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In a thread now nearing the end of the top page, many of you suggested I try a Grado cartridge for the sound I'm looking for. But I was concerned about the renowned Grado hum with my unshielded TT motor (Oracle Paris).Then I remembered that, years ago, I bought one of those Van Alstine Longhorn Grados. I rummaged through some boxes and found it--bent cantilever and all. It's a modified XF3E+.
So without actually mounting the Grado in the headshell, I connected the headshell leads to it, dragged it across the platter and cranked up the volume all the way. The result: at max volume, I was barely able to hear the hum from my listening position. It was quite audible up close to the speakers, though.
So my thinking is, since I never get close to turning my volume up full, the hum would be pretty much inaudible when playing music.
Is this test valid, do you think? If so, it seems I can go ahead and get a Grado. (Been kind of wanting to for years anyway.)
Follow Ups:
I really appreciate all of your replies. Sounds promising. Now I'm trying to search the archives for possible tracking problems (i.e., "Grado dance") with the Audioquest PT-5 arm that I have. Perhaps the "dance" is over-rated, too. Thanks again!
-Bob
The dance is overrated, too. I own somewhere in the neighborhood of three dozen cartridges, and the Grado are among my favorites.
Thanks, mosin.The PT-5 has a damping feature I'd forgotten about because I've never needed it. There's a plate atop the arm bearing you can unscrew to reveal a small well that can be filled with damping fluid. So I'm thinking that if there is a problem with the Grado, this might help address it.
I contacted Audioquest, and they said they would send me some damping fluid.
That's all the hum is on my Rega/Grado Combo.The "Hum" is not worth considering.
You won't know it's there if you don't go looking for it.
Hey Bob,I have a grado platinum reference on a rega p25. I have a very similar experience to yours. I really like the music I hear thru this cart. Personally, I don't think this minor hum detracts in any way from my enjoyment of the music. With the tonearm cued up there is minimal hum only when the cart is near the spindle and the amp is turned up.
I have a bit of Grado hum as well, but at 50-85 db playback levels it is never an issue.Lots of my audiophile friends will take my volume knobs and go to the top to test for hum and noise. Showing me how bad my tube gear is.
Then I drop the needle and their jaws drop. Who gives a rip about a bit of hum at a level I never listen to. I am after the magic in the range where I enjoy playback the most.
that is the grado "hum", at least as it reveals itself on my system.
I agree. It may be possible that something else is partially responsible for the hum that you hear. I just never found it to be a big deal.
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