VPI ...POP!

SteveRB · « **on:** 22 Aug 2013, 05:01 pm »

So, I've been swapping carts on my VPI Classic 1, and I installed a CA Maestro Wood. Great sound. However, now when ever I turn the VPI off there is a very loud POP from the switch...

Any one else with this issue?

Any solutions (that don't involve changing the cart)?

vortrex · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 05:03 pm »

known issue with VPI. if you contact them they will tell you how to fix it with cheap cap from Radio Shack. mind boggling how they still ship tables like this but tell you how to fix it.

SteveRB · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 05:09 pm »

strange... It only happened with this ClearAudio cart.

I've had Shelter, Garrott Bros, Denon, Sure... no issues.

vortrex · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 05:20 pm »

Google "VPI pop" and see all the talk about this. I always had it on my Classic 1.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 05:22 pm »

Quote from: vortrex on 22 Aug 2013, 05:20 pm

Google "VPI pop" and see all the talk about this. I always had it on my Classic 1.

Actually if you turned your phonostage to 'mute' when you turn on or turn off the player, wouldn't that be a way to fix the problem as well? I guess that depends on if you have a 'mute' button on your phonostage...

Best,
Anand.

SteveRB · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 05:28 pm »

Quote from: poseidonsvoice on 22 Aug 2013, 05:22 pm

Actually if you turned your phonostage to 'mute' when you turn on or turn off the player, wouldn't that be a way to fix the problem as well? I guess that depends on if you have a 'mute' button on your phonostage...

I believe that is referred to as a 'work-around'

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 05:56 pm »

Quote from: SteveRB on 22 Aug 2013, 05:28 pm

I believe that is referred to as a 'work-around'

Agreed

Best,
Anand.

bside123 · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 06:02 pm »

The "pop" is an easy fix with the correct cap between the switch and the motor. VPI can advise you directly, as it's been a few years since I encountered and solved the problem. The pop is common and is more or less accentuated depending upon the other components, i.e., preamp, cartridge, phono stage, etc. Hope this helps.

Russtafarian · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 06:12 pm »

Will this fix the HUGE pop I get through the system when I turn on the motor of my HW-17 record cleaner?

Russ

galyons · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 06:13 pm »

I have not had this problem with a HW19Jr., MkIV or TNT. The HW19Jr. was run straight into the A/C outlet, but the HW19MkIV and TNT were run into VPI PLC and SDS, respectively. I don't know that I would classify it as a "common" VPI issue, as it seems to be subject to many variables. Of course my experience is only a few data points.

Cheers,
Geary

galyons · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 06:13 pm »

Quote from: Russtafarian on 22 Aug 2013, 06:12 pm

Will this fix the HUGE pop I get through the system when I turn on the motor of my HW-17 record cleaner?

Russ

Or 16.5!

SteveRB · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 06:15 pm »

come to think of it... i may have also swapped AC cables.

That certainly could have introduced a POP

Wayner · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 06:38 pm »

It's a switch issue. VPI uses a break before make switch that causes the pop. The fix is usually a small uf cap of high voltage to absorb the break noise. Most turntables have this cap on their switches. Swapping the cord makes no difference at all.

Wayner

plastico · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 Aug 2013, 06:39 pm »

I haven't got a Classic, but you could check to see if the deck has a suppressor/capacitor (most already do), or add one across the switch contacts. A 0.01 mfd capacitor across the switch should help.

Cheers, Plastico

SteveRB · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Aug 2013, 06:24 pm »

Heard back from VPI --

They recommend trying several different grounding schemes. No talk of changing capacitors. I'll try it out this weekend.

plastico · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Aug 2013, 02:27 am »

Always nice to hear back from the manufacturer, with recommendations

SteveRB · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Aug 2013, 08:10 pm »

Grounded. Gone.

Thanks to VPI.

Wayner · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 Aug 2013, 11:57 am »

Glad it was just a grounding problem, although I'm not sure what you did. Did you not have a ground wire from the J-box to your preamp? Or did the motor assembly need to be grounded?

Wayner

SteveRB · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 Aug 2013, 05:54 pm »

Wayner, this is from VPI:

You need to pay special attention to the grounding of your turntable/tonearm. Make sure you have a ground wire running from the phono junction box to your phono preamp. You may need to run a ground wire from the phono junction box to the center screw of a wall outlet or from underneath the TT bearing (just tape the bare end of the wire) to the center screw of the wall outlet. Grounding is a trial and error procedure.

I grounded the junction box and the bearing to my phono pre lug. The Pop is, mostly, gone now. Interesting how it came once I started using higher output carts.

Wayner · « **Reply #19 on:** 26 Aug 2013, 07:54 pm »

I wonder why they don't supply a 3-prong plug on the motor? It's electrically isolated from the tonearm and probably would make any of these issues go away. The turntable's tonearm should always be grounded to the preamp.

I imagine that the higher output cartridge also amplified the "zap" along with the rest of the signal. To me, because the two systems are isolated, the zap is RF caused by the spark of the motor switch in the make/break mode.

But you seem to have gotten the problem under control, with only a muffled "pop" at turn on. I always have my volume control to off when I switch on one of my connected tables. learned that from the old days.

Wayner