Not really sure where to put this thread, since it might be my receiver or might be a tt prob. (sure to get some creative advice on that underlined part, though...) :yes:

First, I tend to get wordy w/these, so I'll do my best to keep short/sweet. Ask away if I left stuff out.

Allied Receiver, low end Technics SL-220 TT. (yeah, I'm broke and can't afford the good stuff atm)

Had a Technics SLBD22 hooked up & was working fine. It crapped out so got the SL-200. Hooked it up and it was also working fine.

Needed to move some stuff to make my TT more accessible. (listening room is awful - relegated to the basement more or less... mostly more)

I bought some phono extender plugs to make 2 RCA cables into 2 longer cables. While I did this, I had to extend the ground wire as well. I put Y connector on one end and used a machine screw/bolt to connect those together. Why? Because I can... but maybe I shouldnt'a...

Hooked everything up and it was working ok for an album's worth. Then turned on the PC to rip some vinyl and noticed that the left channel wasn't peaking equally in the GUI on my software. It SOUNDED okay, but I started to wonder if something was wrong w/the receiver's output, or maybe the new TT wasn't working so well on the left. So I started troubeshooting.... or troublemaking as it were...

I tried connecting the TT to the Aux jack. Bad idea. Yes, YOU knew that, but I did not. :no: Put everything back the way it was, and noticed (by ear this time) there was something wonky going on w/the left channel. I had the mono switch on, DUH! So when I flipped it to stereo and tried again, now I have a hum on the phono portion of the receiver. It does NOT hum on the aux (satellite receiver hooked up there) nor does it hum on the FM.

Btw, I'd like any advice I could get on houses w/older wiring and any possible issues w/that, too, especially if you think it's contributing. This is an old house w/2-wire wiring, and the plug tester says "open ground" when I plug into the wall. It says "correct" when I plug into the surge protector, however.

So much for short/sweet.... (sigh) Sorry & thx if you read all that & can help. Or let me know if I should post this in another forum as well... TIA!

1st: You need to move your TT closer to your receiver and only use the stock set of interconnects. The extension you added just doubled your phono cable capacitance or maybe even more. This will greatly reduce the output. Plus the ones you added are probably not shielded thus picking up any interference creating your hum.

2nd: Make sure your ground connection that you added is making a good connection at the splice. It would be better to solder the two together to ensure connectivity and not add any resistance to the run and shorting potential.

3rd: If your TT is located near a TV or monitor turn them off and see if the hum disappears. CRT's are notorious for emitting interference from their transformers thus hum for your TT. I just relocated my 1300MKII and 1600 to accomodate an amp. Unfortunately it was less than a foot away from my 32" CRT TV. Never had a problem with hum with either, drove me nuts for about an hour diagnosing. TV on = light hum @ moderate volume, TV off = no hum.

1st: You need to move your TT closer to your receiver and only use the stock set of interconnects. The extension you added just doubled your phono cable capacitance or maybe even more. This will greatly reduce the output. Plus the ones you added are probably not shielded thus picking up any interference creating your hum.

2nd: Make sure your ground connection that you added is making a good connection at the splice. It would be better to solder the two together to ensure connectivity and not add any resistance to the run and shorting potential.

3rd: If your TT is located near a TV or monitor turn them off and see if the hum disappears. CRT's are notorious for emitting interference from their transformers thus hum for your TT. I just relocated my 1300MKII and 1600 to accomodate an amp. Unfortunately it was less than a foot away from my 32" CRT TV. Never had a problem with hum with either, drove me nuts for about an hour diagnosing. TV on = light hum, TV off = no hum.

Excellent, excellent! Thanks for the reply. There are several possible culprits there, especially the PC monitor. I do have the system close to the PC, as I've been ripping my vinyl to digital formats.
I won't need to extend the ground cable if I move the TT back as you described, so that should solve that.
There is also, sure 'nuff, a TV somewhat close by that I had turned on watching the NFL combine w/closed captioning.
Good stuff to try here, and I'll report back. Looks like I may just need to rearrange the room a bit. May be a few days, as I've now been treated w/a nice little cold virus in the meantime.