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VPI Classic hum

Got mine a few weeks ago. Installed it with a high-output Benz Ace H cartridge. Loved the sound but there was a hum when I turned the preamp volume past the 10 o'clock position. Later changed to a Clearaudio Concerto, the hum was quieter, but wouldn't go away no matter what I tried.

Then I read the manual closely, and it said something about using shielded interconnects. So I tried a pair of Rega Couple wires, which are made from Klotz cable, and are shielded.

And you know what, the hum just vanished! Now I'm at peace ...

Just to share with those have hum issues with the Classic. Do share your solutions.
bassraptor
mcdaddy
12 posts
 
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.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
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.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,476 posts
 
Mcdaddy...that sounds like feedback. Get rid of your VPI minifeet and replace them with Bearpaws from Vermontaudio.com.
bassraptor OP
64 posts
 
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?
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Bassraptor: I installed a CA Maestro Wood on my Classic and am experiencing probelms with low frequency resonance/ringing. I've been trading e mails with Mike at VPI for over a week about this issue. In the most recent exchange of messages, Mike thinks that I might need a different VPI tone arm tube (higher mass and better damped) in order to mitigatde the ringing. I have a couple of follow-up questions for Mike to answer before I try his suggestion.

Please let me know if you're experiencing the same or different campatibility problems. If not, let's compare notes on set up. Perhaps I'm not installing the Maestro properly. Thanks
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