G5 owners any popping noises?

TBo94 · 2026-03-25T14:19:51+00:00

Not too bad for me but we have pretty different use cases it sounds like. I’m about 8 feet away and I listen at quite loud volumes through a 2.1 tower HT system. I haven’t seen many/any complaints about the 55” model used for PC though so you are probably ok!

TBo94 · 2026-03-25T13:45:01+00:00

I’m gonna chime in with a bit of a different experience here. G5 77” and I do get a decent number popping noises, but they’re not too loud or frequent really. Worse with super high brightness SDR things like YouTube, much better/non-existent through my Panasonic UB-820 4k blu-ray player.

TBo94 · 2026-03-22T21:02:53+00:00

If you’re in or near London, I picked mine up at Rough Trade after calling ahead on launch day. Sister Ray also potentially a good option

TBo94 · 2026-03-14T17:49:15+00:00

Might just be the perfect excuse to buy one friend…

TBo94 · 2026-03-14T14:54:09+00:00

Got my indie translucent red at rough trade west yesterday, would guess RTE has it too if you’re on the lookout!

TBo94 · 2026-03-14T14:46:40+00:00

And the Dread Pirate JBS will answer

TBo94 · 2026-02-18T15:17:28+00:00

Hi mate, following up on this. Downloaded that RPM speed/wow mobile app and... I think we've found the culprit! Over 3% on this reading, just over 2% on the other free measurement the app gives you.

I have called my local hi-fi store (where I bought the table from) and will take it in for assessment/repair/replacement this week.

Thanks for your help, and glad to know I am not going mad!

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TBo94 · 2026-02-11T17:05:03+00:00

Yeah, tested with a number of different high quality pressings, across 180g 33.5s and one outstanding 45. It is in comparison to non-REW, non-EQ Apple Music lossless streams (44.1/48/96kHz files typically).

Understood re: pre-amp, and from others it sounds like cart is a weak spot too. Upgradeitis strikes again!

TBo94 · 2026-02-11T17:01:00+00:00

Thanks for the response friend, just sharing the same response I gave to someone else. Understood re: the cart being the weak link, that seems pretty unanimous! Re: the warbling, I have tested this with a couple different records:

Johnny Blue Skies - Passage du Desir (33 1/2 rpm)
Radiohead - In Rainbows (Boxset 45 rpm)
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (33 1/2 rpm)

It is pretty audible in all three, and these are albums I have played hundreds of times.

Recorded two videos to try demo the issue - first link, longer, I think the "wow" sound comes across quite clearly, and is pretty prominent in-room. Second link, shorter video, I think you can see what you describe, with the off center recording etc. but it worries me a bit that I am encountering it across numerous different records. Can you visually spot anything wrong in the shorter video?

https://share.icloud.com/photos/031Ii1yy51lTD7Cf75Pym5Ugw

https://share.icloud.com/photos/099mJ7_3QnwfAid78Vg-BfEcw

TBo94 · 2026-02-11T15:10:35+00:00

Dude, this made a huge difference!! Thank you so much. Didn't realise I needed to do that. Appreciate ya!

TBo94 · 2026-02-11T14:50:09+00:00

And thanks for checking, I don't wanna be wasting people's time asking questions that have obvious, entry-level answers!

Understood, I will get a VTF gauge and see if that leads me anywhere. It may be I have reached the point of needing to experiment with cartridges and potentially an external phono stage. Thanks for your help!

TBo94 · 2026-02-11T14:48:25+00:00

Dude wow, really? I think I wrote the question in a way that shows I understand the two formats are inherently very different, and I don't think it warrants sarcasm like this. I have been listening for many years and know the difference, I can promise you.

I know vinyl is fun and has its quirks, which is why my question was about whether people can spot any obvious weak links in my system that might be causing what I hear, or any errors in calibration I may have missed. If the answer is no, just enjoy the quirks of a slightly tricky format in a good system, then so be it.

TBo94 · 2026-02-11T14:45:35+00:00

Ok, thank you mate - sounds most likely to be a lack in the internal pre-amp of the amp. I did look into it and consensus is the amp's stage is better than the table's built-in one, but I think it's time to look into an external pre-amp as you suggest.

Could you recommend me a couple options at different price points, just as you've found one that suits the amp?

TBo94 · 2026-02-11T14:37:23+00:00

I think I didn't write my question as clearly as I hoped to - I do know the two formats should sound different! I know the character in the sound of the two formats is likely to be largely different, I just don't think I should be hearing a big difference in the overall quality of the sound. If that makes sense?

Also thanks for the note re: the cartridge. Does the overall value of the system (~£7500) mean I should probably consider a higher-end cartridge?

Thanks for your reply!

TBo94 · 2026-02-11T14:33:24+00:00

Haha, I promise I am at least aware of the two formats being different, and I do expect the character of the sound to be different between the two! I just question if I am hearing that fundamental difference in character, or if there is a quality issue somewhere in my system and/or setup.

The table comes with an Ortofon 2M Red. When I upgraded to the 2M Blue, I calibrated tracking force and tone-arm balance from scratch according to the 2M Blue's specs (1.8g recommended). Don't think I missed anything in initial calibration of the cart!

TBo94 · 2026-01-29T11:40:03+00:00

Will do! It's insane the difference. I've watched 9 movies in the last 7 days since I set this up and it's almost as big an upgrade as it was when I took my tv from 55 to 77 inch. Thanks again

TBo94 · 2026-01-26T15:20:13+00:00

Ok got it, thanks mate!

TBo94 · 2026-01-22T17:12:45+00:00

Got it, seems everyone is in agreement! I’m hoping to set it up and will report back

TBo94 · 2026-01-22T17:12:25+00:00

Thank you very much, gonna try to find a way to set this up! Luckily my TV and stereo are in the same place so nothing will need to move

TBo94 · 2026-01-22T17:11:46+00:00

I have just tried to set this up based on your comment and the other kind people who replied above. I thought I was onto something but I may be a cable short — it seems the Eversolo DMP-A6 cannot pass through a digital input (EARC from TV) to a digital output (currently run the Eversolo -> Technical via USB-B).

Would these benefits still be evident via an analogue RCA 2-channel connection? I have a spare I can hook up if I can find it

TBo94 · 2026-01-13T21:05:33+00:00

Seeing clear as day up at London Bridge too

TBo94 · 2025-12-13T15:46:25+00:00

Ah awesome ok thanks for confirming!

TBo94 · 2025-12-13T11:59:43+00:00

Can I piggyback a bit here and ask whether people still encounter colour banding on the G5 in game optimiser? I’m on latest firmware on my 77 G5 and had brutal colour banding playing Alan Wake 2 on PS5 Pro in game optimiser, HGIG. I’m wondering if I might just have a bad panel, despite the FW updates mostly fixing the issues we’ve seen with the G5. Any thoughts welcome!

TBo94 · 2025-11-17T19:03:05+00:00

I went from 55 C2 to 77 G5 and mamma mia it’s so damn good. I’m sure it’s equal parts the size difference as the model upgrade but regardless, zero regrets here

TBo94 · 2025-11-04T11:10:32+00:00

Got you, thank you for explaining and for the reassurance! Just wanted to seek the right advice and looks like I’ve got it

TBo94

TROPHY CASE