Technics SL-1700 outputting as mono - help

[Ltmajorburns]

Hi, I'm new here, hope someone might be able to help...

I've just got a technics SL-1700 turntable, with a Shure M75ED Type two cartridge, hooked up correctly to my stereo through a pre-amp. It's outputting in mono, and I can't seem to figure out why...

I've checked all the connections, and been able to rule out the speaker system, the amp, and the pre-amp, so it's definitely the actual turntable.

Any ideas how to fix this? Thanks in advance,

Tom

 

[markw]

If, as you say, you're absotively, posilutely sure the fault lies in the physical cartridge itself, then you have no alternative but to replace it.

But, I'd be danged sure there's no wiring errors in the arm itself. Disconnect the four wires from the cartridge pins and let 'em dangle without touching each other, get out your trusty VOM, and check the wires for shorts and continuity.

Make sure you respect the color code from the wires you disconnect.

Generally, it's:

Red = right hot
Green = right common
White - left hot
Black (or blue) = left common

Oh, there's also the possibility that the previous owner wired it for mono by jumpering the red/white terminals.

This, of course, assumes out any problems with the, phono, pre, or main amp.

[edit] Oh, you might find THIS helpful.

 

[cpp]

mark is right on point with this. My first guess would be a short in the tonearm wires. Check continuity from the headshell to board but check each circuit not only end to end but to each other wire as well, including ground. I would say if I had to guess, the red and green are shorted together.

http://es.shure.com/idc/groups/public/documents/webcontent/us_pro_m75edt2_ug_27a910(oh).pdf

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi, I'm new here, hope someone might be able to help...

I've just got a technics SL-1700 turntable, with a Shure M75ED Type two cartridge, hooked up correctly to my stereo through a pre-amp. It's outputting in mono, and I can't seem to figure out why...

I've checked all the connections, and been able to rule out the speaker system, the amp, and the pre-amp, so it's definitely the actual turntable.

Any ideas how to fix this? Thanks in advance,

Tom

The first think to do is check the wiring, with an ohm meter.

You MUST disconnect the wires at the back of the cartridge first.

Then make sure there is no connection between the live ends. Make sure none of the connectors touch each other after you remove them from the back of the cartridge. You put the meter between the hot pins of the two channels at the RCA plugs. There should be infinite resistance between those pins.

If there is a connection, you have to dismantle the turntable to find the rogue inter connection.

Then make sure that the correct parts of the RCA plugs, go to the correct connector at the head shell. There should be almost zero ohms between the appropriate connector and the relevant parts of the RCA plugs.

If everything is correct at the wiring, then the cartridge is faulty and needs to be replaced.

Of course make sure your preamp, or receiver, or whatever you are using is not set to mono, and you are playing stereo discs and not mono ones.