Newb TT question

[Lwrs10]

I just bought my first TT yesterday, a Sony PS-4300. Plays great, but I just noticed something wrong...

It has a low frequency problem. I took the grills off my speakers and noticed my speakers constantly flexing even in quiet parts of a song. As in 20hz and under.....What is causing this?

The low frequency filter on my receiver seems to fix most of it, but I am wondering if there is something wrong with my TT....

 

[reneborg]

This is often caused by feedback from your speakers to your tonearm. It sometimes happens because your TT is too close to the speakers. Do you by any chance have the TT on top of the speaker or within a couple of feet? It also can happen if the TT is in the 'line of fire' of your speakers.

Another possibility is the TT itself is the source (called rumble). A definitive test is listening to the TT's body with a stethoscope, and if you don't have one you can get your ear as close as you can and turn the TT on but don't play a record. See if you can hear any noise coming from the TT itself.

 

[Dr Tinear]

It's probably acoustic feedback. If your turntable is placed where it can pick up bass vibrations from your speakers, those vibrations can couple into the stylus (needle) and cause the type of woofer motion you see. Try moving the turntable where it won't be exposed to direct sound from your speakers.

Another possibility is rumble -- low-frequency vibration from the turntable's drive system. Lubricating the main platter bearing may help in some cases. If it's severe, you'll probably have to find a better turntable or just use the low filter on your receiver whenever you play records.

 

[Lwrs10]

it is sitting on the same surface as both my speakers....

 

[reneborg]

easiest test -- move the turntable or speakers and see if that fixes it. Pay heed to the other advice here regarding acoustic feedback and you might get an answer.

good luck!

 

[Lwrs10]

easiest test -- move the turntable or speakers and see if that fixes it. Pay heed to the other advice here regarding acoustic feedback and you might get an answer.

good luck!

With no speakers playing i can still watch the VU needles dance like its still there. Seems to be related to the arm wobbling...

 

[hakaplan]

No, it's not a matter of just turning off the speakers. The magnets on the speakers will still have an effect. You have to move the turntable well away from the speakers. If the problem persists after that, then look elsewhere, but proximity to speakers is the number one cause of acoustic feedback.

 

[Lwrs10]

maybe i can explain it better. I can watch the needle "flutter" back and forth while playing. This is what is causing my problems. how do i stop this?

 

[PickyEars81]

I'm no expert but two things that come to mind are:

1. Warped record
2. Tracking problems (incorrect tracking weight, etc)

However, the phenomenon you are describing with the speakers moving is usually due to acoustic feedback, as previously indicated. You should still try moving it away and see what happens.

 

[catman]

G'day all, 'sub bass' energy caused by record warps etc is probably inevitable to a certain degree and I've battled a few examples of this sort of issue myself.

Probably the best solution to this, if sub bass energy is indeed the inherent cause and it is impossible to eliminate through other means, is to use a good sub bass 'filter', although before adopting that approach it is worth having a long hard look at the general set up in an attempt to eliminate all possible causes. Regards, Felix aka catman.

 

[davidro]

Me says it would be the particular record. Some records play like that, even if they look OK. Try different records.

 

[DanBa]

That PS4300 is a beautiful TT, I have one too. I have an equalizer, and leave the subsonic filter on all the time. I know this can help with warped records. Good luck, welcome to AK