Issue with turntable and stereo speaker channels, headshell ...

[octopus_luke]

Hi guys,

Bit of a novice here on the thread. Really looking for help or diagnosis of my issue.

Set-up:
Technics SL-Q2
Nad PP2 Pre-amp
Nad C 320BEE Amp
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge

It seems my turntable will sporadically play in both my right and left channel speakers, or just the right. I know it is not a cabling issue from my amp to speakers, as this works flawlessly with other devices. My hunch is that it has something to do with the cartridge connection, as I have tried unplugging the head shell, cleaning off (as best I can) and checking connections, plugging back in, and it will work in both stereo channels ... for a while.

So, does anyone have any experience with an issue like this? As I say, it's perhaps a headshell or tonearm issue. Hopefully there's life in this underrated Technics TT yet.

 

[the_nines]

Have you tried a different head-shell?

 

[octopus_luke]

Have you tried a different head-shell?

Nope. I do not believe I have a second head-shell. It's certainly an option.

 

[the_nines]

If you can get another head-shell to try, also may be that the female connectors on the tonearm itself (the part that you fit the head-shell into). Have you tried cleaning that out? Any good contact cleaner would work well.

Trouble-shoot by starting from the cartridge and work backwards to the RCA cables going from turntable to amp and eliminate one-by-one each step. It also may be the tonearm wiring (I doubt unless the table has been abused) or it may be the RCA wires need replacing.

So, start from the cart and work back.

 

[tubewade]

I've had this same failure and it was a failed/intermittent cartridge to headshell lead. The sound would disappear from the right channel but lightly touching the red lead in the headshell with a toothpick whilst playing would bring it around again for a few moments. Replacing the leads solved the problem.