Technics SL1400 has more audio on left channel

[420JJJazz666]

Hello,
I have been experiencing an issue with my Technics Sl1400 recently where more audio is coming from the left channel than from the right channel. I am running a Shure V15 Type IV cartridge with a JICO SAS VN45HE. This cartridge has been on the turntable since the 70s, and I was wondering if perhaps it is the issue.

Ruling out groove wear, I have played the same record on my girlfriend's turntable (Marantz 6025 that serves as our living room deck) and haven't experienced the same issue.

Do I need to upgrade the wiring on the tonearm? Do I need a new cartridge, and does anyone have any recommendations as to what a good replacement would be? Do I need to somehow restore the cartridge I already have?

Thank you

 

[Montycat]

It might be your amp. Switch the RCA cables left to right on the amp and see if the volume issue goes to the other side. If it doesn't it's not in the turntable.

 

[420JJJazz666]

It might be your amp. Switch the RCA cables left to right on the amp and see if the volume issue goes to the other side. If it doesn't it's not in the turntable.

So I tried a few things:
-I switched the turntable's left and right RCAs on the amp, the quiet channel still sounded quiet while coming out of the other speaker
-I switched the headshell/cart over to the Marantz (per a recommendation on another board) and did not experience the volume imbalance.
-Just to make sure I wasn't crazy, I A/B'ed a song from an album that I have on both CD and vinyl, my girlfriend and I agreed the imbalance was noticeable (although not immediately discernible before the A/B).
I am going to assume its either the RCA cables or the tonearm wires at this point.

 

[SaSi]

I have had the same issue on an SL1301 TT that I restored last year. Initially the sound from one channel came out lower than the other and eventually it started cutting out. I traced it down to the interconnect coming out of the back of the Turntable. The cable is secured by a plate screwed down against the cable and by use and abuse it looks like it weakened the core of the cable on one channel.

Try to wiggle the interconnect at the back of the turntable while listening to the faulty channel only. If the loudness changes there's proof that the problem is right there. Or the issue could be close to the RCA jacks at the end of the leads.

If you have a multimeter, you could measure the dc resistance from the tonearm to the leads end, by poking the probe of the multimeter against the gold plated contacts that become accesible on the tonearm when you remove the headshell.

I would not suspect the tonearm leads. Since you have eliminated the headshell tiny wires (that can wear out), the next suspect thing would be the interconnects from the back of the TT.

 

[justjed2]

Have you cleaned the output contacts on the headshell? I use a clean dry paper towel and give the gold pins a good rub when my SL-1800 acts up like this. You could also use De-Oxit, or any good contact cleaner.

 

[cgutz]

If it is barely discernible imbalance, I have had this happen when the stylus/cartridge azimuth was not level, or when there was too little or too much antiskate.