VPI Classic hum

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?

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

Your second post suggested that you were bothered by some noise on the lead-in and quiet passages and were trying to eliminate it. If you have buzzing sound coming from the speakers that's one thing, but I stand by my statement that some noise is inherent in the medium and those looking to eliminate it completely should switch to CDs. Doubtless, it might vary with different cartridges and cables (Grados are notorious for picking up hum with the Classic, for example), as well as with the quality of vinyl certainly. However, I've heard mega-buck systems and I'm sorry but at higher listening levels there will be noise, especially with tube amplification. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your posts.

Actusreus - the hum I'm getting in the lead-in grooves, I heard no such thing in previous set-ups I had, including a Clearaudio and NAS, with a variety of cartridges.

Bifwynne - I will update my posts as I find out more.

Bassraptor: I agree with Actusreus' comment about Grados, at least the Sonata. I used to own a Grado Sonata MM (5 mV), which was mounted on a restored vintage Thorens TD 160. No matter what I did, I couldn't get rid of the hum. The sonics were ok, but not as good as the Maestro.

I haven't tried a Grado out on the Classic, but maybe if I can't fix my Maestro bass resonance problem, I'll try one. However, I might "road test" the Ortofon 2 M Black, which is supposed to be one fantasic MM cartridge.