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You guys sound pretty knowledgeable, so I thought I as a novice turntable owner could ask your help with my turntable problem. I have a Technics SL-BD22 with a audiotechnica AT91E cartridge. My turntable is hooked up to my technics amp, which has phono inputs. It's played well for 2 years, but recently the sound started sounding hollow, then all of a sudden it changed and now it sounds like the music is coming from the end of a long tunnel, and very faint. The pops and crackles from the turntable are, however, regular volume! I bought a new needle cartridge but no change. Any ideas?
Excuse if this is too simple but do you clean the needle regularly? Is this sound coming from both speakers? Do you have another Reciever you could try the turntable with? Have you changed the position or location of the Turntable recently? These questions should help to solve the mystery. Let us know and we can proceed from there. J.R. (What record were you playing?)
Try to isolate your problem with a process of elimination. First, swap the entire turntable with another, if that's possible. This will let you know if the problem is in the turntable or the (pre)amp. If the problem is the turntable, then swap the cartridge. If the problem persists, then your wires may have moved back and forth somewhere and opened up. Or maybe a connection has oxidized.
I Have heard that sound resulting from a dirty stylus. I would try cleaning first. Then make sure the table has not been moved or shifted unknowingly and caused severe unbalance. Then the stylus pressure or tracking force, set it correctly and make sure it is right. Then follow up with standard troubleshooting practice. Wayne is correct except I would try the simple things first.
I agree. It's a very good idea to check for a dirty needle first. Maybe it has a ball of grease or dirt surrounding it.
Thanks guys! I'll try what you've suggested and get back to you!