[raysracing]

I am using my trusty old Proton D540 integrated amp more and more. It has an annoying problem in that if you have say the tuner on or CD player still on when you listen to something else you can hear that source clearly. It also has a bit of noise too that I would like to lower. There is a buzz at turn on that stays constant and the hiss that starts at about 2/3 volume. Hiss I am thinking cannot be avoided.

I want to make this my pre-amp soon,  but I want to eliminate these noises first (or buy something used like a NAD or Yamaha pre-amp or possibly the Pioneer vxd912).

Anyone know how to inexpensively fix this?  I'd love to keep it as it has MM/MC lo, high phone stage in it and saves me money to buy my speakers and amp.

[Speedskater]

It just might be ghosts and it may take Black Magic to fix it.  OK really it may be three separate problems. The cross-talk is one, the buzz another,and the hiss is the third.

I'll try to get back with some ghost busting later today.

[Doublej]

Is the buzz electrical or mechanical?

[raysracing]

The buzz is electrical for sure. Thanks in advance for all help. I think this will be fun. I have a Hakko soldering station so I can do any mods that require that.

[raysracing]

I just spoke with a local audio repair shop and he said this is actually common and is called bleed through. Just cannot have two sources with music playing at the same time.

This integrated is soon to go on the block, but I feel I need to address this ghosting first. Anyone have any ideas?Thanks,Ray[/]

[JLM]

Cross talk = bleed through (that shouldn't have changed with time IMHO)

Aging components and dust accumulation are the likely culprits for the rest.  Try moving it away from other electrical devices to see if that helps.  I trialed a DIY'd amp years ago that had the power supply in a separate box (and no wonder).  The 60 Hz hum was very noticable and it picked up the local FM station (about -40 dB).

[raysracing]

Cross talk = bleed through (that shouldn't have changed with time IMHO)

I did a DIY trick I read here on AC and made RCA shorts as a hum got so bad I couldnt stand it. I first found that one input needed to be unplugged and that took care of most of it. IT was getting loose in the chassis. The shorts on the inputs helped too. I'll resolder and replace all of the questionable RCA's once my Warpspeed comes and i can take it offline for awhile.

Anyone know if Radio Shack phono plugs are as good as anything else for equal money or have a source for good inexpensive jacks? RS gets expensive, but is convenient (a mile from my house).

Thanks all for the help,

Ray

[Letitroll98]

I did a DIY trick I read here on AC and made RCA shorts as a hum got so bad I couldnt stand it. I first found that one input needed to be unplugged and that took care of most of it. IT was getting loose in the chassis. The shorts on the inputs helped too. I'll resolder and replace all of the questionable RCA's once my Warpspeed comes and i can take it offline for awhile.

Anyone know if Radio Shack phono plugs are as good as anything else for equal money or have a source for good inexpensive jacks? RS gets expensive, but is convenient (a mile from my house).

Thanks all for the help,

Ray

Last question first, try Parts Express, get the cheapest plugs available as they are the easiest to bend the flimsy tabs over and short out with a dab of solder.  I get mine on eBay, you can save a few cents over PE.  You don't need quality parts as all you're doing is shunting noise, not signal.  Remember to short out inputs only, shorting outputs without a load will make sure you get to take the Proton offline.   

Second question, besides the reduction in noise, did you notice any other improvement in sound using shorting plugs?

[raysracing]

I actually shorted them a little differently. I just stripped the inner and outer wires on ancient RCA cables, twisted them and electrical taped them in a loop. Not as elegant, but effective. I mean no cross talk at all.

Ive done too many other things earlier today to know if there were sonic benefits and i am in quiet listening mode right now too, but I will say I took the rubber mat off my TT, put on felt discs of varying size on the outer 2/3 of the platter and I swear bass, imaging, definition all went up in a big way. My little Paradigm Titans sounded like I hooked up a small sub. I used as few discs as I thought I could. Disc does not hit uniformly, but I think this is ok. Only problem is cleaning discs now is hard. The open space makes the disc wobble.

I mean for sure it sounds better as the sound floor went to near nothing compared to before, especially as quiet as I am listening to now.

Edit: I also took the wall wart off of my Tripath amp and put in batteries.
I swear that was big too. Especially on double bass string noise, high hat, etc. The cool little detail stuff.

[Letitroll98]

I actually shorted them a little differently. I just stripped the inner and outer wires on ancient RCA cables, twisted them and electrical taped them in a loop. Not as elegant, but effective. I mean no cross talk at all.

Ive done too many other things earlier today to know if there were sonic benefits and i am in quiet listening mode right now too, but I will say I took the rubber mat off my TT, put on felt discs of varying size on the outer 2/3 of the platter and I swear bass, imaging, definition all went up in a big way. My little Paradigm Titans sounded like I hooked up a small sub. I used as few discs as I thought I could. Disc does not hit uniformly, but I think this is ok. Only problem is cleaning discs now is hard. The open space makes the disc wobble.

I mean for sure it sounds better as the sound floor went to near nothing compared to before, especially as quiet as I am listening to now.

You'll want to solder them eventually if you keep them permanent, they need to be sealed airtight to avoid oxidation, which in RCA's = noise.

For the turntable mat, it's what we call a "Spot Mat" (Google it), I've made about 20 of them.  Try cork dots, you'll find them on the shelf next to the felt dots, even tighter bass and more open highs.  Experiment with different numbers and placements of the dots, and different substrates they're placed on (the mat itself so to speak), paper, cardboard, heavy construction paper, cork mats, bitumen infused cork mats, foam sheets, leather, whatever strikes your fancy.  (Did I mention I made a few?)  It's all Cheap and Cheerful, have fun.  Oh, and try it with and without a record clamp/weight, whatever fits your table.  You can make a good one out of a hockey puck.