Consider grounding issues before buying a turntable for your audio system.
A ground loop occurs when every chassis connection on a machine is different from every other connection.
The turntable must be grounded to the amplifier in order to work properly. As a result, you can also reduce sound interference and improve the sound quality of your system. In order to ground a turntable, what is the best method?
Grounding a Turntable Properly and Promptly
It is generally recommended that you follow six main steps.
Get started. Turning off the power supply will turn off the record player
Grounding a turntable requires you to disconnect both the amplifier and the turntable from power.
When you connect the speakers in this manner, you can prevent your room from being filled with noisy and dangerous noises caused by an electric shock.
Ground the turntable by finding its ground wire
Grounding a turntable requires knowledge of its wires, as with any electric component.
The turntable’s metal chassis is generally connected to these. In addition, the copper spade of these connectors is unconnected.
Turntables on the market come with green ground wires, so you can easily identify this feature.
In addition, some have varying colors, but the color does not matter the most.
Wires usually fold under the chassis of a new turntable and are secured with twist ties. Wires must be stripped of their wrapping.
Finding your amplifier or receiver’s grounding terminals will help you ground them
The back of your turntable is also marked “ground.”. You will typically find the grounding terminal on an amplifier or a receiver (depending on your turntable’s structure).
There is something different about the terminal cover when you look at it. Metal posts with knurled shafts or screw terminals can both be used as screw terminals.
Once the grounding terminal is unfastened, you have to unplug it.
The fourth step involves connecting a grounding wire to the grounding terminal of the amplifier
When the amplifier’s grounding terminal is loose, the turntable ground wire should catch the amplifier’s grounding terminal.
You should then arrange your equipment so an amplifier is as close as possible to a turntable (if needed).
Drop the ground wire into the grounding terminal with the spade connector
When moving equipment, your ground wire needs to be connected to the spade connector
Terminating the ground.
Once the connection is tightened, you need to use a moderate amount of force while holding the connection in a limited level.
Turntable and amplifier are powered by the same circuit
Before you attach the ground wire to your turntable, you need to open the power for the turntable and amplifier. Your record player and audio system are ready.
How to Set Up a New Turntable Easily
The following section is for those who need help setting up a turntable. As soon as you know how the process is completed, you have a broader understanding of the turntable ground wire as well as the record player.
The first step involves fastening the phono cartridge to either the tonearm or headshell (optional).
A pair of screws and nuts are included with the cartridge. Cartridge holders are connected to phono cartridges. Alternatively, this is called the Tonearm headshell.
As you slide the tonearm lift bar towards the rear of your new turntable, you can then untie the cartridge holder from the tonearm.
Ensure that the cartridge is placed on the cartridge holder with the nozzle in the right position before removing the screws.
It is very important that the stylus cover is kept in a certain position during the first step in order to prevent possible damage to the stylus.
Connect the phono cartridge with the four wires
To reduce noise, each wire and terminal on the back of the phono cartridge should be attached to the right terminal on the tonearm or the headshell using some pliers.
Moreover, each wire is labeled with a color. It is also possible that the shell of the head is colored differently.
It is therefore important to consult your owner’s manual for more information. A left channel might have a white or blue color while a right channel might have a green or red color.
Then, secure the cartridge holder to the tone arm by tightening it slightly.
The Third Step is Stabilizing the Tone Arm
Stabilizing the cartridge’s weight will help the tone arm smoothly move.
Be sure to rotate them on the rear of the tone arm after opening the tone arm from its resting post.
When you see the tone arm floats, you will know that you undertake the right way.
Additionally, don’t forget to set your tone arm’s tracking force indicator to zero. After that, remove the stylus when you perform.
Adjust the tracking force on the tone arm
The tracking force specifications for every cartridge design are different, depending on the design.
Therefore, a tracking force device or a tone arm with an indicator is a better choice than the tracking force indicator. As well as adding the tracking force to each cartridge specification, you can also add the tracking force to each dimension.
The next step is to place a skate-resistant control
On some turntables, anti-skid handles are present. Generally speaking, a skating-resistant handle should be used for a record player that will rotate with its tone arm in the center.
This will also prevent the turntable from placing excessive pressure on the record grooves on either side.
Skating-resistant control is automatically adjusted as part of tracking force adjustment, so you do not need to adjust it separately. This can be illustrated with the Dual 1215 turntable.
Your turntable should be connected to audio equipment or a record player at this stage
Under the turntable are two white and two red connectors, and they are to be connected to the phono on the back of the amplifier or receiver.
You should use a phono preamp input if your turntable does not have a phono input.
Keep in mind that connecting to another input device will cause damage to your turntable in the future.
An amplifier or receiver should also have an earth-ground wire connected to the turntable, either through a ground screw or a ground post.
For prolonged use of a turntable, how to maintain it?
In the process of grounding and setting up a new turntable, you have already identified how to do both. These tasks may seem straightforward to you.
Nonetheless, you must make sure that your new turntable is durable and offers good acoustics. You might find these maintenance tips helpful.
Turntables must be cleaned before and after purchase
Discwasher is the best substance to use for cleaning your turntable.
Your devices will have a longer lifespan and be of better quality with the kit. Make your record player last forever by cleaning it on a regular basis.
Make Sure the Needle (also known as the Stylus) is Clean
In addition, some people forget to clean the needle as well. You must also pay attention to the needle when you’re adjusting your turntable’s sound.
For this reason, it is imperative to keep the needle clean by using a soft brush.
Make sure you pay attention to the weather
Avoid placing your turntable in the hottest parts of your home or in a place where it will receive a lot of direct sunlight. Ensure that only room temperature is used.
Additionally, the weather environment makes the turntable comfortable. Furthermore, it is crucial that the coating is protected by reading the instructions carefully.
Use it all the time to evade
It is great to have a new record player, but you shouldn’t use it for more than several hours per day.
Every machine needs a rest and to relax like a human. Try turning off the device when not in use and letting it breathe.
Keep your turntable in good working order
Keep in mind that you should also regularly check your turntable’s frequency and sound quality.
It is still a good idea to do that regardless of whether the device displays damaged states. If you’re still unsure, contact a local professional or the Auditomasters.
Installing a new belt drive
Also, if your turntable has a belt-drive, you should change the belt every few months.
You might not have a good signal if you observe that the belt is sliding lower than it is often on its pulley or on the platter.
In either case, it is time to replace the belt drive, which dried out or failed to grip
Rotating disc.
Opening the motor sometimes causes the belt to slide, which is a sign that the belt needs to be replaced.
Ask the manufacturer about the recommended belt before purchasing it. Alternatively, you can read our post to learn how to replace a turntable belt.
Record Players: Some Fundamentals
When you don’t remember the turntable components or you want to make sure you have the appropriate ground wire, this part is for you.
When you read other reviews and start shopping, remembering the parts is not necessary, but it is essential and helpful.
- A spinning plate is used for this purpose.
- The mat provides a soft surface on which the record is held while the turntable spins. Some turntables are designed to separate vibration from power.
- Usually, tone arms are arms. The tone arms of some turntables are straight, while those of others are curved. A cable connects the needle to the base of the turntable and to the amplifier.
- A cartridge is inserted in the head shell and the needle of the tonearm is attached to it. As the cartridge is made within the head shell, you cannot see it clearly.
- It adjusts how much force is applied to the tone arm horizontally.
- During playback, it minimizes distortion as well.
- When you are not using the turntable, you can keep the tone arm on the armrest.
- You can adjust the rotation speed of your turntable with the pitch adjustment if the platter is not stationary during rotation. Quartz lock turntables, however, do not require this part, so you can ignore it if you buy one of these.
Due to the counterweight, you can adjust the force with which the stylus strikes the record surface by adjusting the weight. Also referred to as the tracking force, this part is used to move the vehicle forward.
Final thoughts
When you have already purchased a suitable record player, setting up a new record player or grounding an existing record player is relatively easy.
It is also much easier to install the ground wire on the turntable now. Also, we’ve provided maintenance advice so your turntable will last as long as possible.
When you purchase a new turntable, you should not need to worry about “how to ground a turntable”.
Should you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask them. Please share your experiences with a record player with us if you have had several experiences with one.
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