Question AT LP60X buzzing when connected to amplifier

[lines]

Hello everyone,

So I recently bought a Fosi BT10A amplifier to use my new speakers with my LP60X. Previously, I had my tt connected to some active speakers using a male to male 3.5 cable and everything worked perfectly, no buzzing. Now, however, when the tt is connected to the amplifier using the same connection, buzzing can be heard. When I go to play a record, the buzzing stops immediately once the platter starts spinning. When the record finishes, the buzzing starts again. I've tried 4 different cables and the problem's persisted across all 4. However, I've found that the buzzing is slightly less noticeable when I use the initial cable I've always been using that has a silver tip and a completely flat bottom. The buzzing remains even when the tt is disconnected from power and I've moved the tt around and away from other electrical devices, still, it buzzes. If I turn the volume down on the amplifier, the buzzing becomes quieter and vice versa when louder. The amplifier works perfectly with my PC that I have connected through my DAC. I'm slowly starting to lose my mind here so any help would be much appreciated

 

[Al ears]

How have you earthed your turntable? The Fosi doesn't appear to have any facility to do so.

 

[lines]

How have you earthed your turntable? The Fosi doesn't appear to have any facility to do so.

I haven't - I understand this sounds like a grounding problem but from what I've read online the LP60X carries ground through the aux output, hence why it has no grounding terminal. And yes, the Fosi doesn't have one either.

 

[daytona600]

.Set ouput to line & connect to line/aux input on your amp

 

[lines]

.Set ouput to line & connect to line/aux input on your amp
View attachment 8296

It's already been set to line

 

[Al ears]

I haven't - I understand this sounds like a grounding problem but from what I've read online the LP60X carries ground through the aux output, hence why it has no grounding terminal. And yes, the Fosi doesn't have one either.

So, logically, it is the Fosi amp causing the issue.

 

[Gray]

So, logically, it is the Fosi amp causing the issue.

But that wouldn't explain ⬇️

When I go to play a record, the buzzing stops immediately once the platter starts spinning. When the record finishes, the buzzing starts again.

 

[lines]

So, logically, it is the Fosi amp causing the issue.

I don't understand why though; I have it connected to my PC and it's playing music perfectly. No buzzing or anything.

 

[Gray]

Interesting to see that a Fosi photo on Amazon, shows a 4-pole 3.5mm plug going into the Aux input of the BT10A.....when a 3-pole plug is all it actually needs 🤔
(Not that it explains your mysterious symptom).

You said that the turntable played perfectly into some active speakers.
If you've still got them, it would be a good idea to confirm whether that's still the case.

(3.5mm is an inferior type of connector, when compared to alternatives - but even if it was intermittent in your case, it wouldn't explain the buzz clearing as the TT platter rotates).

 

[Al ears]

Interesting to see that a Fosi photo on Amazon, shows a 4-pole 3.5mm plug going into the Aux input of the BT10A.....when a 3-pole plug is all it actually needs 🤔
(Not that it explains your mysterious symptom).

You said that the turntable played perfectly into some active speakers.
If you've still got them, it would be a good idea to confirm whether that's still the case.

(3.5mm is an inferior type of connector, when compared to alternatives - but even if it was intermittent in your case, it wouldn't explain the buzz clearing as the TT platter rotates).

Perhaps some interference from the motor getting through to the Fosi somehow?

 

[lines]

Interesting to see that a Fosi photo on Amazon, shows a 4-pole 3.5mm plug going into the Aux input of the BT10A.....when a 3-pole plug is all it actually needs 🤔
(Not that it explains your mysterious symptom).

You said that the turntable played perfectly into some active speakers.
If you've still got them, it would be a good idea to confirm whether that's still the case.

(3.5mm is an inferior type of connector, when compared to alternatives - but even if it was intermittent in your case, it wouldn't explain the buzz clearing as the TT platter rotates).

Hi, so I've just connected the tt to my active speakers trying all 4 cables and no buzzing by using any one of them. It might be worth mentioning how the buzzing stops and starts. Once a record finishes, there will be silence for a couple seconds after the tone arm automatically returns to the arm rest. Then, after about a couple seconds, the buzzing starts to creep in. It doesn't return immediately or at full volume, instead, it slowly builds up from silence and after about another couple seconds the buzzing reaches its full volume. As I said before, once I press start or hover the arm above the record to make the platter rotate, the buzzing goes away immediately and abruptly, unlike the couple of seconds it takes to be reintroduced.

 

[Al ears]

Hi, so I've just connected the tt to my active speakers trying all 4 cables and no buzzing by using any one of them. It might be worth mentioning how the buzzing stops and starts. Once a record finishes, there will be silence for a couple seconds after the tone arm automatically returns to the arm rest. Then, after about a couple seconds, the buzzing starts to creep in. It doesn't return immediately or at full volume, instead, it slowly builds up from silence and after about another couple seconds the buzzing reaches its full volume. As I said before, once I press start or hover the arm above the record to make the platter rotate, the buzzing goes away immediately and abruptly, unlike the couple of seconds it takes to be reintroduced.

So it is only apparent when the auto arm return is in operation?
Perhaps that's your answer.
if so not a lot else you can do but change your turntable.
The more complications they add to a deck the bigger potential for things to go wrong, as you are discovering.
Why it only happens through the amp I have no idea but probably has something to do with the means of connection.
Perhaps it dies need a 4 pole plug as you currently have left channel, right channel and earth all going to a 3 pole plug.
Seems like turntable/ amp are incompatible so one has to go

 

[Gray]

Perhaps it dies need a 4 pole plug

Well the photo certainly shows one being used - but:

you currently have left channel, right channel and earth all going to a 3 pole plug.

And that's all he should need (as we would expect, it's all his active speakers need to work perfectly)

Seems like turntable/ amp are incompatible

Unfortunately, that's the only thing we can currently be sure of.

 

[nopiano]

This is a mystery to me, except for one thing. I recall from some automatic turntables of the past (I used to sell them, and owned one for years) had a muting device. While the arm went thought its antics the output was silenced, but as it lowered onto the record it unmuted and you heard the stylus ‘plop’ into the groove.

At the end you heard the runout groove, then it muted as you describe. Then once the arm is at rest it unmutes. The conundrum is the hum level increasing slowly. I’m stumped there!

The fact you don’t hear it on one device but do on another must be a change to the grounding path.

 

[lines]

Well the photo certainly shows one being used - but:

And that's all he should need (as we would expect, it's all his active speakers need to work perfectly)

Unfortunately, that's the only thing we can currently be sure of.

So it is only apparent when the auto arm return is in operation?
Perhaps that's your answer.
if so not a lot else you can do but change your turntable.
The more complications they add to a deck the bigger potential for things to go wrong, as you are discovering.
Why it only happens through the amp I have no idea but probably has something to do with the means of connection.
Perhaps it dies need a 4 pole plug as you currently have left channel, right channel and earth all going to a 3 pole plug.
Seems like turntable/ amp are incompatible so one has to go

Damn, that's a shame. BTW it's not only when the auto arm return is in operation, it's any time the arm is returned to the rest, whether it be through automatic means or manually raising and moving it. Would you guys be able to give any tips for what to look for in a new amp regarding compatibility or maybe suggestions for some? The ability to have both my tt and dac plugged in simultaneously and simply switching between inputs would be really nice, for example, having the tt input through an rca and dac through aux. Thank you for your help I really appreciate it.

 

[lines]

This is a mystery to me, except for one thing. I recall from some automatic turntables of the past (I used to sell them, and owned one for years) had a muting device. While the arm went thought its antics the output was silenced, but as it lowered onto the record it unmuted and you heard the stylus ‘plop’ into the groove.

At the end you heard the runout groove, then it muted as you describe. Then once the arm is at rest it unmutes. The conundrum is the hum level increasing slowly. I’m stumped there!

The fact you don’t hear it on one device but do on another must be a change to the grounding path.

Well the photo certainly shows one being used - but:

And that's all he should need (as we would expect, it's all his active speakers need to work perfectly)

Unfortunately, that's the only thing we can currently be sure of.

So it is only apparent when the auto arm return is in operation?
Perhaps that's your answer.
if so not a lot else you can do but change your turntable.
The more complications they add to a deck the bigger potential for things to go wrong, as you are discovering.
Why it only happens through the amp I have no idea but probably has something to do with the means of connection.
Perhaps it dies need a 4 pole plug as you currently have left channel, right channel and earth all going to a 3 pole plug.
Seems like turntable/ amp are incompatible so one has to go

Also, I didn't know if this was supposed to happen but the amp will buzz if any aux cable is connected to it but not connected to another device. If I touch the head of the cable that's connected to the amp, the buzzing will get a bit quieter. The buzzing is much quieter when it's connected to the aforementioned silver-tipped aux. Again, once I connect any of the 4 cables to the dac, the buzzing stops.

 

[Al ears]

Damn, that's a shame. BTW it's not only when the auto arm return is in operation, it's any time the arm is returned to the rest, whether it be through automatic means or manually raising and moving it. Would you guys be able to give any tips for what to look for in a new amp regarding compatibility or maybe suggestions for some? The ability to have both my tt and dac plugged in simultaneously and simply switching between inputs would be really nice, for example, having the tt input through an rca and dac through aux. Thank you for your help I really appreciate it.

I guess a lot will depend in your budget. I have no experience with amplifiers of the price of your Fosi.
Have you actually tried a different turntable with your amp? Probably not but might be worth attempting.
What speakers are you currently using with the Fosi?

 

[Gray]

Also, I didn't know if this was supposed to happen but the amp will buzz if any aux cable is connected to it but not connected to another device.

That happens - not a fault.
(Sound engineers use the finger buzz test to confirm inputs are working).