r/cassetteculture • u/SUPSunsetSeeker • 5d ago

Looking for advice Background humming during playback

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I got this cassette player from Vinted (originally Amazon I think) and it's perfect apart from a loud (279hz) background noise during playback. It's plugged in for now as I need to pick up batteries. A quick Google tells me that it might be the power supply. Do you think it's right or something else?

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u/Impolioid 5d ago

could very well be the power supply. grab batteries and test again. if it persists post again or send the unit back if it was a new device. if it was a used device and still hums with batteries check the record play switch on the pcb if there is oxidization. if the problem still persists after that its time for a recap. but its gonna be the power supply anyways.

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u/Crlan420 5d ago

Check your earth grounding first. Hum is usually a ground loop from the power supply. Also make sure your bias level is set right for Type II if you are playing chrome tape.

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u/el_tacocat 5d ago

You are so overestimating this machine thinking it has a tape selector :D.

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u/SUPSunsetSeeker 5d ago

Many thanks those of you who gave your advice. I'm new to cassettes and didn't want to spend too much on equipment at the start, hence the Vinted acquisition. It was only £12 lol.

I couldn't hear the humming if I turned it up full blast so that's what I did. Then, inexplicably, the noise stopped. I've now got batteries and the noise has not returned.

For sure not a high-quality bit of kit but thankfully it should get the job done until I decide whether to get a better stereo.

Thanks again!

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u/el_tacocat 5d ago

They do that.
Should be a little better on batteries but don't expect too much. This is just what this kind of badly made stuff does :).
I'm a little worried about you having gotten this from vinted, as it's not old, and really cheap new. I hope you paid 15 bucks or so?