Does anyone else have or have had this problem?

When I hit the power on my VPI Scout motor to flip or change a record, unless I have the pre-amp (all tube set-up) dialed all the way down, I get this awful popping sound through my speakers. Anyway, having to turn down the pre-amp every time is a terrible hassle and just another step in the record playing ritual that I would love to remove. Its annoying enough to have to unscrew the Delrin cap every time I need to flip or change a record, especially with all these jazz 45's being released...

If any of you folks have encountered this and have any solutions, please let me know. Some thoughts were a power conditioner or plugging the motor into another outlet. It definitely has something to do with the power change or perhaps some type of static reaction with the needle. I cant seem to figure it out.

Thanks.....

What you hear is electricity arcing across the switch contacts as they open.
Most 'tables [and all Dual], have a 0.01 MFD cap across the switch contacts to prevent this.

Seth
Forever Analog and Covered In Parrot Poop

Before I opened your post the tittle made me say "I bet its a VPI", its normal and can be fixed if it really bugs you, my dad just got in habbit of mute with his Scoutmaster but this issue pops up often and its really only an issue if its really really loud on extremely efficient speakers or if it drives you nuts.

Its pretty loud thats for sure. Also since I am running a Wright PP-200C phono stage directly into the amp, I dont have the option of muting. Basically I have to turn down both gain pots each time. Basically, just an annoyance more than anything. What would be the solution?

What would be the solution?

I believe Seth has replied to your question in his post above:


Most 'tables [and all Dual], have a 0.01 MFD cap across the switch contacts to prevent this.