randomfortunepa Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 I went ahead and got a refurbished 3490, blue jeans stereo audio cable and speaker cables and was still just a tick under my budget of $400. Now I just need to find a couple speaker mount solutions, a cable to connect my laptop and or phone to the receiver and I'm set for a while. Thanks for everyone's help! I'll let you know how everything sounds once it is all hooked up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Good move on the Blue Jeans. Speaker mount? You could always build stands... As for iPhone/Computer... search for 1/8" to RCA or 3.5mm to RCA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuck Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 You did the right thing going with the 3490. I originally purchased the TX-8050 & returned it after less than a month because it sounded like shit. I bought the 3490 after that & love it. Just make sure you have a dedicated end table to hold the comedically large remote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomfortunepa Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 So I have heard haha I will just store it underneath the bed I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuck Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 As long as it's a queen or bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruckis Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I'm also going to get those bookshelf speakers at Newegg. At the moment they are $199.99 with free shipping. Does anyone have a promo code for Newegg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seamoney Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I bought those DefTech speakers at $180 after reading this thread and they are great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomfortunepa Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 The setup is finally complete - I just need to clean up the cables / storage area a bit but here is the gist of it: The tape player and radio sound great - but I am having problems with the turntable. Compared to my previous turntable, this one is very sensitive to my records and I hear a lot of static in the background. Did I not properly weight the tone arm? I tested the cart alignment and it seems fine, I also tested the anti skate on a blank side of an LP and it barely moves. Maybe I have too little downforce? The tone arm is also very spastic so I think that may be the root of this problem. Another problem I am experiencing is hum (which I heard is characteristic of the Carbon). When I use the stock stereo audio cables provided with the Carbon with the ground wire properly grounded I hear some static from the speakers and a light, low frequency hum. When I use the blue jeans stereo audio cables which are supposed to be grounded and supposed to eliminate this hum, the hum gets much louder and is a deep bass-y tone. Any suggestions on how to fix this? Is there interference coming from all the wires, is the radio antennae screwing with things or is the platter suspect? I spun a couple 45s last night + 1 LP and they sounded fine with exception to the hum / static / ultra-sensitive tone arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruckis Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I hear the hum as well but truthfully, it isn't very bad. Even with the Blue Jeans cables, I'm pretty sure it still needs to be grounded. At least that's what I did. Everything is more sensitive as well. It seems like this turntable picks up every little imperfection on the record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomfortunepa Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 Are you using blue jeans cables or the cable that came with the Carbon? I would have grounded them if they had extra external grounding wire. I think we both have poor tracking. I messed with the thing for a while and thought I had it right, but I guess not. If I remember correctly though I was experiencing some static in the speakers whether the record was playing or not. I will have to verify and mess around with everything again when I get home from work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 What are you grounding to? What's the rest of your equipment? Also check your cartridge connections. They could be crossed, touching, etc. make sure they're straight and not crushed. Make sure the cartridge ground is connected properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomfortunepa Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 I will check the cartridge when I get home. HK3490 receiver going to Def Tech 350 Studio Bookshelf Speakers via BJC Twelve Banana to Banana cables. Technics RS-TR212 cassette player and Pro-Ject Carbon both with BJC LC-1 Stereo Audio Cables w/ Techflex. The cables I am using are these: And they do not have a ground wire so I am not sure what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3arl Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 What you do is hook up a wire to that screw in between L and R. Then run that wire to a ground. If your receiver has a phono input then it more than likely has a place to ground as well (likely another screw). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Use the ground that came with the Pro-Ject... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomfortunepa Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 Sorry that was such a dumb question...I know what to do. Haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbrh2001 Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I hear the hum as well but truthfully, it isn't very bad. Even with the Blue Jeans cables, I'm pretty sure it still needs to be grounded. At least that's what I did. Everything is more sensitive as well. It seems like this turntable picks up every little imperfection on the record. Even while grounded there is a bit of the hum. If you have a dust cover, I recommend completely removing it off your TT when playing a record. If you don't want to do that, play your records with the lid closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomfortunepa Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 I got rid of the hum by using the grounding cables with my blue jeans cables. It hides it very well. I am working through the static issue now. There is a terrible static sound over the record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Check to see if your stylus is dirty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomfortunepa Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share Posted February 3, 2013 I cleaned it with a magic eraser even though it didn't appear to have anything wrong with it. At this point I have wired and rewired everything. Everything is properly grounded now and I have the anti-skate perfect and I am confident the tone arm has enough down force. Anyone have any links to proper cartridge alignment? I touched the wires on it a bit and got really clear sound for a few songs. But it seems like every time I have to touch the tone arm it alters things a bit. The cartridge is really sensitive to everything. I think the problem was as you initially said and they are no properly grounded or the wires are too close/touching and that is causing the static. I believe this because I hear the static every time my hand goes near the cart and also after I touch the wires slightly the static only comes out of the right speaker. I am not comfortable removing this cart as my previous one had the ability to spin off and was easier to maintain after I removed it from the head shell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3arl Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 That honestly sounds like you don't have it grounded correctly. Especially if you get increased hum when handling the tonearm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomfortunepa Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share Posted February 3, 2013 You mean the cartridge right? I dont get a hum just static. I attached the ground cables to both the pin on the turntable and the receiver and dont have a problem with any other component. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomfortunepa Posted February 4, 2013 Author Share Posted February 4, 2013 I unplugged and reconnected everything. I switched power strips. Re-calibrated the tone arm five times now with proper force according to the manual as well as proper anti-skate (the arm stays still on the blank side of the record). The tone arm came aligned perfectly and I have verified this with the protractor. I have cleaned the needle twice now with a magic eraser (and did not pull it from side to side). The stylus isn't worn out, because I haven't really played much of anything due to the static. I tried playing with and without the the dust cover. With it closed there is a little bit of an improvement, but not significant. Is there a way to verify that the needle isn't properly sitting in the groove? Should I bother removing the stylus and reconnecting the wires since they should already be in fine (none appear to be loose, but I could be wrong)? I am really at a loss and after spending all this money I just want to listen to my records again. There is definite static build up on the platter as when I remove LPs from it the slipmat comes off with it. I am thinking about picking up a Music Hall acrylic platter or a cork mat to solve this issue (any reason to get both? If not I will just pick up a new platter altogether). I can also hear static as soon as I place an LP on the platter or move my hand near the tone arm / touch it. The ground wires are attached properly to both the turntable and the receiver. I have re seated them multiple times. My last guess is that it is too dry in my apartment and I need a humidifier. It is winter time and I live on the 3rd floor in a city. I want to talk to someone from Pro-Ject Audio but it refers me to my retail outlet and I'm sure asking Insound for help will be useless. Any further input is greatly appreciated and thanks so much to everyone who has helped thus far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabpower Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 I have good electric and electronic knowledge and one thing that comes to my mind after reading your posts is that you might have a failing ground in your electric outlet. Get a good power bar/battery backup/voltage regulator to another outlet from another wall and try it again. If you do not have a voltage regulator and your electricity is unstable, it can cause so low noise if you pay very close attention. Some power bars have a ground indicator so check if you have one and if it tells you it's grounded. These are just thoughts I had for your problem but it might be something else... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomfortunepa Posted February 4, 2013 Author Share Posted February 4, 2013 It wouldn't be the first time I've had an outlet problem. The inside of my apartment is modernized but the building is very old and there is a lot of brick in my particular unit because of the closed off fireplace. That could very well be the cause. I will give it a shot when I get home tonight. I am going to see if I can find a power bar with a ground indicator at work. Thanks for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 I recommend TrippLite Isobars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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