Turntable help

[Phugoid]

Just picked up an old turntable (Sony PS-T33) to re-live some old vinyl. I was under the impression it would just plug straight into the phono section of my amp and et voila, but it doesn't seem to work! I have to turn the volume all the way up to the maximum to be able to hear something through the speakers. The amp itself is an old Audiolab 8000A which supposedly has an excellent phono stage, so I don't imagine I need a pre-amp or anything. I've been playing CDs through it for years with no problems. I even plugged the CD into the phono stage, and although distorted, it certainly gave me volume so I don't think the phono stage is knackered. I've tried both MM and MC inputs and both gave the same result (no sound through the speakers unless full blast).

Perhaps I have missed something stupid (I am a vinyl novice)?

[The_Burg]

1st thing i would check is that the headshell is fully plugged into the arm and that the little cables between cartridge and headshell are actually there and connected.

[Phugoid]

I'll take a look at that when I get back, cheers.

[telecat]

I believe the Audiolab has a switch to go between High output or Moving Magnet and Low Output or Moving Coil Cartridges. I'd check if it is in the correct position.

[Phugoid]

That's right yeah, and I've tried it in both configurations to no avail. Incidentally how do I tell if the cartridge is moving magnet or moving coil?

Cheers

C

[jet_noise]

Dear Phugoid,

you'll need to know the cartridge model number to be sure which type it is. I'd assume it is moving magnet until you find out otherwise as these are far more common.
However this seems to be a secondary issue at present.

I've got an Audiolab 8000A and it is superb and should work as you describe - plug and play
A thing to check first, as you know the amp. has two input select knobs, one for the amp. t'other for line out. Is the amp one (the left) pointing to phono?

Then, if your arm has it and as a previous poster has suggested dis and re-connect the headshell - my old Dual CS-505 would go o/c here due to corrosion after a very short time out of use so if your t/t has been stored esp. anywhere damp this is an obvious thing to do first.

If this doesn't work then step by step, somewhat crude but it should help narrow the possibilities:

Unplug your t/t, plug in any lead to the phono input to the amp. that has a connection you can touch and with the volume at no more than, say, 8 o'clock (certainly no higher as what you're about to do injects far more volts than a cartridge produces) touch the connector. Do you get a loud buzz?
This should confirm the phono stage is selected and working.

Now remove your test cable and plug in the t/t. Can you touch the connections to the back of the cartridge? Even better if the cartridge/headshell is disconnected? Again you're listening for a loud buzz. This should confirm the cabling from arm to amp.

regards,
Jet

EFA OP's name spelling, so rude

Edited by jet_noise on Wednesday 27th May 15:30

[Phugoid]

jet_noise said:

Dear Phugoid,

you'll need to know the cartridge model number to be sure which type it is. I'd assume it is moving magnet until you find out otherwise as these are far more common.
However this seems to be a secondary issue at present.

I've got an Audiolab 8000A and it is superb and should work as you describe - plug and play
A thing to check first, as you know the amp. has two input select knobs, one for the amp. t'other for line out. Is the amp one (the left) pointing to phono?

Then, if your arm has it and as a previous poster has suggested dis and re-connect the headshell - my old Dual CS-505 would go o/c here due to corrosion after a very short time out of use so if your t/t has been stored esp. anywhere damp this is an obvious thing to do first.

If this doesn't work then step by step, somewhat crude but it should help narrow the possibilities:

Unplug your t/t, plug in any lead to the phono input to the amp. that has a connection you can touch and with the volume at no more than, say, 8 o'clock (certainly no higher as what you're about to do injects far more volts than a cartridge produces) touch the connector. Do you get a loud buzz?
This should confirm the phono stage is selected and working.

Now remove your test cable and plug in the t/t. Can you touch the connections to the back of the cartridge? Even better if the cartridge/headshell is disconnected? Again you're listening for a loud buzz. This should confirm the cabling from arm to amp.

regards,
Jet

EFA OP's name spelling, so rude

Edited by jet_noise on Wednesday 27th May 15:30

Jet,

I've tried plugging a cable into the phono input. There is no loud buzzing when I touch it at 8 o'clock or below, only fairly loud audible crackling but I have to turn the volume up way past 8 for that....

Is that the phone stage goosed then?

Cheers
Chris

[jet_noise]

Dear Phugoid,

sounds that way, I've just checked with mine and it buzzes loudly. You need to touch the signal part of the connection without touching any ground. I happened to use a phono - 3.5mm stereo jack cable and touching the tip or ring and buzzzz,

regards,
Jet

[P700DEE]

The output of a CD player is about 2volts, a MM cartridge about 2mV (1000 fold less) and a MC about 0.2mV 10000 less. Running a CD player into a phono input should have given huge volume and lots of distortion, not a good idea. Has the amp been modified at all ? Could the phono stage have been removed by someone who did not have a turntable ?

[Phugoid]

Nope, don't think it's ever been modified. There is some sound through the speaker at pretty much full blast so it must be working in some capacity? Also I've read about a ground wire and there is a grounding post next to the phono inputs. However there is no grounding wire from the turntable.

Just got Louder than Bombs by The Smiths through on LP too, it's aching to be played!