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Contributor I
Dec 28, 2021 11:42 PM UTC

turntable with low hum

just set up the Sonos 5 speaker. Our existing turntable and Optimus amp work just fine on our old speaker. We wanted to upgrade to the Sonos 5… but when hooked up, there is a terrible low hum that gets louder with volume increase and is persistent when the record is finished or in-between songs when there is no sound. 

the grounding wire is fine and like I say, does NOT have the buzz with the older speakers. 

So what are we doing wrong? Or is our system no compatible with the Sonos 5? 

We do NOT get the buzz with any of the other features, meaning the streaming music, etc. Only when using the record player. 

If we can’t fix I guess we just go back to the old speakers because that hum is giving us a headache. 

 

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12 replies

Lead Maestro
Dec 29, 2021 8:01 AM UTC

What model turntable are you using?

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Contributor I
Dec 29, 2021 1:48 PM UTC

Pioneer 1978. Mint condition.

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ratty
Dec 29, 2021 2:07 PM UTC

Where’s the grounding wire? On the TT itself or on a preamp? 

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Contributor I
Dec 29, 2021 2:55 PM UTC

Not sure what TT is but the grounding wire goes from the turntable to the amp. 

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ratty
Dec 29, 2021 3:02 PM UTC

TT = turntable.

Amp or preamp? When connecting a turntable to a Five you’d just need a preamp. Kindly describe what’s connected to what. Is there a main amp still in the picture? Is there an external ground anywhere? 

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Contributor I
Dec 29, 2021 3:15 PM UTC

The turntable is from 1978. Doesn’t have a preamp. Has grounding wire connected (not removable) coming from back of TT as well as the red and white connectors that are also going into the amp at the “phono” connection. Grounding wire to the amp as well. It is a Optimus SA-155 integrated stereo amplifier. Then amp is connected to the Sonos 5 via a “speakers” red and white (R/L) cord. 

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Contributor I
Dec 29, 2021 3:17 PM UTC

 

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ratty
Dec 29, 2021 3:20 PM UTC

You shouldn’t be using a ‘speakers’ output at all. It’s a wonder that the Five’s input wasn’t overloaded. The Five expects a line level signal.

Try using the Tape Out instead.

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Contributor I
Dec 29, 2021 4:14 PM UTC

Ok. So using the “tape out” we have to turn the volume up to 88 to hear at a low/medium volume. The low hum is still there, just quite a bit quieter. Still annoying to the ear unfortunately. 

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ratty
Dec 29, 2021 4:52 PM UTC

From the photo you appear to have the amp set for a ceramic cartridge. Is that really what’s fitted to the turntable? I haven’t seen one in decades. 

The amp itself is pretty ancient. The turntable is grounded to the amp but it doesn’t look like the amp is grounded to the electrical supply. 

 

By the way the Five’s Line-In does have an adjustable sensitivity. See Source Level in its room settings. 

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