Turntable Problem--Can't Figure Out a Solution

[PacMan3000]

Hey guys--I've been having an issue and have been trying to figure it out for a week or two, but cannot diagnose or fix it. My turntable and record playing has been perfectly fine for the past two years--until two weeks ago when this issue popped up. Any help would be great. 

WHAT I HAVE

I have the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, a Marantz PM5004 integrated amp, and a Schitt Mani phono stage. I also have a Schitt MODI DAC for streaming music, as well.

THE PROBLEM

I’ve had the Pro-Ject over two years. But two weeks ago, when getting ready to play a record, I turned the volume up about 25-30% and I could hear something that sounded like white noise (think “Poltergeist”)—with a bit of a very faint hum noise being heard, too. The white noise/hiss was far more prominent and fairly loud, actually.

I also have my computer plugged into a Schitt MODI, and this DAC is plugged into the Marantz amp (this is to play streaming music through the “CD” input). When I switch the input to CD, there’s absolutely no white noise. Switch back to AUX input for my Pro-Ject turntable—white noise is back.

I have a complete list of all the trouble shooting things I've tried to do to fix it. I can post it all later if anyone thinks it will be helpful--I just didn't want this first post to be too long. 

But, in short, I've tried everything from unplugging everything and plugging it back in, to just unplugging the turntable, to switching out the turntable with an older table I have, to switching amps, to directly connecting the turntable to the amp and by passing the Schitt Mani phono stage, etc...still haven't diagnosed the problem and I'm running out of ideas, unfortunately.

If anyone has any thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

[Tardcore]

if you have swapped turntables, preamps, inputs, and are only getting the issue when playing vinyl...it could be a power issue.  have you tried connecting the whole thing into plugs in a different part of your home? (fun, I know)

[PacMan3000]

I was sort of thinking the same thing.  I actually did go downstairs, hooked up a separate turntable, second amplifier, used the same phono stage, used different speakers and speaker wire, and had the same problem.  Disconnected the separate phono stage, connected the turntable directly to the amp's phono stage, and while I had to turn up the volume louder, the issue was still there.

 

I might try one or two other places in the home tonight, just to be sure.  But this is very strange--I'm not sure what would have changed or happened to have caused this issue if it is, as you suggest, a power issue.

[Tardcore]

A lot of shit can cause issues like that.  New cell tower in the neighborhood?  

 

Some people swear by plugging in to a high quality power strip like a Tripplite.

[PacMan3000]

Thanks Tardcore.  I think I may have at least diagnosed the problem, although I have no solution yet.

 

But I ended up getting some Mogami cables.  Plugged them from the turntable to the Schitt Mani phono stage, with some more ordinary RCA cables going out of the Mani and into the amp.  Turn it all on and what do I hear?  The local FM radio music station.  Playing Puff Daddy's "I'll Be Missing You."  It was surrounded by the same white noise/static and a bit of a hum, but it was the radio station.  Even heard the DJ and some commercials. 

 

Then, I started moving the Mani around.  When I moved it closer to the amp and turntable, I would hear buzzing.  Moved it away, and would hear less buzzing. Sometimes, the radio would even come in slightly better.  Then, I started slowly moving around the wires connected into the Mani.  Moved them around a little bit--less static and buzzing. Moved them around a little more, got more static and buzzing.  So it's sort of a trial and error thing.

 

So I don't know--at least maybe I've made some progress? Just not sure how I go about getting rid of this issue, or whether new equipment entirely needs to be purchased.

[vinyl addict]

On 2/17/2017 at 8:51 PM, PacMan3000 said:

Thanks Tardcore.  I think I may have at least diagnosed the problem, although I have no solution yet.

 

But I ended up getting some Mogami cables.  Plugged them from the turntable to the Schitt Mani phono stage, with some more ordinary RCA cables going out of the Mani and into the amp.  Turn it all on and what do I hear?  The local FM radio music station.  Playing Puff Daddy's "I'll Be Missing You."  It was surrounded by the same white noise/static and a bit of a hum, but it was the radio station.  Even heard the DJ and some commercials. 

 

Then, I started moving the Mani around.  When I moved it closer to the amp and turntable, I would hear buzzing.  Moved it away, and would hear less buzzing. Sometimes, the radio would even come in slightly better.  Then, I started slowly moving around the wires connected into the Mani.  Moved them around a little bit--less static and buzzing. Moved them around a little more, got more static and buzzing.  So it's sort of a trial and error thing.

 

So I don't know--at least maybe I've made some progress? Just not sure how I go about getting rid of this issue, or whether new equipment entirely needs to be purchased.

I had the same issues you are reporting when I bought a Schitt Mani.

I could very clearly pickup a local radio station with the Mani. I mean, it would come in crystal clear, better than using an antenna.

As soon as I swapped in my old preamp, the issue went away. I exchanged the Mani for a second one and had the same issue again. People swear by their products, but not me. I was turned off after that issue twice.

I ended up biting the bullet and bought a Lounge preamp and am now smiling ear to ear. It's one of the best purchases I have made.