found was it was a grounding issue. your issue could be something completely different but it sounds like something is not properly grounded.

I don't know the stock arm on the 550, as mine is not stock, but id say test out the interconnects between the arm and the amp, if your ground wire has a spade on it, cut it off and trim back a tiny amount of fresh wire.

The table would have nothing to do with it other than the grounding and the RCA's. The arm is isolated from any of the internal electronics. So you know 100% for sure its the arm, or cart configuration.

if its not your arm/cart its your amp. on your head amp, or phono stage, is there a gain setting or even a setting for resistance?

I should mention this, my cables connect from the tonearm to the amp. Not turntable to amp. It's a 5 pin DIN to RCA cable. Got it from Amazon for $90 from a brand called AudioQuest. Sadly my original Kenwood cable came ripped when I got it back in 2016. However, there is a grounding plug on the back on the turntable. Maybe I should buy a grounding cable and connect it from there to the Emotiva?

 

[maxhifi]

A long time ago, I used to work in retail audio. I'll tell you now what I would have told you then: You are a college student on a budget, return the Denon 103. It's a great cart but what you need to listen to music while in school is a cartridge like the Audio Technica AT 95e which sells well below 100$ and will get you into listening to records without breaking the bank. Forget about the other tonearms and put your cash into your studies and lp's. There are a few more cartridges under a 100$ that would fill the bill.

Before you jump into gear hoarding, build a record collection, you have a lifetime ahead of you to go down that road. First, get your college education and enjoy music on a budget that allows you to enjoy it. No need to spend audiophile dollars on a beer budget. An AT 95 on a high priced deck with a high priced arm will make your jaw drop on the floor, it's a sleeper and a damned fine cartridge.

^^^^I couldn't agree more with this. Good point and good advice.

 

[maxhifi]

I feel like I should mention that I’m not new to vinyl. I’ve had my turntable since 2016, and collected a good amount of vinyl since then. Should’ve communicated that. Saying since I’ve noticed some of this answer sound as if they’re under the impression that I’m barley starting out.

Keep in mind you're talking mostly with people who have thousands of LPs, and have been playing them since before you were born... I suppose it's a matter of perspective.

I used to blow a lot of my money on hi-fi equipment when I was in college too. IMHO you'd be better off getting a better amp, before upgrading to an MC cart - an MC with a receiver seems kind of frivolous to me. The MC has another major drawback of a non replaceable stylus, if you listen to music as much as I did in college.

 

[Carlo1208]

Keep in mind you're talking mostly with people who have thousands of LPs, and have been playing them since before you were born... I suppose it's a matter of perspective.

I used to blow a lot of my money on hi-fi equipment when I was in college too. IMHO you'd be better off getting a better amp, before upgrading to an MC cart - an MC with a receiver seems kind of frivolous to me. The MC has another major drawback of a non replaceable stylus, if you listen to music as much as I did in college.

Oh, not sure if you've read the whole thread, but that case is close... hopefully for a good while haha but I'm sure it'll reopen in the future.

I ended up keeping the Denon cart and buying a Emotiva Pre-Amp that supports MC carts.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Keep in mind you're talking mostly with people who have thousands of LPs, and have been playing them since before you were born... I suppose it's a matter of perspective.

I think we need a poll as I think 1000 records is well above average for folks. I know there are multi-thousand record collections in the AK collective but I think somewhere in the hundreds is a more realistic number for talking about most people joining the discussions here in TTs. Yes, lots with thousands but I only have hakf a grand of em. Maybe it is because I have another 300 or so recorded on big reels and many did not go that route at all. Curious.

 

[Grenadeslio]

I think we need a poll as I think 1000 records is well above average for folks. I know there are multi-thousand record collections in the AK collective but I think somewhere in the hundreds is a more realistic number for talking about most people joining the discussions here in TTs. Yes, lots with thousands but I only have hakf a grand of em. Maybe it is because I have another 300 or so recorded on big reels and many did not go that route at all. Curious.

I haven't counted but I know its definitely more than 1000 here.

 

[jobrewer1983]

I should mention this, my cables connect from the tonearm to the amp. Not turntable to amp. It's a 5 pin DIN to RCA cable. Got it from Amazon for $90 from a brand called AudioQuest. Sadly my original Kenwood cable came ripped when I got it back in 2016. However, there is a grounding plug on the back on the turntable. Maybe I should buy a grounding cable and connect it from there to the Emotiva?

It wont hurt it, and you need to have it properly grounded.

 

[jobrewer1983]

Keep in mind you're talking mostly with people who have thousands of LPs, and have been playing them since before you were born... I suppose it's a matter of perspective.

I used to blow a lot of my money on hi-fi equipment when I was in college too. IMHO you'd be better off getting a better amp, before upgrading to an MC cart - an MC with a receiver seems kind of frivolous to me. The MC has another major drawback of a non replaceable stylus, if you listen to music as much as I did in college.

you can get them re-tipped, but that than starts the argument of what is better a MM or MC.... as you stated Perspective.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Thank you all for kind and inspiring posts! Haha. Appreciate it!

Now, one thing at a time... let's start with those vibrapods


What exactly are these for? I feel like I need them. My system has become very powerful. Even more now. With some pretty heavy bass despite the fact that I only have the knob a bit over half way and not fully. I've noticed when I'm listening to music that my Marantz's lights will slightly flicker. Only happens when listening to music, not when it's just on and nothing is playing. Feel like the vibrations really hit the speaker. If I'm not careful these things may pop. Would the vibrapods help with that? If so, where do you place them? Under the legs I assume?

Yes they go under the feet. My Kenwood KD770D didn't need them, the feet on the deck are very effective at blocking any vibration from getting through. The Rock's on the other hand weren't so great, the Vibrapods were a great help.

Here they are under the Rock.

 

[Blue Shadow]

The ground connection on the back of the KD-500/550 is for grounding the motor and the manual says to use it without fail but that some cartridges will sound fine without it. Same for the ground wire that is part of the tonearm wiring. So bottom line use it if you need it.

 

[damacman]

I think we need a poll as I think 1000 records is well above average for folks. I know there are multi-thousand record collections in the AK collective but I think somewhere in the hundreds is a more realistic number for talking about most people joining the discussions here in TTs. Yes, lots with thousands but I only have hakf a grand of em. Maybe it is because I have another 300 or so recorded on big reels and many did not go that route at all. Curious.

IMHO, 1,000 would be the typical AKer who’s a vinyl junkie ... guys like Dan, Ron, and others are on a whole ‘nuther level ...

 

[damacman]

OP - glad to hear you’re enjoying the new set up!