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Troubleshooting Problems
Here are some things to try when troubleshooting the SpinBase. If you still experience a problem, please let us know.
Identifying unwanted noise or volume issues first
1. Disconnect the turntable or any other inputs. Is the noise still there?
2. Connect to it as a Bluetooth speaker from your phone and play audio. Is the problem still there?
3. If you are hearing unwanted noise with all inputs disconnected, also check for devices that might be within a few feet such as a Modem or Router. This might be causing interference. You may need to move the SpinBase a few feet away, or move the device causing interference.
4. If everything else fails, try connecting a pair of headphones in the back. Is that working as expected?
Connecting a Turntable
IMPORTANT: Does your turntable have a PreAmp?
The back of the turntable would have two sets of outputs. Line Out and Phono. There would also be a switch to choose Line or Phono.
If your turntable DOES NOT have a PreAmp.Connect it to the magnetic phono inputs on the SpinBase. The SpinBase PreAmp is on the Phono inputs and will provide the appropriate levels you need. Andover Audio SpinDeck and SpinDeck Max DOES NOT have a PreAmp.
If your Turntable has a Preamp:Switch the PreAmp on the Turntable to LineIn and connect the Line Outputs of the turntable to the Line inputs on the SpinBase. In this scenario, you are using the PreAmp provided on your turntable and the signal is at an appropriate level.
Or
Switch the PreAmp on the Turntable to Phono and connect Phono out to the Magnetic Phono inputs on the SpinBase. In this scenario, you are using the PreAmp provided on your SpinBase.
Sound Quality from your Turntable
1. Make sure to connect the ground to the SpinBase if available. Some turntables have the ground within their Red or White RCA cable, which is fine.
2. Your SpinBase might have a switch for Ceramic or Magnetic. Some turntables have a Ceramic stylus/needle, so if you move the switch to match, you'll get a better quality sound for your specific turntable.
I am still getting some noise from my turntable.
Make sure to connect the ground to the SpinBase if available. Some turntables have the ground built into the cable. This will reduce hum. It is natural to get some buzzing if you place your fingers on or near the needle of a turntable. It is possible to hear some hiss from the turntable if you turn the volume all the way up. The PreAmp is boosting the signal about 10X.
Do I need shortening plugs?
In the first model of the SpinBase, shortening (terminating) plugs were provided to help reduce hum when using a turntable. They plugged into the open Line inputs. Any newer SpinBase model (post Jan 2021 with a Subwoofer Output) does not need these. Please Note: You should not get any hum or additional noise simply using the Bluetooth or Line inputs of the SpinBase, with any model.
Can I select which input I want to hear
There is no input selector on the SpinBase. So you could potentially pass audio to all three inputs and you would hear them simultaneously. And if you hear an echo, it is probably because you are hearing a delayed Bluetooth input and a Line input at the same time. So you'll what to be aware of what inputs you are passing to the SpinBase when enjoying your music.
Should I have the Ceramic Switch On or Off?
The ceramic switch on the back of the SpinBase applies equalization. If you have a ceramic stylus (common on inexpensive turntables), the equalization will offer a better sound for you. If you have a magnetic stylus, which offers better sound quality, you should leave this switch in the off position. Try both settings, it can't hurt.
What kind of cable do I need for the Subwoofer connection?
The 1/8" Line Out/Sub-Out on the SpinBase is the same as a headphone output. It is a stereo connection that you can connect to the Subwoofer.
How can I connect Bluetooth headphones?
You'll need to purchase a Bluetooth transmitter and plug it into the headphone output of the SpinBase. Google "airpods bluetooth transmitter" and you'lll see a bunch of options.
What are the Dimensions?
The dimensions for the SpinBase are
18" Wide
13.5" Deep (11 5/8" distance of feet)
3.25" High
Is it Stereo?
Yes. There are separate Left and Right speakers. Two speakers are on the sides of the cabinet and two are on the front for a very wide dispersion that is a respectable simulation to what you will achieve with separate speakers.
How come it does not feedback with a turntable on top?
Various elements in the design cancel the vibration from the other components, resulting in a product that generates very little mechanical vibration.
Will my SpinBase work with a SpinSub?
The first-generation SpinBase models have an 1/8 output on the back with a picture of headphones. The second-generation models have another 1/8 output labeled Line-Out/Sub Out. You most likely have this if you purchased a SpinBase after 1/1/21. We did offer a upgrade program for 3 months if you had the older unit (pre Jan 2021). That program expired. You would have to purchase a newer unit to get the Sub Out.
Trouble connecting to your Songbird?
This video can help you get familiar with the steps. https://youtu.be/SYjqCHjn6pk
Trouble Connecting?
Try a factory reset. Hold the button on the front of the Songbird for 15 seconds. It will announce that it is restoring factory settings. Start the setup process again. Launch the Songbird App. Click Add Device. Go to your Device Wireless settings. Select the Songbird so it gets a checkmark. (it is normal to say unsecured or no internet connection at this point.) Switch to the Songbird App. Select your wifi network. Enter your wifi password
The Songbird works with 2.4g. Make sure your device is connected to a 2.4g wireless network first when configuring.
Make sure Location Servicesare on. On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Turn on Location Services. Scroll to the bottom of the list, then tap System Services.Turn on Networking & Wireless (or Wi-Fi Networking). When prompted in the Songbird App, select "Allow while using App".Check the Wifi strength. In the Songbird App, tap the device name in the upper right to view the device. Tap the settings icon to view Device Details. Tap Speaker Info to see Wifi Strength.
Trouble with Amazon Music?
You may need delete the Amazon Music App and reinstall it. Launch it and enter you credentials. Then go to the Songbird App, Add more services, to select Amazon Music
Airplay not working?In Apple Music or any other App on your iPhone, Select a song or station, look for the little Airplay icon and pick a device, the Songbird should appear as an option. If the Songbird is not appearing, you may have to follow the directions above to reset the Songbird. Also for Airplay to work, the phone should be connected to the same wireless network as the Songbird. If your phone uses multiple network bands (Mesh), and you can connect the Songbird to an Ethernet connection, Ethernet would be more consistent.
Can I connect to the Songbird from my Windows device?
You can play individual files by right-clicking on the file then selecting Cast to Device. Spotify Connect will work within the Spotify app from Windows with no problems by selecting songbird from the other devices menu. Other apps do not appear to work at this time from the Win10 machine. If supported, you could stream to the Songbird as a Bluetooth devices from your windows machine or using the analog cable.
Here is a video that might help setting up DLNA on your Windows 10 Device. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euc9gmP3DMo
Can I stream to the Songbird from my Mac?
You can connect from an Apple device using Airplay. We support Airplay 1 (16/44.1). You could also connect to it as a Bluetooth device or using the analog cable.
Do you support Amazon Hi Res?
We support Amazon HD (16/44.1). At this time we do not support Amazon UHD (24/96) at this time. You will not see badges in the Songbird App indicating the audio quality like you do in the Amazon App.
What does the led on the front of the songbird mean?
The led will blink during setup. The led on the front of the Songbird is also an input selection. The device will announce the change when you press it.
White = Wifi
WirelessYellow = Optical
Blue = Bluetooth
Green = Aux
What sample rate is the digital output?
Regardless of input, the digital out on the Songbird is resampled to 16/44.1. The internal DAC is 24/192, so the way to enjoy Hi-Res output is to use the analog out and the built-in DAC.
Can I use the Songbird as a Standalone converter?
Yes, you can pass analog into the Songbird and get Digital Output. You can also feed up to 24/48k SPDIF into the optical input and get analog output.
Having trouble after connecting an ethernet cable?
When switching between or adding WI-FI or Ethernet, it's best to reset the songbird and go through the setup again. Unplug the power of the Songbird for a minute. Plug power back. Hole the WPS/input button on the front for 20 seconds. The songbird will go through restoring factory settings.
Launch the Songbird App to go through the setup process again. For ethernet, if your device (Songbird App) is on the same network, it should find the device automatically in about 10 - 30 seconds. For wireless, you have to go through the Settings on your device and select the Songbird.
Then back in the Songbird App, pick your wireless network and provide a password.When the Songbird is connected to Ethernet and Wifi, it will prefer the Ethernet connection.
When connected to Ethernet only, in the Device settings you will see that WI-FI Status is blank. You would see the name of your wireless network name if connected to WI-FI and authenticated with a password.
Connecting a Second Device
After connecting Songbird #2 to your system and entering setup mode, go straight to your Wifi settings on the phone and connect to the NEW songbird. When you return to the app, it should not find your first Songbird, and you should be able to setup the second songbird the same way you did the first.After that, your phone should automatically reconnect to your WiFi network and both Songbirds should appear. If for some reason you cannot connect the second songbird to your phone, press and hold the input button on the new Songbird for about a minute until it says "Restoring Factory Settings". Then wait about another 3 seconds until it says "Entering Setup Mode" and it should flow exactly like your first one.
What Codecs are supported?
The Songbird supports the following audio file formats. MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+, ALAC, FLAC, APE, WAV. This means that any file in this format can be streamed over the Songbird via our App. Connecting directly to your local network.
If you have any file you can play, and you can transmit Bluetooth, the Songbird Bluetooth is compatible with most popular codecs when the inout is switched to Bluetooth.
Can I connect my TV?
You can feed SPDIF (2 channel) into the optical input and get analog or optical output from the Songbird. This depends on the output of the TV or Optical source. There are various stream formats. See if you can change the output on your TV to PCM 2 Channel. Also make sure the optical cable is pushed all the way in to Optical in on the Songbird. You should hear a click. If that doesn't work, it may be an incompatible optical stream.
Can I use the Songbird as a Stand Alone DAC (Digtal Audio Converter)?
Yes, you can pass analog into the Songbird and get Digital Output. You can also feed up to 24/48k SPDIF into the optical input and get analog output.
Using Qobuz and not seeing 24 Bit?
Select Qobuz in the Songbird App and you will have options to use their interface. Click the Hamburger menu on the top left. Select "Streaming". Here you can select whichever resolution your Qobuz subscription supports.
Creating a Playlist from Tidal?
Go to "My Music" and select "Create New Playlist". Name it.
On the songs you want to add, click little musical note and you will see all the songs in the currently playing list. Click on the three dots to the right of the tracks you want and select “Add to Playlist”. It will take you to your playlists where you will see the one you just named, along with any others you made before. Click on the playlist where you want to add it. The app will respond with “Added to playlist”.
The confusion might arise that the new playlist does not appear under “Playlists" on the main menu, that only shows the Tidal-created playlists. Instead it appears under “My Music”.
I'm concerned about the sound quality
Make sure you have connected it to the appropriate inputs of your speaker system. The SpinDeck does not have a PreAmp and should be plugged into phono inputs.
You may need to adjust the counterwieght on the arm. If there is not enough pressure, you will not get a good signal from the needle. Product Manual.
What cartridge does the SpinDeck use?The SpinDeck uses an Ortofon Stylus 5E.These easily slide on and off if you choose to upgrade.
The Platter is not turning properly.
Please make sure you have removed the cardboard from underneath the platter.
How long should the belt last?
The belt should last the lifetime of the unit. If you need a replacement, please email us with your name and shipping address. support@andoveraudio.com
The platter spins but there is no sound?
Make sure you have selected phono as your input. Make sure you have removed the cover from the stylus. Use two fingers to pinch and make sure the stylus cartridge is firmly in place on the arm. It is possible to become slightly loose.
The Sound Quality is not what I expected?
To make sure you are getting the best Bass response from your Model-One, check this setting. Under Preferences > Go to Subwoofer Output. Choose Off, if you are NOT using an external Subwoofer. Choose On, if you are using an external Subwoofer. This setting redirects some Bass frequencies to the Subwoofer output.
Can I connect the Model-One to another Amplifier?
The Model-One has PRE-OUT (Preamp output): Which outputs an unamplified signal to an external amplifier, or a set of powered speakers. There is also a SUB-Out (Preamp output): A monaural Preamp output for use with a subwoofer. The manual is available on our web site as well. https://www.andoveraudio.com/pages/andover-audio-product-support
When does the platter stop spinning?
The platter will stop spinning on the Model-One if the source is switched to another source such as Bluetooth or Aux, or when the power is turned off.
What resolution are the digital inputs?
The Optical input will accept up to 24/96 and the Coaxial will accept up to 24/192. So either of those are the primary digital inputs for high resolution. The USB is limited to 16/48 and is there primarily for ripping to a computer. A simple converter like the Douk Audio U2 can be used between a computer's USB to the Model One Coaxial. https://www.amazon.com/Douk-Audio-Converter-Interface-PCM192Khz/dp/B085XPRSGM
