Tonearm Earth Lead

[Jimbo]

Why does a tonearm have an earth lead?

Can anyone tell me what effect a missing tonearm earth lead will have?:scratch:

[Gordon Steadman]

Why does a tonearm have an earth lead?

Can anyone tell me what effect a missing tonearm earth lead will have?:scratch:
In my case, lots of hum!! If there is no earth lead, I automatically rig one up from the phono amp to some part of the arm, usually with a reduction in noise. I suppose if yours is quiet then you don't have to worry about it.

[Beobloke]

Why does a tonearm have an earth lead?

To allow the tonearm to be earthed. ;)


Can anyone tell me what effect a missing tonearm earth lead will have?:scratch:

Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[Jimbo]

To allow the tonearm to be earthed. ;)



Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Apart from hum does the earth lead have any other effect on the tonearm wiring and its presentation of the music?

[walpurgis]

Apart from hum does the earth lead have any other effect on the tonearm wiring and its presentation of the music?

Not that I can claim having heard. Sometimes you need to connect the earth, on other setups it can actually induce hum, but it's useful to have just in case. if your TT arrangement works without connecting an earth all well and good. Just experiment.

[Jimbo]

Not that I can claim having heard. Sometimes you need to connect the earth, on other setups it can actually induce hum, but it's useful to have just in case. if your TT arrangement works without connecting an earth all well and good. Just experiment.

Thanks for the reply Geoff. I know on the face of it my question sounds obvious and simple but...On my VPI the tonearm lead is connected to the RCA junction box. This has a seperate terminal to connect the earth lead to it. From this terminal I use another earth lead with a spade connector to earth TT to preamp.

Over the weekend I noticed that the earth lead fitted with a spade plug was not connected to the terminal on the RCA junction box. I did not have any hum issues. However once fitted correctly it had quite a profound effect on my system SQ.

Vocals were much more clearer and soundstage moved further behind the speakers. There was also a large increase in detail and ambience in recordings. I could go on.

Hence my question about the earth lead. This was the only thing I could pinpoint that was different in my system when I connected it properly. :scratch:

[walpurgis]

I can't say why you should perceive a change like this James, but if it works for you, stick with it. :)

[PaulStewart]

Thanks for the reply Geoff. I know on the face of it my question sounds obvious and simple but...On my VPI the tonearm lead is connected to the RCA junction box. This has a seperate terminal to connect the earth lead to it. From this terminal I use another earth lead with a spade connector to earth TT to preamp.

Over the weekend I noticed that the earth lead fitted with a spade plug was not connected to the terminal on the RCA junction box. I did not have any hum issues. However once fitted correctly it had quite a profound effect on my system SQ.

Vocals were much more clearer and soundstage moved further behind the speakers. There was also a large increase in detail and ambience in recordings. I could go on.

Hence my question about the earth lead. This was the only thing I could pinpoint that was different in my system when I connected it properly. :scratch:

Apart from reducing the hum pick up, the earthing of the tone arm also reduces RFI, this could be why you perceive greater clarity and depth with the earth in place.

Cheers

[Ali Tait]

Could have been RF from the TT motor or nearby transformers affecting the signal. Earthing the to arm again stopped it, hence the improved SQ.

[Ali Tait]

Snap! :-)

[PaulStewart]

Snap! :-)

Great minds Ali. great minds :lol:

[Ali Tait]

:D

[Jimbo]

Funny just opened the latest Russ Andrews freeby catalogue and he has a an article on earthing and grounding. It makes a distinction between the two and suggests that effective grounding can indeed have the profound effects I have heard.

May well be doing what you suggested Ali in terms of RFI.

Now I usually take with a pinch of salt some of the claims for various effects induced by doing this or that to your equipment but having heard the difference with my own ears I can confirm good grounding can make a profound difference.

I suspect the spade plug was touching the terminal in question, hence no hum, but not connected properly. Since ensuring a good connection the efficacy of the grounding is now sorted.

I am going to investigate this further maybe with better spade plugs.

[Jimbo]

Does anyone know if the lead from the tonearm to the preamp is for earthing or grounding?

[Barry]

If by "earthing" you mean connection to the preamp's metal casing and thence to the mains earth, then yes.

"Ground" and "grounding" are the American terms for our (UK) "earth" and "earthing", but are also used, confusingly, to refer to the signal return or 0V rail. The latter may, or may not, be connected to the mains earth and hence ultimately to terra firma.

I'm inclined to agree with both Paul and Ali, that the reduction of RFI may be the explanation for the perceived improvement in SQ.

[Thebiglebowski]

I didn't earth my TT as it wasn't noisy or humming but found that when I was placing records on the platter the stylus was picking up static and making some bloody loud cracks and pops, connected the earth and the static noise is no longer happens.

[Voland]

Folks, is there any good source to buy a terminated earth lead separately? Or I'd rather go DIY route? (jumped in here as did not want to start a new thread on this )

[flapland]

Any cable will do from bell wire to armoured high voltage cable. Suggest the former for practicality. ;-)