Not my first post here but the first one since re-joining.
Yesterday I turned the volume knob of my Nait up to 9.30am on the phono input (normally around 08.15 but the classical record I listened to had very quiet sections).
I noticed for the first time that there is a lot of noise, not the usual hum/buzz when there is a grounding issue, but more like white noise with a pulsing similar to helicopter rotor noise. This gets progressively louder as volume goes up. It is noticeable from the listening position during quiet passages. At 10.30 it gets really annoying.
I checked ground from turntable, a Technics deck to the ground at rear of amplifier. Taking this off introduces the normal buzzing/hum, putting it back on leaves the white, pulsing noise.
I disconnected everything, re-connected and it is the same.
Going further after a little research I have ordered a blank plug and earthing cable. I will try and earth the amplifier to the socket/ground in addition of leaving the earth cable between TT and amplifier. Both through the TT input ground screw. This has been successfully tried according to information on the Naim forum.
It may be my router is to close so will try moving that too.
If anyone has any additional suggestions, gratefully received. Again, this is not the noise/buzz you normally get when there is a ground issue with a turntable and I have not noticed it so far as I usually listen fairly quiet.
It could of course be that something in phono stage is faulty but I leave that til I have exhausted other options. I am aware that a phone stage will always be noisier than a line source but my speakers are fairly efficient at around 91db and I have read that quiet a few Naim 50 owners increase the volume dial beyond 10am without issues.
Many thanks
PS. All my components are plugged in the same extension bar (Tacima). This includes a streamer, 2 DACâs, CD player and Turntable.
Router noise can sometimes sound like âmotorboatingâ (when a capacitor is breaking down, or if there is a short connecting input and output on the amp. )
On some Naim preamps, the phono inputs can be used as line level inputs. Instead of phono boards there is a wire link.
If phono boards are installed, the wire link needs to be cut. If they are not cut the result is a helicopter type noise.
Thank you all. I will try and unplug/move the router tonight. I unfortunately forgot to check yesterday. The amplifier is a Nait 50. FatCat, there is no wire link at the rear to the best of my knowledge.
I had an issue with my nac 72 and some serviced MC/322 cards. The HC was plugged into same double socket as the mains over Internet thing. The mains was clearly noisey and being picked up by the MC cards.
Moving the HC to a different socket removed most of the noise. Ditching the Internet over mains setup removed it all.
I guess that it might depend on the quality of our mains or the succeptibility of our own powe supplies. I might jusy be fortunate in in these respects.
The Internet over mains thing i jad was 6 years old and likely a noisey thing. It really upset the 72 with its 322 cards. Surprised me. I thought there was a problem with the cards and had a frantic email exchange with Darran. In the end the problem was fixed. And demonstrated to me the value of clean mains.
I disconnected the router and streamer, switched both off and there was no difference, same unusual noise. I can therefore eliminate this.
I then unplugged the phono RCAâs from the Turntable and the noise as described in my OP has gone. What was left was the phono stage noise itself. I will ask a question about that separately if I may.
I guess the Turntable is generating this. I guess it could be picked up from the power lead or be generated internally, I donât know. More to investigate. I have other amplifiers I can try but am to tired after work to start changing everything. I will do so over the weekend.
My Nait 50 Phono Stage was quite noisy with a whine. I think itâs the wifi units in my building. Ordered a Ground Cable with 3 prong plug on the River. Once I connected that to the Ground on the phono stage and plugged it into the power strip 90-95% of it went away. I need to turn it up past 10 to hear any noise
Does moving the phono stage further from the deck affect the noise? It might not all be coming down the wires, it wasnât when my superline and stageline were directly beneath my Lenco. The pre also appreciates an empty Fraim shelfâs extra separation.
I find wireless devices like a phone or iPad near even regular hifi line level components (so much less sensitive than a phono stage) will pick up digital hiss and chirps that comes at semi intervals. I imagine that any interference could be picked up anywhere between the cartridge and phono stage. Assuming the noise you describe isnât actually on the record.
You might try disconnecting the turntableâs ground lead (if it has one) just to see if that makes the problem better or worse.