# Phono turntable question - static noise **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [April 28, 2024, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864 "2024-04-28T13:35:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/1 "2024-04-28T13:35:06Z")
In firing up my vintage Pioneer turntable I find that there is an unpleasant static/fuzz sound coming from the speakers. It is originating from one of the components, not the record itself. The static occurs intermittently and seemingly randomly, and just touching my finger to the stylus can produce it. My prime suspect is the cartridge, which is the original from the late 1970s. The receiver is newer, with no phono input, so the turntable is connected to a (cheap) pre-amp that I bought maybe ten years ago. So my thoughts, in order, are: - Replace the cartridge - Replace the pre-amp - Replace the speaker wires (probably a longshot as to this being the issue) - ??? Any thoughts, audiophiles? Thanks! mmm ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/2 "2024-04-28T13:37:14Z")
How’s grounding among the components? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/3 "2024-04-28T13:39:26Z")
Oxidized wire/cable connections … somewhere?? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/4 "2024-04-28T13:41:04Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > How’s grounding among the components? Good question. I know the turntable has a grounding wire, not sure if it’s connected to anything. I will check. > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Oxidized wire/cable connections … somewhere?? I hadn’t thought of the cables, I’ll add that to the list. mmm ---
**Author:** ![kwintenstraler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kwintenstraler/32/10698_2.png) [@kwintenstraler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kwintenstraler)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/5 "2024-04-28T13:41:41Z")
Fwiw I’ve noticed the greatest noice reduction when changing my pre-amp. Far more than the change of my cartridge. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/6 "2024-04-28T14:11:27Z")
Unlikely to be the cartridge. Touching things tends to couple electrical interference to them from your body. When this happens it is often a symptom of poor grounding somewhere or an issue with continuity of ground. A static/fuzz noise can be symptom of a number problems. It can arise from the system picking up radio frequency interference. Well designed systems should have adequate protection, but the modern world fills everywhere with RF energy, so it can be a problem. But, if it were my system, I would start by ensuring that all the connections were good, and that there is a known good ground - something that can’t be taken for granted. Grounding issues and fixing them has been the biggest culprit in my experience of chasing such problems. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/7 "2024-04-28T14:14:36Z")
> [@Francis\_Vaughan](#): > > _I would start by ensuring that all the connections were good, and that there is a known good ground_ That would be the first thing I would check. Also, if the components are plugged into a power strip, that could be a source of noise. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/8 "2024-04-28T14:19:04Z")
> [@Francis\_Vaughan](#): > > that there is a known good ground - something that can’t be taken for granted. Grounding issues and fixing them has been the biggest culprit in my experience of chasing such problems. OK, turns out the ground wire was just lying on the ground (so, technically, _grounded_ I guess). But wait, there is no ground screw on the back of my receiver. How can I ground it in this case? **ETA: Can I attach the turntable’s ground lead to the metal chassis of the pre-amp? Would that work?** > [@XOldiesJock](#): > > if the components are plugged into a power strip, that could be a source of noise. They are plugged into a power strip. I’ll leave that for plan B for now as the lack of grounding seems very likely to be the problem. Also, I’m finding that my sound quality really sucks - would/could this be a cartridge issue? Recall, my cartridge is probably 50 years old. Thanks to all, mmm ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/9 "2024-04-28T14:34:40Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > ETA: Can I attach the turntable’s ground lead to the metal chassis of the pre-amp? Would that work? Very likely. Try it and see. The question becomes - what grounds the rest of the system? A problem with some gear is that nothing is grounded. The goal is generally to have everything go to a common ground. This is often difficult. But if you turntable has a ground lead and it is just floating about - you potentially have a problem. The manner in which the pre-amp is powered may matter. Whether it has mains power or a wall wart. Ground may come eventually via the interconnection lead from the main amp. Hopefully something has a real ground. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Also, I’m finding that my sound quality really sucks - would/could this be a cartridge issue? Recall, my cartridge is probably 50 years old. Possible. The rubber suspension in cartridges can fail. Depends what “really sucks” sounds like. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/10 "2024-04-28T14:41:04Z")
The cartridge should have a ground connection. Pull off all the wires, and clean the pins on the cartridge, then put all the connectors back on, making sure they are all snug. Twist a bit as you put them back on. There should also be a ground wire on the turntable. Make sure it’s connected to the ground connection on your preamp. Also, make sure all the phono connections (the worst connector ever invented) are making good contact. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/11 "2024-04-28T15:04:01Z")
OK, I have attached the phono ground wire to the pre-amp chassis and that seems to have corrected Problem One. Now I have to figure how to make the music sound better. It is hard to explain, but I guess I would say that it sounds muffled - not clear or crisp - and maybe a bit crackly. It is not horrible, but it is just short of listenable. There is a CD player attached to the system, I fired that up as well. The sound is extremely faint and static-y, much worse than the turntable. I was curious how that would sound. Anyway, I don’t have time to mess with it now, I will check back in when I do. mmm ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/12 "2024-04-28T15:11:21Z")
Cartridges go bad over time - the elastomers that hold the needle arm (cantilever) in place can degrade and become stiff and brittle. What is the make and model of the cartridge? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/13 "2024-04-28T15:15:26Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > What is the make and model of the cartridge? It is a Shure, came with the (Pioneer) turntable. I am not near it now and don’t have the model #. mmm ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/14 "2024-04-28T15:16:26Z")
It’s probably 40 years old. Which means it is at least do for a new stylus, if you can find one. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/15 "2024-04-28T16:59:45Z")
Daft question … have you cleaned the fluff off the cartridge’s needle/stylus ? Fluff will cause a muffled sound. > **[How to clean your turntable's stylus](https://uturnaudio.com/pages/how-to-clean-your-stylus)** > > Vinyl may be known for pops and hisses, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Surface noise is almost always preventable. Step 1 is to make sure that your records are clean before playing. We strongly recommend cleaning your records with a simple... ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/16 "2024-04-28T17:05:56Z")
I had a problem with my turntable though I don’t remember what it was, whether it was static noise or one of the channels being faint, but I fixed it by removing the cartridge and reinstalling it. Just as another thing to try. The current coming out of a magnetic cartridge as I’m sure you know is miniscule, so excellent electrical contact is crucial. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/17 "2024-04-28T19:12:01Z")
I don’t think it’s a ground-ground problem but an interconnection problem. In other words, they need to be properly connected to each other (in the way we call grounding for audiio) but not necessarily to earth. So don’t bother tracking down copper rods or water pipes. Clean and burnish all of the contacts: cartridge, audio, even the speakers while you’re back there. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/18 "2024-04-28T20:36:28Z")
I did clean the cartridge and stylus of fuzz, also disconnected and re-attached the cartridge. I have not cleaned all of the contact points, audio, speakers, etc. Tomorrow I will have time to mess around with it more. mmm ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/19 "2024-04-28T21:32:37Z")
Bopping around on a few websites, I’ll recommend this how-to for cleaning connections: > **[HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SYSTEM FOR FREE (Almost!) | Galen Carol Audio | Galen...](https://www.gcaudio.com/tips-tricks/how-to-improve-your-system-for-free-almost/)** > > A great system tweak Obviously, pick and choose how much you want to do and how far you want to go, but I like the recommendations for the gear you might consider using – neither difficult to obtain nor particularly expensive, and likely to keep you _out of_ trouble that one could easily get into by inadvertently using the wrong products. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2024, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864/20 "2024-04-29T01:35:38Z")
Wow, thanks @DavidNRockies. All these years and I didn’t even know that cleaning your connections was a thing. The article says to do it at least twice yearly. It also suggests that improvement in sound quality will be quite noticeable. Let’s just say I’ll believe it when I hear it. 🙂 mmm [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phono-turntable-question-static-noise/1000864.md?page=2)