playing vinyl turntable ?

[alainguitars]

I've had my record collection since the 60's I decided to upgrade to a good quality turntable and needle last year so I could play my vinyl again. Problem is I'm hearing a lot of distortion on most songs. Not in the vocals but in the background instruments, bass, guitar etc.. Is it possible that something is out of phase in the wiring of my speakers? Doesn't happen when I play a CD. I've tried different albums to make sure it's not due to an old scratched album and it seems to always be present? Any advice appreciated.

[forestryguy]

Your cartridge type may be a bad match for your preamp. There is more than one standard type.

[Shnook]

Have you cleaned your records with a quality record cleaning system/solution? A carbon brush?

Also, a stylus that is misaligned will cause distortion like you hearing too.

[alainguitars]

I do use a cleaner. How do you align a cartridge? Do I just pull it out and reseat it?

Thanks

[Ken Ho]

Are you running a pre-amp ??

[Brion]

I do use a cleaner. How do you align a cartridge? Do I just pull it out and reseat it?

Thanks
look up the make and model of your turntable online. You may be able to find templates to make sure that your tonearm is positioned properly. This may be what is causing the distortion. Obviously your reciever has a phone preamp built in or you are running a separate phono preamp. Not all recievers these days are capable of reproducing the turntable's sound.

[alainguitars]

It's a music hall turntable, the receiver is an older yamaha. While reseating the cartridge I just noticed that I'm picking up static even when no record is playing. That probably accounts for the distortion I'm hearing. I'll go look up the cartridge I have.

[alainguitars]

It's an Ortofon cartridge. Maybe I got the color code wrong when setting it up?

[Shnook]

Have you checked out an audiophile forum like Audio Asylum? I picked up a ton of useful info from hanging out over there. I'd throw out a guess that it has something to do with your stylus/cartridge/wiring.

[theRocco]

Interesting that you say there isn't the distortion in the vocals, just the instruments.

BTW, is there a ground wire on your turntable that you connected to the screw on amp/receiver?

[alainguitars]

There is a ground wire that I connected. I'll double check the connection, because I do get static when it's turned on. Just checked the wiring to the stylus and everything is correct. Could it be the poor wiring in my house? Amps have always had an issue also. Tone changes day to day.

[theRocco]

And it doesn't happen playing CDs, everything connected to same speakers? If so, I guess that rules out a phasing issue with the speaker cables. And if no dirt on needle, then it probably is alignment of the cartridge.

You could try contacting Music Hall for advise on cartridge mounting (but the table and cartridge probably came with that info) or post your question at www.audiokarma.org a great site for new and vintage audio gear.

[alainguitars]

Thanks for the help and the link. I'll give it a try.

[theRocco]

Your welcome. Here's a thread about distortion from that site:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202173&highlight=distortion

[brooksrocco]

Perhaps both your table AND receiver have preamps running at the same time?

That's what caused the harsh distortion on my friends table the other day.

[Tone_Terrific]

There was a time when playing records more than once/day, they could mostly recover from that, was considered to be injuring the delicate structure of the grooves. Are you playing worn discs? Have you tried a known fresh one? Just checkin'.

[alainguitars]

theROCCO,

Thanks for the link you posted. I readjusted the arm and skid features and everything is playing well now. Some of my worn records still still a little worn, but rarely played records don't have any distortion. I finally got to hear my Jesse Ed Davis album again.

Thanks to all

Alain

[theRocco]

That's great news, Alain, glad that info helped!

Cleaning the records helps to maintain them as well, and using that little brush to clean the stylus and static brush (if outfitted with one).

Speaking of Vinyl, on New Year's day I played a bunch of old LPs to celebrate the day and new year--it was great fun! Everything from old prog like Yes, Genesis, King Crimson to T Rex, Beatles, Neal Young--even some old Stereolab made in onto the turntable.

[Gretsch6136]

The best way to get your records microscopically clean (on a budget) is to do the following (trust me I've been collecting all my life and done oodles of research):

Find an old junker turntable to use as a cleaning station. Doesn't matter if it works or not - you won't be plugging it in. Just make sure its record mat is well cleaned.

Get your household vaccuum cleaner and make a soft collar/sleeve to attach to the end of the suction hose. Soft foam covered in velvet is a good choice (basically use something that won't mark the record's surface).

Go to your hardware/appliance store and buy a hand held steam cleaner - a popular one for this purpose is the Shark brand, but mine is a Pirhanna.

Also buy some good record cleaner (AM from Dennmark is my recommendation), a record cleaning foam pad to use with the record cleaner, and some new microfibre towels.

If you can find one, get an anti-static gun too.

Basically you first vaccuum the record all over, label included. Don't worry, the velvet collar on the hose nozzle protects the record from any scratches.

Next you spin the record and apply steam all over the grooves. I generally work the steamer from the outside to the inside and back again. I do this in both directions and also angle the steamer so I hit both sides of the grooves. Start about 5-6 inches off the surface of the record and move closer as you get comfortable with the particular steamer you are using. Don't get too close though as the heat can cause a warp. Funny thing is though, any deformation of the record caused by too much steam/heat returns to normal once it cools down - go figure!

Repeat as many times as you feel is necessary and wipe off the excess water with a microfibre cloth. Then spray with record cleaner, spread it over the record with the cleaning pad and finally polish with a clean microfibre towel.

The record will be cleaner than its ever been, including when it was new. Many new records were gummed up with excess mold release compound from the pressing plant!

The record will have built up a lot of static electricity during the cleaning process, so a shot with the anti-static gun will be a good thing. However, you can always hold the record in one hand and touch a kitchen tap with the other. This will send the static to ground through your body!

This method works so well because you are removing 90% of debris from deep in the grooves with the first vaccuum. The steam then gets right down into the grooves and loosens the baked on stuff and mould spores etc and brings it all to the surface. The microfibre towels are fantastic at picking all this stuff up with their tiny fibres.

If you still experience click and pops and distortion, you are likely to have groove damage from previous plays in a dirty condition or with a damaged/worn/mis-aligned stylus.

The sonic improvements of this process are not subtle. For many records its the difference between listening to a radio station slightly de-tuned versus being right on the frequency.

Cheers,

Mark

[Gretsch6136]

Oh, Forgot to mention......

Its wise to invest in new sleeves for the records too. No sense putting a clean record back in dirty sleeve now is there! The best ones are the rice paper sleeves but they can get expensive if you have a big collection.

Cheers,

Mark

[Goldie295]

The best way to get your records microscopically clean (on a budget) is to do the following (trust me I've been collecting all my life and done oodles of research):

Find an old junker turntable to use as a cleaning station. Doesn't matter if it works or not - you won't be plugging it in. Just make sure its record mat is well cleaned.

Get your household vaccuum cleaner and make a soft collar/sleeve to attach to the end of the suction hose. Soft foam covered in velvet is a good choice (basically use something that won't mark the record's surface).

Go to your hardware/appliance store and buy a hand held steam cleaner - a popular one for this purpose is the Shark brand, but mine is a Pirhanna.

Also buy some good record cleaner (AM from Dennmark is my recommendation), a record cleaning foam pad to use with the record cleaner, and some new microfibre towels.

If you can find one, get an anti-static gun too.

Basically you first vaccuum the record all over, label included. Don't worry, the velvet collar on the hose nozzle protects the record from any scratches.

Next you spin the record and apply steam all over the grooves. I generally work the steamer from the outside to the inside and back again. I do this in both directions and also angle the steamer so I hit both sides of the grooves. Start about 5-6 inches off the surface of the record and move closer as you get comfortable with the particular steamer you are using. Don't get too close though as the heat can cause a warp. Funny thing is though, any deformation of the record caused by too much steam/heat returns to normal once it cools down - go figure!

Repeat as many times as you feel is necessary and wipe off the excess water with a microfibre cloth. Then spray with record cleaner, spread it over the record with the cleaning pad and finally polish with a clean microfibre towel.

The record will be cleaner than its ever been, including when it was new. Many new records were gummed up with excess mold release compound from the pressing plant!

The record will have built up a lot of static electricity during the cleaning process, so a shot with the anti-static gun will be a good thing. However, you can always hold the record in one hand and touch a kitchen tap with the other. This will send the static to ground through your body!

This method works so well because you are removing 90% of debris from deep in the grooves with the first vaccuum. The steam then gets right down into the grooves and loosens the baked on stuff and mould spores etc and brings it all to the surface. The microfibre towels are fantastic at picking all this stuff up with their tiny fibres.

If you still experience click and pops and distortion, you are likely to have groove damage from previous plays in a dirty condition or with a damaged/worn/mis-aligned stylus.

The sonic improvements of this process are not subtle. For many records its the difference between listening to a radio station slightly de-tuned versus being right on the frequency.

Cheers,

Mark

Now I remember why they invented the compact disk :hide

:rotflmao

[Tone_Terrific]

The best way to get your records microscopically clean .....

Cheers,

Mark

Interesting how-to for those who don't use quarters taped to the tonearm for improved tracking:AOK:D

[Gretsch6136]

Goldie,

I hear you on the convenience of CD. The cleaning method outlined above is pretty much a one time deal for each record. Do it once properly, then you'll never need to do it again provided you care for your records correctly thereafter.

This cleaning routine is essential if playing old records with an unknown history. Most vinyl people are buying these days is second hand, so it makes sense to clean it properly before dropping your stylus onto it. Betetr sound and extended stylus life are worth the effort in my book.

The humble vinyl LP is now 61 years old. The CD is only 27. It will be interesting to see if people can still use old CD's in 35-40 years from now! I've heard stories of corrosion etc starting to develop on the early editions already.

Cheers,

Mark

[DANOCASTER]

dont play old dirty records

keep the newer / better ones clean

invest in a Nitty Gritty cleaning machine. It has made some nasty records sound great !

[Gretsch6136]

True, Nitty Gritty will do the job - for about 10 - 20 times the price of my method! Only difference is the Nitty Gritty is a wet vac system and much more convenient to use. It may be a bit better, but remember I said my method was for those on a budget!