DIY Audio Projects Forum

I think I have a noise from my turntable. without the groovewatt connected system is silent. If I hook up the outputs on groovewatt and leave inputs unplugged remains quiet, just very faint white noise on high volume.
When I then plug in the inputs from TT I get a loud buzz that is audible even with turntable turned off and then unplugged.
Turntable is a Rega Planar 2 with Carbon cartridge. I have seen other online post of this player being noisy. I think I may just get a different TT as I have already spent way too much time trying to figure out how to make this table quiet with my current system. System sounds like a dream with digital input. At my prior home I had TT isolated and on feet, granite countertop, was much quieter but still not ideal. Any suggestions for a good player under $1K that is likely to make a better choice or a possible fix for current player?
Thanks

Just a follow up. I moved TT 5 ft from rest of my system and still have a mild buzz but is not audible with music playing at low volume. Totally acceptable for me. I think I just need to work on placement and damping of my table as you pointed out.

Hi, It sounds like you have some grounding issue now with the turntable. If it has an external ground connection are you running a wire from it to the Groovewatt? Also check to see if the right channel ground lead from the cartridge is connected to the external ground if there is that wire. Lots of cartridges (usually a green marking on the right ground terminal) have a ground tab that connects to the chassis ground. There is not much you can do in that case. But some turntables internally connect that channel to the ground as well to simplify the connection to phono preamps. Unfortunately it sometimes does just the opposite of what is intended. If there is no external ground wire you might consider adding one that attaches to the chassis of the turntable and attach the other end to the Groovewatts ground terminal.

Good listening
Bruce

_________________
Some of my DIY Tube Amplifier Projects:

• PoddWatt: 5751 / EL84 Push-Pull DIY Tube Amplifier Project
• OddBlocks: KT88 Push-Pull DIY Tube Amplifiers (Mono Blocks)
• ForeWatt: ECC802S (12AU7 / ECC82) DIY Tube Preamplifier Project
• GrooveWatt: Tube (Valve) RIAA Phono Preamplifier Project

Table does not have a ground but few months back I added one. I placed a ground to chassis and ran it to Groovewatt, helped quite a bit. I even experimented with hooking to cartridge ground but didn't help any further than chassis ground.
Thanks

Hi all - built the Groovewatt almost 2 years ago (see my posts on forum page 55). Still sounding great btw.

Figured I'd share...

Being a nerd I like to test/adjust my audio systems. Thru much trial and error I've found ease and great results in using pink noise and TrueRTA software. I use pink noise as input, adjust EQ to obtain flat frequency response, then further adjust EQ accordingly to my personal liking.

Since phono preamp corrects for RIAA curve and I'm definitely amateur I've never tested my build for frequency response like Bruce has previously mentioned...well, came across an old CBS labs pink noise vinyl (STR 140). Still much testing to do on overall system but just from turntable output to Groovewatt output looks pretty good.

In pic, both channels shown. Lower curves are turntable output and upper curves are Groovewatt output. Some rolloff at higher frequencies but no peaks/dips. Future plan is to put a graphic EQ between Groovewatt and my antique cabinet to further adjust to my liking. To be clear, no complaints from the Groovewatt, just like to have adjustability in setups and the antique cabinet only has treble/bass adjustment and I'm itching for more...maybe one day I'll build a full tube system but I dig the old stuff...and hey, still sounds good to me.

Todd

Hi

I have a200v 50mA transformer that I would like to use for a Groovewatt. However its filament output is only 6.3v 1.5A CT compared to 8v from the Edcor XPWR083. Will it be okay to use? If so are any mods required to the 2016 circuit?

Thanks

Rog

IMHO, even the specified XPWR083 is not enough. I know that Bruce stated many times that Edcor makes more powerful transformers than writes in datasheets. But I wouldn't extend that confidence to all transformers.

Hi, Yeah I hear you Poty and would normally agree, however the 083 works fine and has been used in many builds. It is going into the commercial phono preamps (shortly available). I have several personal ones set up for long term use and with over 6 years on them there have been no issues. Now the one the poster has may not be enough.. For one the 6 volt winding will not give enough head room to use a DC regulator to get the required heater power. Generally I trust Edcor, others...up for grabs.

Good listening
Bruce

_________________
Some of my DIY Tube Amplifier Projects:

• PoddWatt: 5751 / EL84 Push-Pull DIY Tube Amplifier Project
• OddBlocks: KT88 Push-Pull DIY Tube Amplifiers (Mono Blocks)
• ForeWatt: ECC802S (12AU7 / ECC82) DIY Tube Preamplifier Project
• GrooveWatt: Tube (Valve) RIAA Phono Preamplifier Project