Turntable woes

[rick r]

I've just upgraded my 15 year Yamaha to a new RX-V2600 and need advice
on hooking up my very old Technics SL-3200 turntable.
The Yammy manual says to either use a MM or high-output MC cartridge,
Or us an in-line boosting transformer or MC-head amplifier.
I must have a low output MC, because I don't get much sound. This setup
worked well with my old system.
Just looking for suggestions as for the best way to go.
Should I consider as well getting a new turntable? This one has served me well for so long.

 

[markw]

I can't access the manual 'cause I'm not a registered owner but bad news abd good news.

First, the bad news: I don't see where a phono input is mentioned anywhere in the literature.

Now, the good news: I DO see a "phono" input on the back of the unit. That's where it's plugged in, right? It won't work well in any other input.

 

[audiofox]

Please post more details: your old receiver/preamp and your cartridge brand and model.

 

[Resident Loser]

Did the...

...phono input of your older gear have a switch for MM/MC carts? If so, perhaps the switch was set for MC and used an internal pre-amp obviating the need for an external head amp...Most MC carts (as I recall) needed the additional gain as there were few whose output could match that of a typical MM cart.

Your TT is probably fine...If you do have a typically low-output MC cart all you'll need to do is: (a) get said head-amp (which can be an expensive proposition) or (b) opt for a newer MM cart...As your cart and stylus probably have more than a few hours of use on them, a new cart may be the way to go...particularly considering a replacemnt stylii accounts for most of a typical carts' cost...

jimHJJ(...the choice is yours...)

 

[rick r]

Thanks for the reply.
My old receiver, a Yamaha RX-550 didn't have a switch, so I guess I must have a low output MC. I have an Audio Technica AT3482P, which worked well with the old receiver without having to add anything else. Sounds like getting a new MM cartridge is the way to go.

 

[markw]

The Audio Technica AT3482P is a moving magnet cartridge, not a moving coil cartridge.

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=AT3482P&source=froogle

Actually, with a 5 mv output, it has a fairly high output level.

 

[sonoholic]

Same happened with me. The best option (buy new turntable, hook-up matching amp or high o/p cartridge) I had was to change the cartridge to a hight output.

 

[Resident Loser]

As...

Thanks for the reply.
My old receiver, a Yamaha RX-550 didn't have a switch, so I guess I must have a low output MC. I have an Audio Technica AT3482P, which worked well with the old receiver without having to add anything else. Sounds like getting a new MM cartridge is the way to go.

...markw points out, that cart should drive the new Yammies phono section without problem as it requires 3.5mV and the cart is spec'd @ 5.0mV...
Either the cart or connecting wiring has gone belly-up or the phono section of you new gear is DOA...

Not to beat a dead horse, you do have it connected to the inputs marked PHONO?...an awful lot of jacks back there, PHONO is the sixth set of inputs in the audio (only) field of connectors...no other jacks will provide the required boost or RIAA equalization...

jimHJJ(...it happens...)

P.S. You have it backwards...not having a switch is indicative of non-suitability for use with the lower-output MC-type cart...

 

[rick r]

Learned a lesson

Sorry to put everyone through the trouble, but it turns out that my cartridge just needed to be taken apart and put together again. I pulled off the leads, cleaned off the oxide and everything is good.
However, now that I'm hearing my records again with a new receiver and the addition of a subwoofer (HSU VTF-3), I'm wondering if a new turntable and/or cartridge would sound even better.

 

[MDS]

However, now that I'm hearing my records again with a new receiver and the addition of a subwoofer (HSU VTF-3), I'm wondering if a new turntable and/or cartridge would sound even better.

I am officially diagnosing you with a case of upgrade-itis. Beware because once it starts, there is no turning back...

 

[JoeE SP9]

Sorry to put everyone through the trouble, but it turns out that my cartridge just needed to be taken apart and put together again. I pulled off the leads, cleaned off the oxide and everything is good.
However, now that I'm hearing my records again with a new receiver and the addition of a subwoofer (HSU VTF-3), I'm wondering if a new turntable and/or cartridge would sound even better.

A new cartridge would definitely make a difference. The suspension components in them dry with age.

 

[audiofox]

A new cartridge would definitely make a difference. The suspension components in them dry with age.

Some of us that have owned turntables since last century have the same problem!