I own a Beogram 3400, purchased in the U.S. in 1976 or so.  I have not used it for 10 or 12 years. 

This weekend I connected it to the phono input of my receiver, connected the ground wire, turned everything on and - poof - the protection circuit of the amplifier kicked in. 

Checked all connections to the receiver and don't see any crossed wires.

Any thoughts?  Thanks.

xeric-sw

I would do a continuity test - there are connections in the headshell for the cartridge. I take it that it is the US 3400 rather than the quad one with the optional CD4 board? That one would produce too high an output.

Yes, the U.S. version of the 3400.  Standard phono plugs, not DIN.  No quad. 

Sorry, but I don't know anything about testing electronic equipment.  What is a continuity test?

Thanks. 

xeric-sw

You use a multi-meter that pits a very small current through the circuit so you can test if the circuit is complete. In this case, you would turn the deck on, wait till the arm drops, then turn off at the mains. The contact pins are obvious in the headshell and test them against the RCA plugs. You should find that the pins match different pins in the RCA plugs. Also check the earth.