Buzzing tonearm

[Mikeandvan]

Since I've had my Croft preamp I've noticed a sizeable buzz from my tonearm, not present on other inputs cd etc, I use a separate phono stage into a line input. Any obvious culprits? The tonearm cable is grounded into the Graham slee.

[montesquieu]

Since I've had my Croft preamp I've noticed a sizeable buzz from my tonearm, not present on other inputs cd etc, I use a separate phono stage into a line input. Any obvious culprits? The tonearm cable is grounded into the Graham slee.

Assume the Jelco has an earth on the tonearm cable that is connected to the back of the Slee (it's not always needed and sometimes can make it worse) .. try disconnecting it. Failing that run an extra wire from the Jelco to the turntable. Phono cables can also be sensitive to position and can pick up noise if they run too near transformers so pay attention to the routing.

It's also just about possible (though unlikely) there's something wrong with either Croft or Slee. Could be worth trying the cartridge direct in to see it the issue is being introduced in the process of the extra connection.

[Mikeandvan]

Thanks I tried the Jelco straight into the Croft - same issue, so problem isn't with slee or croft.

[graham67]

Try moving the slee phono stage away from other equipment It could be picking up a hum from the croft transformer.

[montesquieu]

Try a passive with the Slee into the 909. It could be an issue with the arm cable.

Is the cartridge wired correctly?

[Ammonite Audio]

Since I've had my Croft preamp I've noticed a sizeable buzz from my tonearm, not present on other inputs cd etc, I use a separate phono stage into a line input. Any obvious culprits? The tonearm cable is grounded into the Graham slee.

Try a different tonearm cable

[Mikeandvan]

Try moving the slee phono stage away from other equipment It could be picking up a hum from the croft transformer.

same when plugged straight in to the croft, it has a phono stage.

[Mikeandvan]

Try a passive with the Slee into the 909. It could be an issue with the arm cable.

Is the cartridge wired correctly?

Yeh cart has been wired for about a year, only recently started buzzing. I'lll try with a passive.

[Mikeandvan]

Was thinking of getting a new tonearm cable anyway. Aren't Yannis Tome ones supposed to be good value? Don't want to spend more than a £100, preferably £50 - £75.

[Stryder5]

Was thinking of getting a new tonearm cable anyway. Aren't Yannis Tome ones supposed to be good value? Don't want to spend more than a £100, preferably £50 - £75.

I have a Yannis Tome cable that I no longer use, Linn type angled plug to KLEI RCA 's.

Let me know if it's of interest .

Gary

[Mikeandvan]

I have a Yannis Tome cable that I no longer use, Linn type angled plug to KLEI RCA 's.

Let me know if it's of interest .

Gary

needs to be straight plug thanks.

[Stryder5]

No problem!

Gary


needs to be straight plug thanks.

[Barry]

Does the Jelco arm lead have a separate wire connecting with the arm metalwork? It may have become detached.

Also check that the green and blue cartridge leads are fitted correctly - once I had a very mild hum problem with an Ortofon SL15E cartridge, until I discovered I had the green and blue headshell wires crossed.

[Mikeandvan]

Does the Jelco arm lead have a separate wire connecting with the arm metalwork? It may have become detached.

Also check that the green and blue cartridge leads are fitted correctly - once I had a very mild hum problem with an Ortofon SL15E cartridge, until I discovered I had the green and blue headshell wires crossed.

So that's where it goes!

[Mikeandvan]

Does the Jelco arm lead have a separate wire connecting with the arm metalwork? It may have become detached.

Also check that the green and blue cartridge leads are fitted correctly - once I had a very mild hum problem with an Ortofon SL15E cartridge, until I discovered I had the green and blue headshell wires crossed.

it was disconnected, I connected it, hum still exists.

[Ammonite Audio]

needs to be straight plug thanks.

The Zavfino 1877 COVE tonearm cable is by far the best inexpensive cable that I’ve heard, and is available with a straight plug, costing just £69.

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product/zavfino-1877phono-the-cove-tonearm-cable/

[graham67]

Was thinking of getting a new tonearm cable anyway. Aren't Yannis Tome ones supposed to be good value? Don't want to spend more than a £100, preferably £50 - £75.

If you cant find something second hand, have a chat to Yannis. To save costs, he made a flexible tonearm cable for me using a thinner Van Damme cable, Cardas connector and compact Switchcraft plugs. It works very well being very versatile as due to the flexible cable it can be used in both straight and right angled applications.

If you just need straight fitment, he can use a basic starquad or Belden 1800f which is not as bendable but works well for phono applications. These will come in at the bottom end of your budget. Yannis is also very helpful and a real gent to deal with.

[montesquieu]

The Zavfino 1877 COVE tonearm cable is by far the best inexpensive cable that I’ve heard, and is available with a straight plug, costing just £69.

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product/zavfino-1877phono-the-cove-tonearm-cable/

I would agree with this I did a brief write-up of these cables https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?64363-New-find-Zavfino-arm-cables

[Mikeandvan]

Very helpful replies as usual, thanks guys.

[Barry]

If you cant find something second hand, have a chat to Yannis. To save costs, he made a flexible tonearm cable for me using a thinner Van Damme cable, Cardas connector and compact Switchcraft plugs. It works very well being very versatile as due to the flexible cable it can be used in both straight and right angled applications.

If you just need straight fitment, he can use a basic starquad or Belden 1800f which is not as bendable but works well for phono applications. These will come in at the bottom end of your budget. Yannis is also very helpful and a real gent to deal with.

I use the Yannis cable shown in your thumbnail. Bought out of expediency, but if you have the skill and patience it is not difficult to wire up a mini-DIN socket to a couple of phono plugs of your choice.

[Barry]

it was disconnected, I connected it, hum still exists.

Did you check that connection was being made to the arm metalwork? The internal connection between the plug at the arm base and the arm itself may have become broken.

[Mikeandvan]

Did you check that connection was being made to the arm metalwork? The internal connection between the plug at the arm base and the arm itself may have become broken.

Yep.

[Mikeandvan]

Thanks to all, ordered the Zafino Mahone cable, most I've ever spent on a cable!

[Mikeandvan]

Just received the Zafino cable today, no time to listen yet, but the buzzing turned out to be the last tonearm cable - the earth was broken at the rca end.