2. analog
  3. 1394210787

Best cartridge to reduce hum under $400 USD

I am currently running a Grado platinum reference on a stock Thorens TD150 mkII and Grado phono preamp. I like the the music it produces, but on my new Arcam - Monitor Audio - B&W based system I am noticing the hum a lot more. The hum increases as the cartridges swings towards the center of the platter, so I am assuming the unshielded cartridge is to blame.

With the b&w sub I am also now noticing more rumble, which may also indicate the cartridge is the wrong compliance? If I recall correctly, the tone arm is medium weight, something like 13 grams.

The phono stage has high and low level settings, but not sure it can effectively handle low very output MC.

Any suggestions?

kn
Ag insider logo xs@2xknownothing
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,470 posts
 
..sounds to me like your getting hum from the turntable itself. Grados are especially sensitive to hum like this. Call Grado for help..they have some things that may help.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,701 posts
 
The Sonata comes in three versions. I use the Sonata with 1.5 mv output which is known as the Sonata VPI version. Call Grado and they will give you the info on this.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,701 posts
 
BTW: I forgot to mention, it sounds like you have an arm and cartridge mismatch causing the cartridge to resonate. You can try adding some mass to the arm and see if that corrects the problem.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,992 posts
 
The Grado cartridges are a moving iron design and have always been notorious for hum problems with turntables/tonearms that have less than ideal shielding of the motor. This has been well documented. I was a Grado dealer for many, many years and know this first hand.

I'm not sure that even reducing the output voltage of the cartridge will work unless you want to shield the motor somehow on your Thorens.

IMHO, I would move to a different cartridge, (or spend the time and money to shield the motor).
lewm
13,110 posts
 
What Mofi said.
I would shield the motor. The cartridge is a good one. Shielding may take some time and effort to install but would be cheaper than spending on a new cartridge that will at best be as good as the one you've got. I suggest you get sheet of mu metal and cut it so as to fit under the platter mat. It needs to be grounded, but contact with the underlying platter would likely by itself be sufficient to do that, in that case. Otherwise, lift the platter off and see if you can affix some mu metal over the motor. Then ground the shield. You could even try just a thin sheet of ordinary copper from a hardware store.
More to discover