Phono hum

You need to establish a ground from the TT to the preamp! That is where the cables are grounded to from the TT in the first place. Try connecting a lead from the TT ground to the preamp chassis. If it has a screw somewhere on the chassis un screw it enough to connect the lead from the TT ground terminal. Forget about the Belarri ground. It may lessen it but the ground is indirect. I have a similar problem whenever I add a separate phono stage into my mix. Connecting the phono ground to the aux. phono preamp's ground only partially removes the prob. but connecting the the pramp ground or chassis does the trick. Also, try using a cheater plug on each AC cord, one at a time, after you do the ground wire if it still doesn't go away.

I grounded everything including from the TT to the preamp itself...no help. I bought a Cambridge 640p and magically the hum and loud pop have disappeared. I think the VPI's motor is a little too "magnetic" for the Bellari.

Hum prblems can be very frustrating, and there are no hard and fast rules because everything depends upon everything else, from the components in your system to the wiring in your house. That being said, you should try connecting the ground wire from the tonearm to the PREAMP, instead of the phono section. This will usually lead to a much quieter background. The phono section will be grounded to the preamp through the line level interconnects.

Good luck!

Ahhhhhh! I thought the Bellari was the problem.

Enjoy the tunes,
John