3010 low sound output

[70shovelhead]

I first thought the amp had issues or needed recapped but after a little trouble shooting I don't believe so. What happened is awhile back the sound output started to decrease and progressively got lower and lower. I decided to isolate the amp so I removed the RCA inputs and connected my MP3 via an aux cord and manually actuated the mute switch. No problem with the amp. It will rattle the windows at full volume. Tone and balance controls work fine. So from here I have checked all wiring up to the cartridge. I am using a Sonotone 9t with a pretty new stylus. Can anyone shed some light if I'm looking at the right place, what to check on the cart or should I replace it? Speaker wires are connected to the highest output terminals on the amp. I get about 1/3 the volume I do with another source connected to the amp. Help!!

[Ron Rich]

From what you have written--cart is failing-- Ron Rich

[70shovelhead]

Thanks for the reply.I have a Stanton RS500DJ which is a magnetic cart. The manual for this amp calls for a ceramic cart so will it hurt or even work to use the Stanton. It came from another juke and is wired ready to plug in, just need to get a new stylus for it.

[Ron Rich]

Not with-out adding a pre-amp ! Ron Rich

[70shovelhead]

Makes sense. Thanks

[70shovelhead]

Makes sense.
Can you successfully test a ceramic cartridge for continuity with an ohmmeter as you can a magnetic cartridge?

[Ron Rich]

Not really a "good" test-- Ron Rich

[robnyc]

Apr 8, 2018 16:58:09 GMT 70shovelhead said:

Makes sense.
Can you successfully test a ceramic cartridge for continuity with an ohmmeter as you can a magnetic cartridge?

No. A ceramic is electrically the same as a ceramic capacitor. Unless it is contaminated with moisture it will read as open-infinite.  Use the low-AC function of your meter while playing a record. you should see about 100-200 millivolts on each RCA plug.  Ceramic carts do not last much longer than 15-20 years and often less in intense jukebox use, so it is time for a replacement.

I used Pickering DAT or NPAC carts -the earlier versions of what you are now considering.

Some things to check:

1) The magnetic cart is heavier than the original ceramic. it is often necessary to add weight to the pocket at the adjustment end of the tonearm. I glued a bolt or couple of washers there and that was enough to bring the balance with the adjustment range.

2) the shell of those carts has a tiny grounding strap from one of the pins on the cert. that must be removed of a ground loop and hum will result.

3) Wurlitzer used two RCA cables but brought both grounds to one pin on the arch socket. With the high gain needed for a magnetic cart, there should be two discreet runs back to the preamp -no shared grounds from cart to RCA plugs.

4) You may have to take a slight amount off the brush to clear the stylus.

5) The trip switch should be adjusted so that it only loads the tonearm when it is near the trip spiral. that is easier with those later mechs and the switch they used.

6) The output from the added preamp --may-- be too hot for the input of the amp and cause distortion. This was a problem on the earlier models that used the lower output 8T cart, but I didn't have it on the later ones. It is easy to add a dual pot between preamp and amp to trim the output of the preamp if this becomes a problem.

7) Make sure the tonearm bearings are free but not loose and aim for no more than 4 grams tracking. if all is correct 3 gm should be fine.

I know this sounds like a lot, but most of these are quick and one-time. the results are well worth it.

RobNYC

[70shovelhead]

New Pfanstiehl P-132 and stylus did the trick. The old Sonotone was even creating a very noticeable hum which is no longer present. I forgot how loud this 3010 would play. Thanks for the replies and the help.

[Ron Rich]

I phiggured it might work --glad you gottit ! Ron Rich