Valentiaman
28-08-2018, 14:24
Some time ago, I posted here asking for advice on very low volume and a hum through my Cambridge Audio Azur amp, when paired with a Dual 505 turntable, which had been with me for nearly 30 years.
I just wanted to bring you up to speed with what's happened in the last 2 months - and what the issue really was, as I thought it may be helpful to others.
1. I had tried 2 pre-amps with the Dual (a NAD and a Berhinger PP400) and the low volume issue, and having to turn the amp up until it was humming persisted. Until, as a last resort, I bought another pre-amp. This was an ART DJ II, with a gain knob. I turned that up to 11 (well, max, 5 I think), and the volume on the Dual increased significantly, by at least 30%.
2. The hum was still there (not very loud) and the advice from the store (hiFi hut) in Dublin was that I needed a new turntable (of course!). I bought a Rega Planar 1, and the hum persisted.
3. I then bought a Marantz P5005 amp. The Rega and the Dual worked perfectly through it, no hum. But, on back to back comparisons, I couldn't hear much difference between the Rega and the Dual, so HiFi, no I didn't really need the Rega.
4. I do now, though. Carrying the Dual back to a closet in my guest room on Saturday, I walked it into the door! It fell on the floor and smashed into several bits! It was like losing an old friend, although I have salvaged the rubber mat and put it on the Rega.
I'll be making another post soon about the Rega. I hope this was useful.
Stephen
I just wanted to bring you up to speed with what's happened in the last 2 months - and what the issue really was, as I thought it may be helpful to others.
1. I had tried 2 pre-amps with the Dual (a NAD and a Berhinger PP400) and the low volume issue, and having to turn the amp up until it was humming persisted. Until, as a last resort, I bought another pre-amp. This was an ART DJ II, with a gain knob. I turned that up to 11 (well, max, 5 I think), and the volume on the Dual increased significantly, by at least 30%.
2. The hum was still there (not very loud) and the advice from the store (hiFi hut) in Dublin was that I needed a new turntable (of course!). I bought a Rega Planar 1, and the hum persisted.
3. I then bought a Marantz P5005 amp. The Rega and the Dual worked perfectly through it, no hum. But, on back to back comparisons, I couldn't hear much difference between the Rega and the Dual, so HiFi, no I didn't really need the Rega.
4. I do now, though. Carrying the Dual back to a closet in my guest room on Saturday, I walked it into the door! It fell on the floor and smashed into several bits! It was like losing an old friend, although I have salvaged the rubber mat and put it on the Rega.
I'll be making another post soon about the Rega. I hope this was useful.
Stephen