Help Needed with Connectivity Issue – Only One Speaker Playing

[Maor]

Hello everyone,

I'm facing a connectivity issue with my setup, and I'm struggling to pinpoint which component might be causing the problem. Here’s my current setup:

• Turntable: Bang & Olufsen Beogram 1900
• Speakers: JBL L46
• DAC: Musical Fidelity V-DAC 2
• Amplifier: Cambridge Audio Azur 851A
• Phono Stage: Pro-Ject Phono Box MM

To connect my Beogram 1900 to the phono stage and then to the amplifier, I had to use a 5-pin DIN to RCA adapter. I bought this adapter:

5-pin DIN to RCA Adapter

The problem is that when everything is connected, I only get sound from one speaker.

Does anyone have any ideas on what might be causing this, or how I could troubleshoot it?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I presume you have no other sources connected? If you did and were getting sound through both channels that would eliminate a lot. Assuming you are only using the TT, what happens if you swap the speakers cables over at the amp end only? If the problem switches side, it's with the cable/speaker on one side, but if it stays as is you know it's upwind. Probably unlikely to be a speaker issue though - you'd expect one driver to go if so, but not both.

I think you'd need another source to get further in troubleshooting with any ease - if a CD or tuner plays OK, it's almost certainly upwind of the amp.

 

[Vincent Kars]

The flow is
Beogram > Adapter > Phono > Amp.
Simply swap the RCA of the adapter. If the sound moves to the other channel, either the wiring of the adapter or the Beo is defect.
If the same channel remains silent, swap the RCA on the amp. If the sound moves to the other channel, then phono stage is defective.

 

[Maor]

Here’s a refined version for the forum:

---

Subject: Only One Speaker Playing with Turntable on Azur 851A
Hi Ethics Gradient,
Thanks for your response!
I have another source set up as MacBook -> DAC -> Amp, and I can hear perfectly from both speakers on all inputs (1-7). The issue of hearing only one speaker happens exclusively with the turntable.
Previously, I used a different amplifier with the same turntable setup, and everything worked fine. The changes I’ve made are:

• New amplifier (Cambridge Audio Azur 851A, which has no phono stage)
• New phono stage
• New DIN to RCA adapter for the turntable connection

When I swap the red and white RCA connections, the sound shifts to the other speaker, so I suspect it might be related to settings on the Azur, which I’m still getting used to. However, I’m not sure where the fault lies.
Any further recommendations would be much appreciated!
Thanks again!

 

[Maor]

The flow is
Beogram > Adapter > Phono > Amp.
Simply swap the RCA of the adapter. If the sound moves to the other channel, either the wiring of the adapter or the Beo is defect.
If the same channel remains silent, swap the RCA on the amp. If the sound moves to the other channel, then phono stage is defective.

hello vincent,
thank you for your help!

the sounds moving to the other speaker when i swap the RCAs, i will try to get another phono stage to check if this is the problem

 

[nopiano]

hello vincent,
thank you for your help!

the sounds moving to the other speaker when i swap the RCAs, i will try to get another phono stage to check if this is the problem

Which RCAs are you switching? From phono stage to amp, or adapter to phono stage?

 

[Maor]

Which RCAs are you switching? From phono stage to amp, or adapter to phono stage?

I switched the RCAs adapter to phono stage

 

[Gray]

I switched the RCAs adapter to phono stage

So you now know that your problem is either with the turntable or, more likely, that adaptor.

Although, for what they charged for that simple adaptor, it really didn't ought to be faulty 🤨

 

[Al ears]

So you now know that your problem is either with the turntable or, more likely, that adaptor.

Although, for what they charged for that simple adaptor, it really didn't ought to be faulty 🤨

It might suggest the wiring in that five pin plug is incorrect for the Beogram.

 

[Fandango Andy]

I switched the RCAs adapter to phono stage

Now do the same with the cable between the amp and the phono stage to double check the issue isn't with the amp, phono stage or that cable.

Then you are down to the adaptor or the turntable.

Fist check to make sure there no loose wires on the cartridge.

After that you either need to borrow a turntable, or buy/borrow a new RCA adapter cable.

Good luck

 

[Maor]

It might suggest the wiring in that five pin plug is incorrect for the Beogram.

Thank you AI ears,

I have the same feeling to be honest, even though they do write the beogram 1900 in the list of those it supports and in addition they specify and say that it works for both, 5/7 pin DIN.

I still think its the case.

do you mind sending any link to buy any other adopter which is more reliable?

Thank you in advance

Maor

 

[Maor]

Now do the same with the cable between the amp and the phono stage to double check the issue isn't with the amp, phono stage or that cable.

Then you are down to the adaptor or the turntable.

Fist check to make sure there no loose wires on the cartridge.

After that you either need to borrow a turntable, or buy/borrow a new RCA adapter cable.

Good luck

Hey Andy,

Thank you for your Help!

So i just did and the sound switched to the other speaker even when i changed the RCA that goes to the amp.
no loose wires.

I will try to get another phono stage just to make sure that the problem isn't that.
if it's not I will have to get a new adapter and if its not then I will sadly be going for the TT.
though the TT was working with another amp that didn't need a Phono stage so i guess and hope its still good.


Do you have any recommendations for a nice and reliable Female 5 DIN to 2 Male RCA adapter? or maybe just a reliable website where I can find it?

Thank you for everything !

Best,
Maor

 

[Fandango Andy]

Hey Andy,

Thank you for your Help!

So i just did and the sound switched to the other speaker even when i changed the RCA that goes to the amp.
no loose wires.

I will try to get another phono stage just to make sure that the problem isn't that.
if it's not I will have to get a new adapter and if its not then I will sadly be going for the TT.
though the TT was working with another amp that didn't need a Phono stage so i guess and hope its still good.


Do you have any recommendations for a nice and reliable Female 5 DIN to 2 Male RCA adapter? or maybe just a reliable website where I can find it?

Thank you for everything !

Best,
Maor

No, sorry. Never had any need for one. A quick Google, amazon and ebay have lots. Unless you get a recommendation from someone who has one the best I can suggest is read the feedback on amazon/ebay to look for comments saying they work, or don't work.

I would also post a question in the turntable lp section asking people with Bang & Olufsen Beogram what adapters they have.

 

[nopiano]

Hey Andy,

Thank you for your Help!

So i just did and the sound switched to the other speaker even when i changed the RCA that goes to the amp.
no loose wires.

I will try to get another phono stage just to make sure that the problem isn't that.
if it's not I will have to get a new adapter and if its not then I will sadly be going for the TT.
though the TT was working with another amp that didn't need a Phono stage so i guess and hope its still good.


Do you have any recommendations for a nice and reliable Female 5 DIN to 2 Male RCA adapter? or maybe just a reliable website where I can find it?

Thank you for everything !

Best,
Maor

How old is the Beogram? Cartridge connectors are often frail and could easily just need a gentle tweak to reconnect. I think yours has the modular plugin type cartridge fitting, and must be 40+ years old. IMHO that’s the weakest link.

Do you know how to remove and refit it?

The adapter is unlikely to be faulty, but if you can, unscrew the barrels of each phono plug to make sure the cables haven’t accidentally been pulled loose/unsoldered.

PS. You’ve eliminated the phono stage so it’s pointless changing that. You need to think logically what each change achieves!

 

[Al ears]

How old is the Beogram? Cartridge connectors are often frail and could easily just need a gentle tweak to reconnect. I think yours has the modular plugin type cartridge fitting, and must be 40+ years old. IMHO that’s the weakest link.

Do you know how to remove and refit it?

The adapter is unlikely to be faulty, but if you can, unscrew the barrels of each phono plug to make sure the cables haven’t accidentally been pulled loose/unsoldered.

PS. You’ve eliminated the phono stage so it’s pointless changing that. You need to think logically what each change achieves!

Slim possibility I guess but until you know how that DIN plug in the Beogram has been wired then it's still possible the adapter isn't wired the same way. Always was a problem with DIN plugs unfortunately.

 

[Gray]

It might suggest the wiring in that five pin plug is incorrect for the Beogram.

It might well do
Though, according to where it came from, they say the socket can accept 5 or 7 pin turntable plugs - and they list all the many Beo models it's suitable for.
You'd hope the thing was appropriately wired, seeing as it cost more than 26 Euros for something that, in reality, is worth less than 5.

 

[Gray]

You’ve eliminated the phono stage so it’s pointless changing that. You need to think logically what each change achieves!

That's the message.
When you make a swap Maor, think about what it is that you're actually doing

In post #4, you said,
'Previously, I used a different amplifier with the same turntable setup, and everything worked fine'.
That was presumably with its DIN plug direct to a B&O amp?, so without the adaptor.
You need to confirm the plug wiring.
See your other thread:

'Help with Finding the Right 5-Pin DIN to RCA Cable'​

 

[nopiano]

Slim possibility I guess but until you know how that DIN plug in the Beogram has been wired then it's still possible the adapter isn't wired the same way. Always was a problem with DIN plugs unfortunately.

True, though I was relying upon the fact that the Beogram 1900 was specifically mentioned in the adapter specs, and that it had worked previously into a different system.

It’s a real vintage deck, almost as old as me, so almost anything could fail! 🤣

 

[Al ears]

True, though I was relying upon the fact that the Beogram 1900 was specifically mentioned in the adapter specs, and that it had worked previously into a different system.

It’s a real vintage deck, almost as old as me, so almost anything could fail! 🤣

True. However he said he tried the turntable with a different amplifier. He didn't specifically say the adapter was also employed in that set-up, unless I missed that somehow.
Perhaps he might clarify.....

 

[nopiano]

True. However he said he tried the turntable with a different amplifier. He didn't specifically say the adapter was also employed in that set-up, unless I missed that somehow.
Perhaps he might clarify.....

Yes, the adapter is the new thing. I’m curious now what amp had DIN phono inputs, but it could have been a matching B&O perhaps?

 

[Fandango Andy]

Yes, the adapter is the new thing. I’m curious now what amp had DIN phono inputs, but it could have been a matching B&O perhaps?

All B&O from the 70s and 80s seem to have the and, they just plug into a Beocenter.

 

[WWWeary]

Simple continuity testing with a multimeter will identify any broken connections in the adapter.

 

[Al ears]

Simple continuity testing with a multimeter will identify any broken connections in the adapter.

It will not tell you if the incorrect pins are wired though, although having said that it will indeed tell you which pins are wired. Who owns a multimeter these days though?

 

[Gray]

It will not tell you if the incorrect pins are wired though, although having said that it will indeed tell you which pins are wired. Who owns a multimeter these days though?

Yes it will tell you what pins are wired in the adaptor👍
But that's only handy of course, once the OP knows for sure, which pins are connected in the plug.

He could use the same multimeter to test from (disconnected) cartridge wires to the plug pins.....and then be 100% certain.

 

[WWWeary]

It will not tell you if the incorrect pins are wired though, although having said that it will indeed tell you which pins are wired. Who owns a multimeter these days though?

It won't tell you how compatibly wired the adapter is, but it will tell you if there's a breach in connectivity. I'm not an electrician but have always had enough projects on the go or in mind to justify owning a reliable multimeter, guess it's just one of those either you do or you don't things though.