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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
andyprice44
133 posts
 
Another thing peter lederman at soundsmith told me was that the wire coming out of the tonearm of the classic that plugs into the junction box is un-shielded wire. This wire can pickup interference. I took a single strand of copper wire about the size of a human hair, then spiral wrapped it around the tonearm wire. I left a long piece near the base that I connected to the ground lug on the turntable. I then wrapped both wires in PTFE tape. This did eliminate a small hum issue I had. Those of you with the valhalla wiring, I think valhalla is shielded already so this would be no help to you.
macster
64 posts
 
One way or the other, I'm going to resolve this today. I'm taking the table back with my preamp and cassette deck and going through the trouble shooting process with my bud. What I've found is that if I disconnect the belt from the motor (let it wrap it's self around the platter). Then place a record on the table with the arm down touching the record and after that select source monitor on my Nak and plug in a set of head phones to the deck I can clearly hear the motor noise (hum) when I turn the motor on and off. This same hum is what I hear on the tapes that I'm making and now it's really bothering me. So I'm going to take Bifwynne's and Macdadtexas advice and get a Soundsmith Zypher or Dyna 20X2H.
macster
64 posts
 
Found the source of the problem. New parts are on the way and will be installed tomorrow.
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Macster, so what is the source of the problem?
macster
64 posts
 
The motor and I know that it's a "duh." But I will elaborate more after my parts are in. I would "highly" recommend that anyone who has this problem to work with VPI and the dealer to resolve it. Once my table is finished, we'll be certain of the "fix" as I have my Goldring GL2500 in it and it was humming with the motor turned on, with the arm down on the record. When you turn the motor off the hum stopped.

Again, the whole approach on this is to find the problem and fix it. If you think about it installing a shielded cartridge does not solve the problem. If you want you can email me @ blkmacster@nosapam.cox.net, of course remove the nosapam.
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