VPI Classic hum

Running the Kimber Silver Streak from the junction box to the phono preamp. Nothing fancy and I'm not sure how shielded it is, but no "hum" to be bothered by. Of course you're going to hear more "hum" on quiet passages; it's nothing to do with shielding, but the nature of the medium. I have five gain settings on my preamp and the noise increases with the gain but so does the dynamic range. Once the music kicks in, it's a non-issue. If you want no noise at all during quiet passages or lead-in, switch to CDs.

I also have the Classic. This may not be quite related, but I get some distortion from my subwoofer when I use my turntable. The table is level and set up properly as far cartridge alignment, tracking force etc. I do not get this distortion from any other sources. Any thoguhts would be appreciated.

Actusreus, I have no noise at all now, with the Soundsmith VPI Zypher. Dead quiet, great cartridge. Love my analog again, simply sounds incredible to me.

Mcdaddy...that sounds like feedback. Get rid of your VPI minifeet and replace them with Bearpaws from Vermontaudio.com.

Actusreus - Thanks for your suggestion. I've been running with vinyl for 25 years, I know what it can and can't do. Record surface noise can't be helped, noise from cables can be eliminated via proper placement. The cartridge picking up noise from the motor is not a non-issue for me; I've run other turntables with low output cartridges and this never happened.

VPI themselves suggested a high-output MC to counter this.

Anyway, I installed a Clearaudio Maestro MM cartridge last night, 3.6mV output and this seems to have taken the hum down to a level where I can totally ignore it.

The only reason I haven't sold the Classic is because it's one of the most addictive TTs I've owned, despite a flaw or two - it has the slam and bass few others at the price have. That's why I've stuck with it to arrive at the right combination.

Anyone have experience with a Classic/high-output Grado?