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Miyajima Zero hum?

Anyone get a hum when using this mono cartridge through a stereo preamp? Some years back there was a thread about hum with the Miyajima Premium mono (https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/ground-loop-with-miyajima-premium-mono?highlight=miyajima%20m...). At the time, the distributor's recommended fix was to connect only one of the cartridge's channel outputs, and then use a mono switch on the preamp (if it had one) to get sound from both channels. Either that or get a y-connector. I thought these unattractive solutions.

Now, I'm thinking about picking up a Zero, but I'm wondering whether it's subject to the same hum issues. If so, it would be a deal-breaker for me, as I have no mono switch and don't want to use a y-connector or mono SUT.

Thanks.
wrm57
wrm57 OP
1,043 posts
 
Folkfreak, thanks so much for the detailed response. That is too bad. I think I'll have to pass on this otherwise excellent unit.
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
The prior thread suggested that the hum was preamp dependent so if you can get a miyajima on loan to try it out you could see if the hum arose in your setup. Hate for you to miss out on this cartridge. It smoked the Lyra that I was using before 
hcalland
39 posts
 
I match my Miyajima Zero with a SME V tonearm and Cary Audio phono amp, and it's dead quiet. I have had low hum problems, but either changed out the cable or phono amp. I have used a PS Audio phono amp with great success as well. 
sunnyboy1956's avatar
sunnyboy1956
424 posts
 
I sold my Miyajima BE mono because of the hum. Switched to a more expensive Lyra Kleos mono and the hum has gone. The Lyra has a different coil configuration that sums the signal in the cart(I think !). 

hcalland
39 posts
 
I just matched my Miyajima Zero with a Graham 2.2 ceramic Tonearm and Soundsmith MCP-2 phono amp, and it's as quiet as a mouse. Absolutely black background. I always felt a solid state phono amp would work better with this cartridge. 

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