Phono needs a ground to prevent ground loops. A ground loop is a type of electrical interference that can cause humming and buzzing in your audio system. It is often caused by a discrepancy in the grounding of different components in your system.
Turntables are particularly susceptible to ground loops because they are metal and they have a moving part (the platter). The metal chassis of the turntable can act as an antenna and pick up electrical noise from the environment. The moving platter can also generate electrical noise.
If the turntable is not properly grounded, this noise can be introduced into the audio signal. This can cause a humming or buzzing sound in your speakers.
To ground a turntable, you need to connect a ground wire from the turntable to the ground terminal on your amplifier or receiver. The ground terminal is usually a metal screw or post that is labeled “ground” or “GND”.
If you are using an external phono preamp, you should connect the ground wire from the turntable to the ground terminal on the phono preamp. The phono preamp should then be connected to the ground terminal on your amplifier or receiver.
How to troubleshoot a ground loop
If you are experiencing a ground loop, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Make sure that all of your components are properly grounded. This includes your turntable, phono preamp, amplifier, and receiver.
- Try using a different ground wire. Some ground wires are better at shielding against noise than others.
- Try moving your turntable to a different location. If your turntable is near a source of electrical noise, such as a computer or a fluorescent light, try moving it to a different location.
- Use a ground loop isolator. A ground loop isolator is a device that can help to eliminate ground loops.
If you have tried all of the above troubleshooting steps and you are still experiencing a ground loop, you may need to consult with a qualified audio technician.
Grounding your turntable is important to prevent ground loops and improve the sound quality of your vinyl playback system. If you are experiencing a ground loop, try the troubleshooting steps above. If you are still having problems, consult with a qualified audio technician.
