Question Static electricity? Crackling sound when raising lever after playing record

[freddyonderstal]

I have the Argon Audio TT4 Mk2 for a month now. It's a fantastic player!

Today I suddenly noticed that when I use the cueing lever to raise the tonearm, I hear a crackling sound that sounds like static electricity.

The turntable is grounded; the wire for that is connected to the speaker, which has an amplifier inside.

Is this static electricity or something else? How can I fix this? I see it's only in the lever; it's not touching the tonearm when this crackling sound is heard.
Most of the time the sound is only there after a couple of minutes playing.
When I drop the lever and raise is again, the sound is not noticeable. Play a full record; the sound is there again.
Argon says it’s the dampening fluid.

You can hear it in the video too.
Anyone can tell me what this is?

When you watch the video, turn up the volume.

 

[camcroft]

I have the Argon Audio TT4 Mk2 for a month now. It's a fantastic player!

Today I suddenly noticed that when I use the cueing lever to raise the tonearm, I hear a crackling sound that sounds like static electricity.

The turntable is grounded; the wire for that is connected to the speaker, which has an amplifier inside.

Is this static electricity or something else? How can I fix this? I see it's only in the lever; it's not touching the tonearm when this crackling sound is heard.
Most of the time the sound is only there after a couple of minutes playing.
When I drop the lever and raise is again, the sound is not noticeable. Play a full record; the sound is there again.
Argon says it’s the dampening fluid.

You can hear it in the video too.
Anyone can tell me what this is?

When you watch the video, turn up the volume.

Has the turntable got it's own phono stage?

 

[freddyonderstal]

Has the turntable got it's own phono stage?

Yes and it’s turned off cause my speakers have builtin amp

 

[camcroft]

Yes and it’s turned off cause my speakers have builtin amp

My speakers have got a built in amp but I still use a phono stage between the turntable and speakers. Otherwise your speakers must have a built in phono stage or you would't be able to play the turntable through them. I can hear a humming sound as well like you get from a bad earth.

 

[daytona600]

Assume you are using active speakers with a built in phono stage
Do your speakers have a earth/Ground to connect 3wire from the turntable

Could be static charge on records - use a record brush with a ground cable / connect to earth/ground
RCM only true way to get rid of static
Quick zap with Milty Zerostat or plasma arc ciggie lighter ( keep away from electronics )

 

[freddyonderstal]

Assume you are using active speakers with a built in phono stage
Do your speakers have a earth/Ground to connect 3wire from the turntable

Could be static charge or records - use a record brush with a ground cable / connect to earth/ground

I have active speakers. They are connected to the turntable with a ground cable. Checked it and it’s secured.

Argon Audio says it’s the dampening fluid, but I’m not sure. I can only hear the short crackling sound after playing a record. With all the records I have it’s the same.
When the TT is off, I can’t hear it when dropping and lifting the lever.

Is this a reason to send this TT back and ask a new one or can this do no harm?

 

[daytona600]

Quick google - is the platter matt made of Felt
The devils work for Static Try a anti-Static platter mat Cork , Cork/Rubber
Or Anti Static record brush Eg Thunderon Conductive Record Brush or Brush grounded to speakers

 

[Al ears]

I have active speakers. They are connected to the turntable with a ground cable. Checked it and it’s secured.

Argon Audio says it’s the dampening fluid, but I’m not sure. I can only hear the short crackling sound after playing a record. With all the records I have it’s the same.
When the TT is off, I can’t hear it when dropping and lifting the lever.

Is this a reason to send this TT back and ask a new one or can this do no harm?

annoying as it may be it's hardly likely to do any harm.
Try wrapping some insulating tape around that arm lift lever and see what happens then.
From your first post it looks like it hasn't done this from the outset though, is that correct?
I can only assume that your active speakers are actually grounded too?