Ground loop with Miyajima Premium mono

Somaxx, I get that this is the explanation on two different sites. Despite that, its not correct.

A ground loop is formed when there is a gain stage that shares a ground with another gain stage, such that it can amplify the currents in the ground circuit.

A classic example might be if a preamp and an amplifier are both have their circuit grounds connected together with their respective chassis, both of which get their grounds from the ground prong of the AC outlet.

In this case, there is no such gain stage; IOW, the cartridge is a passive device. If there was a gain stage between the cartridge and the phono section, then it would be possible, without one you don't have the conditions for a ground loop.

I know ground loops can be mysterious, and recalcitrant hums can be frustrating, but they are not the same thing. I can think of other scenarios that are far more likely:

1) If there are 2 windings in the cartridge, one could be defective

2) A wiring error is occurring in the process of connecting the inputs of the preamp together.

3) the tone arm ground and the minus outputs of the cartridge have become confused

4) if the cartridge has a metal body (or employs for some unknown reason, a ground tab) and is grounded to the arm, you will get hum pickup as the arm is no longer able to shield the cartridge signal.

My Miyajima BE Mono should be arriving this week and I look forward to hearing what all the fuss is about. I'll be using mine on a Schick 12" arm.

Lula, I think I can answer your question. Some mono cartridges (such as the Miyajimas) are "true mono" designs that do not have vertical compliance. This type of cartridge will damage a stereo record. Some other mono cartridges DO have vertical compliance and those should be able to play a stereo record without damaging it. From what I have read, Grado monos are in the second group but there are probably others as well.

Salectric, I know nothing about this subject (whether and why a mono cartridge could damage a stereo LP), but just empirically it seems to me that any cartridge with a conventional cantilever has "vertical compliance" to one degree or another. What the mono cartridge does not have is merely the ability to translate vertical motion into electrical output. So if a mono cartridge of the Miyajima type does have the capacity to damage a stereo LP, it should not be due to total lack of compliance in the vertical plane. If I am wrong in this idea, I hope someone will correct me. Thanks.

Whoops!!!! I was wrong indeed. I looked on the Miyajima website, where it says, "When it played a stereo LP with this cartridge, a sound is that a distortion and a needle do not work lengthwise, and there is the thing that a needle injures the ditch of the LP." I could not have said it better myself. Thanks for your insight, Salectric.

Here's a question: Is there any difference at all between the "BE" version and the plain Premium version, other than the species of the wood that is used? Miyajima website says nothing to indicate any other difference. A US vendor says there are indeed some internal differences between the two models, to justify the $250 price differential. Thanks.