Grounding A Turntable: The Only Guide You Will Ever Need

The dream of every audiophile is to build a hi-fi vinyl stereo system. It is a little complex process to properly connect all the audio equipment of the vinyl system at the beginning. 

In this process, some issues pop up, one such is the unwanted noise as soon as you turn on the turntable.

If you have bought a new turntable and encountered an annoying buzzing or humming noise then the culprit is the ground loop and not your turntable. It is same as ground or earthing in electrical engineering.

What is a turntable ground loop?

Before knowing, how to ground a turntable first we need to understand what are the ground loop and the importance of grounding a turntable.

The ground loop is the term used for the buzz or hum sound produced when the record is played on the turntable.

It occurs when two or more separate devices are connected to different AC outlets and interconnected to each other by another path which creates a potential difference between the grounds and creates a ground loop. When the ground loop is created the current flows in unexpected directions.

In our hi-fi vinyl audio setup, the turntable, receiver, or amplifier are interconnected using an RCA cable to transfer the audio signal and get power from different AC outlets which causes the ground loops. This unintended current flow causes a “humming” sound as soon as we switch on the turntable.

The reasons for ground loops to occur are inaccurate or no grounding, defective cables, or loose connections.

Why ground a turntable?

This is essential for all turntable setups and is done primarily for two reasons:

Grounding for the safety 

Generally, grounding is done to protect your equipment from sudden power surges. The turntables are made up of conducting materials so, in case of unanticipated power surges the extra voltage is transferred to the ground, thus, grounding prevents you from getting an electric shock on touching the equipment. 

Grounding for the sound quality

The cartridge of the turntable is sensitive to small vibrations which capture the intricate grooves of the record.  When the ground loop is formed in the vinyl setup, it interferes with the actual vibrations of the record captured by the cartridge, thus causing a buzzing sound.

Grounding is essential to prevent this interference and enjoy the best possible sound quality.

Is it necessary to ground a turntable?

Turntables that come with ground wire then it is required to connect with the amplifier or power speakers. If your system has an external preamp then the ground wire should be connected to the ground terminal of the preamp.

Turntables that have a built-in preamp are generally grounded and external grounding is not required. 

If your turntable is making an unwanted noise and it does not have a built-in preamp and the ground cable is also not provided then external grounding is required connecting the turntable and amplifier (receiver).

Steps to understand how to ground a turntable

While setting up a turntable, we also need to keep in mind the grounding of a turntable. The following steps can be followed for the same:

Step 1: Turn off the turntable and the amplifier (receiver).

It is always advisable to turn off all the devices to prevent your ear from hearing unwanted intense noises and also a safety precaution.

Step 2: Find the turntable grounding wire.

The grounding wire on the turntable is an unconnected wire with a copper spade connector at the end so that you can connect it to the grounding terminal of the other device. The spade connector is a fork-shaped flat metal piece that you can slide into the terminal and fasten the screw to fix it.

If you cannot find this wire, check underneath the chassis of the turntable, sometimes it is bundled and tucked there. If it is present there, unbundle it.

Step 3: Locate the grounding terminal on the receiver or amplifier.

The ground terminal on the receiver (amplifier) is the rough screw-like knob that is present at the back, mostly with a marking of ‘Ground’ or ‘GND’. After, you have found the grounding terminal, loose the screw or knob.

Step 4: Connect the grounding wire with the grounding terminal of the amplifier

Bring the turntable and receiver or amplifier close to the range of ground wire so that it can be easily connected. Now, join the spade connector of the grounding wire to the grounding terminal of the receiver or amplifier and tighten the knob with limited force. 

Step 5: Turn on the turntable and amplifier

Check the system if the humming sound is faded or still present.

What if my turntable does not have a grounding wire?

Don’t worry. You can easily resolve this by purchasing a turntable grounding wire, which is readily available in the market. This wire typically has connector spades on both ends.

Connect one end of the grounding wire to the metal part of your turntable’s chassis. You can secure it using a gaffer tape or by unfastening one of the screws, attaching the connector, and then tightening the screw.

The other end of the grounding wire should be connected to the grounding terminal on your receiver or amplifier. 

If your receiver doesn’t have a grounding option, you can still connect it by affixing the wire to a metal part of the receiver using gaffer tape or connecting it to one of the available screws. This ensures a proper ground connection for your turntable, enhancing audio quality and reducing interference.

Conclusion

The grounding is not needed only in the turntables with built-in preamp. 

In conclusion, having some know-how about your vinyl audio setup can help you troubleshoot common issues. By following the steps in this guide, you can confidently ground your turntable, which can significantly enhance audio quality. 

The satisfaction of experiencing the crisp and distortion free music from your favorite vinyl record after grounding is the reward of your efforts.

It is always advisable to ground your turntable for the safety purpose as well as for enjoying noise free warm music of the vinyl’s.

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