Channel Imbalance on C2300

[Progfan2112]

So for a couple months now, I've noticed that the left channel is slightly louder than the right, but only when I play records. I thought it was a tube going bad but when I swapped out the tubes, it still had the same issue. It's not a *huge* imbalance, but I always turn the balance to the right by two clicks when playing records. I thought maybe it was an issue with my cartridge so I completely reinstalled it. The azimuth was off by a little bit but not significantly so. I switched the cable channels from L to R and the imbalance moved to the right channel so I'm assuming it's something with the preamp. Anybody know what the cause might be or why it's only happening when playing LPs? I only use the MC input so I'm not sure if it's also an issue on the MM or not. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Progfan2112

So for a couple months now, I've noticed that the left channel is slightly louder than the right, but only when I play records. I thought it was a tube going bad but when I swapped out the tubes, it still had the same issue. It's not a *huge* imbalance, but I always turn the balance to the right by two clicks when playing records. I thought maybe it was an issue with my cartridge so I completely reinstalled it. The azimuth was off by a little bit but not significantly so. I switched the cable channels from L to R and the imbalance moved to the right channel so I'm assuming it's something with the preamp. Anybody know what the cause might be or why it's only happening when playing LPs? I only use the MC input so I'm not sure if it's also an issue on the MM or not. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

When you say you switched the cable channels can you be a bit more specific about what you mean? I'm thinking your swapped the left and right interconnects (putting left into right and vice versa) and when you did that the imbalance moved to the right channel. Is my thinking correct?

[Progfan2112]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

When you say you switched the cable channels can you be a bit more specific about what you mean? I'm thinking your swapped the left and right interconnects (putting left into right and vice versa) and when you did that the imbalance moved to the right channel. Is my thinking correct?

Hi Freddie, yes, that is correct.

[FreddieFerric]

Steve, because the imbalance moved from left to right when you swapped the IC's around convinces me it's not the preamp. If your TT allows you to use different IC's I'd first suggest you try that. If your TT has internally wired IC's I'd first check them carefully for any nicks or bends/breaks in the cable itself. If everything checks out there then I'd look to make sure the connectors on the back of the cartridge are tight and secure. If you still have the problem it may be in the cartridge itself.

How many hours are on the cartridge? A bit too much wear on the left channel from improper alignment might account for this. Do you have a spare cartridge that you could mount to see it the problems continues even then? I don't say this lightly knowing how much a PITA it is to mount one properly.

Another idea would be to try the setup running through a separate phono stage if you have one handy or have a friend that could lend one to you.

[Progfan2112]

Thanks for the suggestions, Freddie. As luck would have it, I'm on vacation for the next week so I'll have plenty of time to experiment. I would guesstimate that I have 600 hours on my cart, but I might try swapping it out for another as well. I'd like to start with the different IC but I don't have one with a ground to connect to the preamp. I'll search around the house to see if I have a spare one for my turntable (VPI Scoutmaster).

[Charles]

To me the first thing to do is determine by using a test record and also a test CD, if on a continuous tone (s), there is a discrepancy in the needles between channel meters, and is it consistent with what you are hearing?

[kingofstoneage]

I guess it is a cable problem!