Phono stage motorboating - Power lesson learned

[ohbythebay]

So I hadn't used my rig in about a week (busy week) and when I fired everything up and set to the aux for the TT (Phonomena II phono stage) I heard a motorboat noise through the speakers.

I thought "oH crap, my tube amp". Checked all tubes were tight and then checked other inputs...no motorboat. Hmm..so it has to be the Phono stage / TT

I tried an album and when I touched the arm, it reduced a bit but not a lot...so ground noise issue. How could that be ? It was perfect.

Then I realized, during the week I had moved a Netgear Wi-Fi extender to another outlet nearby. I unplugged it and motorboat gone. It must have been on the same breaker circuit as the phono stage and was producing an oscillation.

Lesson learned ? Clean power is essential. Even if not loudly audible, noise in the AC line will affect sound quality. Not all power is created equal

 

[joeinid]

Thanks Rob!

This is great to know.

 

[NorthStar]

Great tip Rob, thx!

 

[MDP]

Thanks Rob, I might be having a similar problem, I'll check my power cords Etc.

 

[Petro85]

I've had similar issues due to my cable wire and modem being too close to my fosgate.
I ran it through a cheap power strip with cable filter on it . And moved all power to a different further away outlet and pushed a the extra cable wire back through the floor it fixed it. It was worse when a silver cable was in between pre and phonostage

 

[ohbythebay]

It really woke me up..and I also thought only TUBE amps motorboated...hmmm..

Well...I plan on leaving it on a different circuit but I have ordered a Furman unit for the TT and Phono stage. The main rig part gets special treatment so why not my essential part ? I ordered a unit for my AV equipment too..LOL...Buy one ..get one ...for the same price....LOL

it was one of these that caused the issue

 

[NorthStar]

Bad toy bad toy! ...Rob, did you put your foot on it?

 

[MusicDirector]

Yes, clean or discrete power is essential for most systems. My modern system is plugged into a Panamax Conditioner/surge protector that has saved my sorry ass twice! Two times I coiuld have lost my receiver and once my TV had it not been for that thing. I hated buying it at the time as it was pricey, but it paid for itself big time. I have my Roku and Squeezebox plugged into a power strip with the strip plugged into the same outlet as the power conditioner right next to my gear and I get no issues
I have my vintage system plugged into one of those Belkin remote switch units.
Right now I'm listening to a record with my Denon DP47f, Shure M97xE cart and the Phonomena II. Nice, but still a fair bit of roll off in the highs due to the cart being what it is. Will be swapping out for a Ortofon 2M Bronze by end of month or next. In the meantime I may grab a AT95E and throw it on there...well. set it up on there spending 45 minutes to do it with my lack of skill at it.