How To Fix Turntable Hum

Are you tired of hearing that annoying hum, buzz, or crackle coming from your turntable? Don’t let it ruin your listening experience!

Turntable hum is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors, from wiring problems to magnetic interference. But fear not, fixing it is usually a simple process that can be done at home.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to troubleshoot and fix turntable hum, so you can enjoy your vinyl collection without any unwanted noise.

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Grounding

The first step to fixing turntable hum is to ensure that your turntable is properly grounded. Most turntables come with a ground cable that needs to be connected to the grounding terminal on the back of your turntable. Tighten the nut down on the cable connector and repeat these steps on the grounding terminal of your amplifier or speakers.

If your turntable has a built-in preamp, you may not have to ground the table to a receiver. Built-in preamps are common on newer turntables such as Audio Technica models, LP-60 and LP120s. Look for a switch on the back of the unit that says Phono or Line to determine if your turntable has a built-in preamp.

If your turntable doesn’t have a ground wire, locate a metal screw on the turntable (usually underneath the table) and try connecting a piece of speaker wire to another metal screw on the receiver. You want to get a good metal-to-metal connection from the turntable to the receiver to get rid of the hum noise.

Step 2: Check Your Cables

Check all the cables on your turntable to ensure they are connected securely. Check the RCA cables that plug into your amp/preamp, the tonearm wires, and especially the cartridge connections. Often they can be loose. You can further troubleshoot the cartridge wires by connecting the and wires together using an alligator clip. This should eliminate the hum. If it does not, then the wires need replacing.

Step 3: Positioning

Play around with the positioning of your turntable – as far away as possible from the rest of your equipment is ideal. This may require a less aesthetically pleasing positioning of your turntable, but can often fix the annoying turntable hum problem.

Step 4: Troubleshoot Other Components

If none of these steps have fixed your turntable hum, it’s time to troubleshoot other components in your audio system. Check if there is a breakdown in the amplifier or phono stage, which can also cause hum to a certain extent. Likewise, using cheap turntables with low-quality equipment can also cause humming issues.

Identifying The Cause Of Turntable Hum

Identifying the cause of turntable hum can be a frustrating task, but it is necessary to fix the problem. The most common cause of hum is a grounding issue, where the turntable is not properly grounded. This can be fixed by following the grounding steps mentioned above.

Another common cause of turntable hum is a problem with the wiring inside the audio system. If the amplifier is tuned to one input through which a vinyl player is played, then there may be a breakdown in the device itself. A separate problem can be the phono stage, which can also cause hum to a certain extent.

If you are using cheap turntables with low-quality equipment, this can also cause humming issues. It is worth investing in a higher quality turntable and audio system to avoid these issues.

The cartridge itself can also be a source of hum. Magnetic field interference can mess with particular cartridges. Play around with the positioning of your turntable – as far away as possible from the rest of your equipment is ideal. This may require a less aesthetically pleasing positioning of your turntable, but can often fix the annoying turntable hum problem.

Checking all cables and connections is also important in identifying the cause of turntable hum. Loose connections or damaged cables can cause humming issues. Make sure that all cables are securely connected and replace any damaged cables.

Checking The Grounding And Wiring

One of the most common causes of turntable hum is improper grounding. To eliminate this issue, it’s important to check that all grounding wires on your equipment are installed and attached correctly.

Start by checking the ground lead from your turntable and ensuring that it is properly grounded. Most amplifiers or phono preamps have a ground post to connect the ground lead to. If your turntable has a built-in preamp, you may not have to ground the table to a receiver. However, if your turntable doesn’t have a ground wire, you can try connecting a piece of speaker wire to another metal screw on the receiver to get a good metal-to-metal connection from the turntable to the receiver.

Next, check all the cables on your turntable to ensure they are connected securely. Loose connections can cause humming issues, so pay special attention to the RCA cables that plug into your amp/preamp, the tonearm wires, and especially the cartridge connections. If any of these connections are loose, tighten them up.

If you’re still experiencing turntable hum after checking the grounding and wiring, try adjusting the position of your turntable. Magnetic field interference can mess with particular cartridges, so play around with the positioning of your turntable – as far away as possible from the rest of your equipment is ideal. This may require a less aesthetically pleasing positioning of your turntable, but can often fix the annoying turntable hum problem.

Addressing Magnetic Interference

Magnetic interference is a common cause of turntable hum. This type of interference can be caused by household appliances such as blenders, fluorescent lights, and even dimmer switches. Electrical devices with motors are also known to produce electromagnetic interference that can create noise in your speakers.

To address magnetic interference, try moving your turntable away from these types of devices. You can also use an online UPS (uninterruptible power supply), isolation transformer, or power conditioner to eliminate any hum caused by AC device interference.

Another way to address magnetic interference is to use shielded cables for your turntable. Shielded cables are designed to block out electromagnetic interference and can help reduce the amount of hum in your speakers. Make sure all cables are properly connected and securely fastened to prevent any loose connections that could cause interference.

If you have tried all these steps and still have turntable hum, it may be time to consider upgrading your equipment. Low-quality turntables and equipment can often produce humming issues that cannot be fixed by troubleshooting alone. Investing in higher quality equipment will not only improve the sound quality but also reduce the likelihood of any annoying hum or noise.

Upgrading Your Turntable Components

Upgrading your turntable components can significantly improve the sound quality of your vinyl playback system, and may even help eliminate turntable hum. One of the most effective upgrades you can make is to add an external phono preamp to your system. This will help boost the low phono level voltage to a line level voltage that your power amplifier can use to amplify the signal.

When researching preamps, consider factors such as space requirements, sound quality, and price. Preamps can range from very cheap to extremely costly for high-end boutique style models. Look for a preamp that works with your set-up and budget, and read reviews or consult with experts to ensure you choose a quality model.

To install the new preamp, start by powering off all components in your system. If you already have a preamp, unplug the RCA cables from your old preamp’s inputs and outputs, and unplug the power cable from the old preamp. Next, plug the RCA cables from your turntable into the inputs of your new preamp, and plug the cables that lead to the power amp into the outputs of the new preamp. Finally, plug in the power cable of the new preamp and turn on all components to test and make any necessary adjustments.

Upgrading other components such as speakers or cartridges can also improve sound quality and potentially eliminate turntable hum. However, it’s important to ensure that any upgrades are compatible with your turntable and other equipment in your system. Researching and consulting with experts can help ensure that any upgrades you make are effective and worthwhile.

Regular Maintenance To Prevent Turntable Hum

Regular maintenance is crucial in preventing turntable hum. Here are some tips to keep your turntable in top shape:

1. Keep your turntable clean: Dust and debris can accumulate on the stylus, causing it to skip and produce unwanted noises. Use a soft brush or a stylus cleaner to remove any dirt or dust from the stylus.

2. Replace the stylus regularly: Over time, the stylus can wear down, affecting the sound quality and causing humming noises. Check your stylus regularly and replace it when necessary.

3. Check the alignment of the cartridge: The cartridge should be aligned correctly with the tonearm to produce optimal sound quality. Misalignment can cause humming noises and affect the overall sound quality.

4. Keep your records clean: Dirty records can produce unwanted noises and affect the sound quality of your turntable. Clean your records regularly using a record cleaning brush or a record cleaning machine.

5. Maintain proper tracking force: The tracking force should be set correctly to avoid damaging your records and producing humming noises. Check your turntable’s manual for instructions on how to set the tracking force correctly.

By following these maintenance tips, you can prevent turntable hum and ensure that your turntable produces high-quality sound for years to come.