Is my Technics turntable broken?

[DavidbC]

Hi, I've had a series of problems with my Hi-Fi and I find it difficult to fathom how so many things have gone so wrong...
I recently bought an Onkyo A9010 amp as my 25 year old Pioneer amp was no longer playing audio from the left side channel. Before this I replaced the speakers as I thought they had been fault, but I returned the new speakers when I realised the issue. I have also replaced the needle and cartridge on my turntable, which is a Technics SL-D202.

The problems I have now are:

a) After setting the tone arm weight and anti-skate, the record will play find until a certain point early in the record where it will loop and play over and over again.

b) There is a muffled crackle sound on bass notes.

I am hoping that my speakers and turntable are not broken as well, and as I have said, I do not understand how all these problems have happened almost at once. Any advice for how these issues can be tested and fixed would be much appreciated.

 

[Klipschhead302]

Hi, I've had a series of problems with my Hi-Fi and I find it difficult to fathom how so many things have gone so wrong...
I recently bought an Onkyo A9010 amp as my 25 year old Pioneer amp was no longer playing audio from the left side channel. Before this I replaced the speakers as I thought they had been fault, but I returned the new speakers when I realised the issue. I have also replaced the needle and cartridge on my turntable, which is a Technics SL-D202.

The problems I have now are:

a) After setting the tone arm weight and anti-skate, the record will play find until a certain point early in the record where it will loop and play over and over again.

b) There is a muffled crackle sound on bass notes.

I am hoping that my speakers and turntable are not broken as well, and as I have said, I do not understand how all these problems have happened almost at once. Any advice for how these issues can be tested and fixed would be much appreciated.

That turntable is an automatic, have you turned automatic off? Does the muffled crackling sound come only when playing records or does it also happen playing other things like CD, FM.. etc...

 

[DavidbC]

I'm afraid I don't know how to turn automatic off - there doesn't appear to be any switches to indicate this. The turntable is also the only input I have set up with the amp.

 

[Klipschhead302]

I'm afraid I don't know how to turn automatic off - there doesn't appear to be any switches to indicate this. The turntable is also the only input I have set up with the amp.

For the turntable, try manually placing the arm on the last song and see if it completes, if it tries to return back, the turntable is having issues. I do believe you can adjust the return, but I can't remember how.

Do you have the old amp still? If so, you can test each speaker on the right channel to rule them out. If the speakers check out, continue on.

So you have a different more reliable source, I would try hooking your phone (or iPod, or iPad etc...) to the input and play a few songs that way, this would require a 3.5 mini to RCA cable.

For example, like this, only a few bucks at your local Walmart or Radio Shack, play a few songs from it to determine if there is static. If so, your amp is faulty.

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP

 

[PENG]

Hi, I've had a series of problems with my Hi-Fi and I find it difficult to fathom how so many things have gone so wrong...
I recently bought an Onkyo A9010 amp as my 25 year old Pioneer amp was no longer playing audio from the left side channel. Before this I replaced the speakers as I thought they had been fault, but I returned the new speakers when I realised the issue. I have also replaced the needle and cartridge on my turntable, which is a Technics SL-D202.

The problems I have now are:

a) After setting the tone arm weight and anti-skate, the record will play find until a certain point early in the record where it will loop and play over and over again.

Have you tried another record? I know this a stupid question but I want to be sure because it happened to me before and the grooves on that particular album was the main cause. If that's the problem, heavier stylus pressure could improve it, but that's obviously not the right way other than just to prove the point. Also, the suggestion to test out the auto return is a good idea, have you done it yet?

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi, I've had a series of problems with my Hi-Fi and I find it difficult to fathom how so many things have gone so wrong...
I recently bought an Onkyo A9010 amp as my 25 year old Pioneer amp was no longer playing audio from the left side channel. Before this I replaced the speakers as I thought they had been fault, but I returned the new speakers when I realised the issue. I have also replaced the needle and cartridge on my turntable, which is a Technics SL-D202.

The problems I have now are:

a) After setting the tone arm weight and anti-skate, the record will play find until a certain point early in the record where it will loop and play over and over again.

b) There is a muffled crackle sound on bass notes.

I am hoping that my speakers and turntable are not broken as well, and as I have said, I do not understand how all these problems have happened almost at once. Any advice for how these issues can be tested and fixed would be much appreciated.

All Equipment needs maintenance over time. You are having trouble due to lack of TLC over the years. Turntables in particular need regular attention. They are not plug and play!

Hopefully you can solve your problem by adjusting the auto return adjusting screw. This is on the base of the arm.

The procedure is explained in your user manual.

If you have lost it you can register at the Vinyl Engine and download it. I did down load it, but the file is too large to attach here.

Basically your arm is returning too soon. Move the arm as close to the center spindle as you can. The adjustment screw will appear. Adjust in increments anti clockwise until the arm returns at the position you desire.

If this does not solve it, then your turntable will need service.

I personally hate automatic and semi automatic turntables. These mechanisms seem to invariably give trouble.

My fix is always to remove these awful auto return contraptions from the base of the arm and make the turntable fully manual. You get a better turntable that way as arm friction is massively lowered. The stylus in the groove has no business moving those linkages and switches designed by people who wandered in from the bicycle industry.

All good turntables are fully manual.

 

[DavidbC]

Thanks - I have tried several records and the same problem remains. I'm not sure the problem is that the arm is returning too soon. I should have explained better - by looping, I meant that it plays the same few seconds of the record over and over again. I will try and upload a video of the problem soon.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks - I have tried several records and the same problem remains. I'm not sure the problem is that the arm is returning too soon. I should have explained better - by looping, I meant that it plays the same few seconds of the record over and over again. I will try and upload a video of the problem soon.

In that case there is a problem. You will have to take the unit apart, and fix the problem, or else, do what I would do and convert the turntable to manual.

You can download a service manual on the Vinyl Engine. At this time I have not downloaded it, or looked at it.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have now downloaded and reviewed your service manual.

The design is a little unusual as the automatic mechanism is contained on one automatic mechanism plate.

There are no service instructions for this particular part of the turntable. So in event of failure I think the mechanism is designed to be replaced as a unit.

However on inspection you might be able to see what the problem is and possibly fix it.

The good news is that this automatic mechanism plate is easily removed to convert the turntable to fully manual operation.

If this is not a simple obvious problem on the auto mechanism plate, then your only reasonable option is to convert the turntable to manual operation by removing the auto mechanism plate. This will have the advantage of giving you a much improved turntable.

This is a service you should be able to accomplish if you download the service manual from Vinyl Engine and follow the instructions for the removal of the auto mechanism plate.

 

[DavidbC]

Hi, how do I remove the automatic mechanism? I cannot see this on the manual.
Could this problem be due to the fact that I installed the incorrect cartridge, or installed the cartridge incorrectly?

I have put 3 short videos that show the problems I am having on vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user47643827/videos

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi, how do I remove the automatic mechanism? I cannot see this on the manual.
Could this problem be due to the fact that I installed the incorrect cartridge, or installed the cartridge incorrectly?

I have put 3 short videos that show the problems I am having on vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user47643827/videos

OK now I see what the problem is. You have installed the cartridge incorrectly.

This cartridge is obviously not as tall as the old one. The arm is hitting the lift mechanism, so is only making proper contact with the groove at the high point of the warp and not the low.

You need to get a small light round bubble spirit level. Before doing any adjustments use this level to set the turntable perfectly level in all directions. The turntable is level when the bubble is right in the center of the circle. Now place the level on the headshell, but avoid the mounting screws. Now adjust the arm height at its base, so the bubble is level at least in the direction of the arm. Adjust the lateral balance also, but I'm not sure that is possible on that arm.

This may solve the problem, but if not then you need to adjust the lift mechanism. You need to set it at a lower point such that the stylus just nicely clears the record when the lift is in the up position

I have a picture of the type of spirit level you need.

You can see the round level behind the middle turntable, just to the right of the vintage Garrard stylus pressure gauge. This is the one with round black knob. The round spirit level is under the red stylus placement lever of the gauge.

 

[DavidbC]

Hi, thanks very much for this. I thought I would show you some photos of the cartridge, as it appears to me that the old and new one are the same size (please see attached). The new cartridge is the silver one and the old one is the black one that came with the turntable (although I bought the turntable second hand so no idea if this is the original).

Thinking back, the needle on the old cartridge was destroyed but the turntable itself worked well. So I am thinking that it could be easier to replace the needle on the old cartridge and reinstall this. The old cartridge is a Technics U25, and the needle is not on sale on amazon but I have found here:

http://www.stylusplus.co.uk/technics-u25-record-player-stylus-8182-p.asp

Please advise if this stylus would also work (as it would be easier to buy from Amazon): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thakker-EPS-Stylus-Technics-National/dp/B016ET3N8Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452543697&sr=8-1&keywords=technics+stylus ?

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi, thanks very much for this. I thought I would show you some photos of the cartridge, as it appears to me that the old and new one are the same size (please see attached). The new cartridge is the silver one and the old one is the black one that came with the turntable (although I bought the turntable second hand so no idea if this is the original).

Thinking back, the needle on the old cartridge was destroyed but the turntable itself worked well. So I am thinking that it could be easier to replace the needle on the old cartridge and reinstall this. The old cartridge is a Technics U25, and the needle is not on sale on amazon but I have found here:

http://www.stylusplus.co.uk/technics-u25-record-player-stylus-8182-p.asp

Please advise if this stylus would also work (as it would be easier to buy from Amazon): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thakker-EPS-Stylus-Technics-National/dp/B016ET3N8Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452543697&sr=8-1&keywords=technics+stylus ?

First of all that original cartridge you show is not the original. The replacement stylus you show is not the one for that cartridge.

All cartridges are different. When changing cartridges you have to do a turntable set up from scratch.

Your turntable can be made to work with the vast majority of cartridges and certainly the one you have bought, although this may not be the optimal cartridge. What is the new cartridge you have bought? A lot of the trouble helping you is because your information was far too sparse, especially that you did not divulge that your replacement cartridge was different from the old one.

Setting up a turntable correctly and in an obsessional manner is vital to prevent record wear, premature stylus wear and make the turntable sound its best. Improperly set up turntables sound awful

Now you absolutely have to have a bulls eye spirit level.

I recommend this one, that you can get on eBay.

You need to have an alignment protractor. This is essential to set the proper overhang for minimal tracking error. The best way to get one is to register with the Vinyl Engine. It is free. Once registered you can download an alignment protractor for free.

Now the height of your arm on the turntable is not adjustable at the base. This is a pity, but not insurmountable. It does mean that you will need a selection of cartridge spacers and a selection of aluminum or plastic mounting screws, washers and nuts. These may well have been included with your new cartridge. If so, I hope you kept them. If not you will need to purchase a selection.

You are not ready to set up your turntable until you have ALL of these items in your possession.

1). Perfectly level the turntable.

2). Now choose the best spacer or combination of spacers that levels the head shell when the stylus is lowered on the record. This will require putting the spirit level on the head shell.

3). If the turntable allows it, rotate the head shell on the arm to get the bubble right in the bulls eye of the level. A lot of arms do not allow for this, but should. This azimuth alignment is important.

4). Now take your alignment protractor and move the cartridge to and fro until the tracking error is set optimally. You place the stylus on the two marked dots in turn. You can make a small whole in these marked points with a pin so the stylus can protrude though the hole. You find the optimal position of the cartridge in the shell, such that the cartridge is perfectly parallel to the tangent lines on the protractor.

5). Now set the tracking force. I always recommend the maximum force recommended by the cartridge manufacturer. Do this by moving the counterweight to the point where the arm neither floats up or down. At this point put the scale mark to 0. Now turn the counterweight clockwise to the maximum recommended tracking force for the cartridge.

6). Now set the anti skating force control to correspond with the tracking force.

7). Now look at figure 17 and 18 of your user manual. With the arm cued in the up position, adjust the screw shown in figure 18 so that the stylus is 5 mm which is 3/16" above the record.

Your set up is now complete and you can enjoy your turntable.

If you feel you can not carry out this procedure, then you need to pay a professional to do it.

However in my experience, if this is a job you want done right, do it yourself.