Denon DP-52F noisy

[runnin17]

[Moved from another post]

I bought an old Denon DP-52F a few years ago at an estate sale. Got it pretty cheap (I think around $75). It is in fairly good shape and I finally decided to unpack it when I saw that sexy DP80. All the functions work really well so essentially this was a steal. However, when playing an LP there is a fair amount of what I would describe as "motor noise".

I currently have it playing through my old Yamaha integrated via the built in MM phono stage. There is still a lot of hum even when the DP-52F is powered off, so I am wondering if is maybe just the phono stage. I will tinker around with it a bit and probably use my iPhono preamp once I decide to move some stuff around and adjust the settings on the iPhono.

Any suggestions? Should I try to find a local reputable audio repair shop and have them service it? When I first got it, I opened it up and tried to do a cursory cleaning with some canned air. The innards seemed clean enough, but that was just me doing a quick check.

It has been suggested that this might be a ground loop issue. So when I get a chance I will check that to see if it is the problem.

[audio bill]

I'm a little confused since you initially described the problem as motor noise but then as likely being hum from a possible ground loop. Motor noise is typically heard as a rumble or grinding sound, but hum can be caused from a ground loop or improper grounding of the table/arm combination. Do you have the ground wire from the table connected to the phono stage ground post? That's something you can easily experiment with, sometimes it's best connected and other times floating. Trying another phono stage can be a good way to troubleshoot the issue.

[runnin17]

Thanks for the description of what motor hum normally sounds like. After I tinkered around with the grounding the noise is much improved.

I have a feeling this is partly due to the phono stage of my yamaha a-s801. My iPhono has a bad right channel when using the MM input (my Hitachi TT has a Denon 103R cartridge and the MC input on my iPhono works perfect).

So overall I think I have somewhat narrowed down the issue. I think also given that the cartridge on the DP-52F is a Pickering D625 it probably needs a better cartridge. When comparing the sound to my Hitachi with the 103R there is a night and day difference.

I guess in the end I will look into possibly upgrading to a better phono stage. That will have to wait I think as I don't have much wiggle room in the budget currently

There is a local shop nearby that I talked to and said they have experience servicing the older Denon TT's. So in the end I might take it by and see what a quick tune up would cost.

[Bluehusky79]

You might want to try a Emotiva XPS, very reasonably priced both new and used. For under $200, saved my Denon turntable. Outstanding warm, realistic sound.

[runnin17]

I have seen that emotiva phono preamp. I have some experience with emotiva gear. I consider most of their stuff too bright. So the XPS-1 is pretty good?

[Bluehusky79]

I am very pleased with mine. As our a few folks that I referred it to. Not much to lose by trying, can buy direct or on Amazon so I been told. Good luck.

[Masterlu]

Bluehusky79... Welcome to AA!

[runnin17]

I am happy to report that I found a combination that seems to have eliminated the hum that I was experiencing. I definitely think it was a ground-loop issue as some futzing with the ground wire and RCA connectors fixes the problem.

I also picked up a cheap Denon PMA-500v integrated that I am using solely for the phono inputs. The pre-out is almost dead silent and it has a subsonic filter on the phono stage that seems to help a great deal. Anyway, for now I will stick with this combo.

My Hitachi with the Denon 103R is definitely my go to TT, but it is always fun to play around with something new