VPI Classic hum

I agree, it should be. I've contacted VPI and also have spent over $1000.00 for various fixes and things. The thing is, that, if you had never heard what I'm hearing with my table, you wouldn't notice it, even now( with all the fixes). The problem comes from having heard it and now I'm locked in on it. I was able to make dead quiet recordings from using my LP12 with any cartridge that I had (Grado's , Shures, etc). This is not possible with the Classic. During my trouble shooting of the Classic, I was able to borrow an outboard motor assembly. With it connected to the Classic, all of my recordings were dead quiet. As a result of that and using a stethoscope on the plinth to check for motor noise I was able to confirm the source of my problem and come to a conclusion. Again, don't get me wrong, with the Soundsmith, and 300RPM motor the table is very quiet but not dead quiet in my listening environment, it's very enjoyable to listen to. However, I want and need to make dead quiet recordings, so I will be moving up to an Aries 3 like the gentleman did earlier in this thread. I've learned a lot on how to mitigate the noise to an acceptable level without spending a lot of money like I did and if someone wants to know they can email me.

I have the same vintage Classic TT and have been using a Benz Glider without any hum. Suggest you send your table into VPI and have Mike take a look at it.

I am, it will be in exchange for an Aries 3.

M~

Wow, almost 18 months since I started this thread and it's still going on.

I've read the replies since my last post. It appears the motor mounting is the culprit. I'm sure VPI would have rectified this issue on all the Classics since then.

Macster - You'll be glad to know I've stuck with the Aries 3. One change, though, I ordered a Classic all-metal platter for it. This takes the Aries 3's bass to Classic level.

An A-B I did last year before giving up the Classic (and using the same Clearaudio Maestro cartridge) showed the Aries 3 to have more air and detail, and a bigger stage. The Classic had deeper and weightier bass. I switched platters (just a case of drop-in) and then the Aries 3's bottom end clicked nicely into place, the way I like.

Funny thing is, I then ordered a Classic platter from VPI, and when the unit came, it wouldn't fit on the Aries' spindle! Anyway, they did send a whole set - spindle and mount, so I remove the ones on the Aries and fixed the whole platter set.

So far, I'm pretty chuffed with the Aries 3 - I have a Dynavector XX2 MkII on it.

Would be interested to know how far sonically the Classic 3 is from the original model. I spied a new Classic 1 at my dealers, with the new finish plinth, and was tempted to give it another shot... what's it about that bloody Classic, then, ay? Must be all that wood that's calling me!

Just thought you folks might want to know where I've reached in my VPI adventures.

Cheers!

Still no hum on my Classsic rig. The only thing I hear is my wife screamin' to turn the music down. LOL