Classic Sig. motor noise
Hi, VPI folks.
I'm looking for advice on what to do about a background noise issue. In a nutshell, I hear the motor running through my speakers (and more-so through headphones). It's mostly noticable in quiet passages/lead-in/runout. So it's tolerable (I've been living with it a while) but it definitely needs to go away.
Troubleshooting to date:
It goes up and down with the volume control.
Different inputs, amps, speakers vs phones, all investigated. It's definitely the turntable.
It crosses a range of frequencies (according to an iphone spectrum app). There are "humps" around 180Hz and 300Hz (or perhaps, 300 rpm?) but no big spikes at 60 or 120Hz.
It's ONLY audible when the motor is running AND the stylus is down on the record surface.
It's audible REGARDLESS of whether the belt is attached, so that rules out the platter bearing.
I replaced the capacitor to cure the dreaded startup "pop." I lost the old one.
Full disclosure, I'm WAY overdue for routine maintenance. I bought the table used in '19 and I've never lubed the motor. The previous owner clearly did, because a bead of what looks like old motor oil has slowly crept up the shaft and formed a bead between the top of the motor assembly and the pulley.
So... have I let this motor go to hell through neglect? I'm fairly handy -- can I clean/fix it without breaking whatever damping system is (supposed to be) keeping motor vibrations away from the platter? Or is this a repair shop kinda thing?
Thanks!
No worries! Thank you for the extremely detailed and thoughtful reply.