On the hum issue, check all connections (including the four tiny connectors at the cart). Since you have a transformer, make sure the cable running to and from it is a shielded type. Make sure no phono cable is near an AC line. It may be a malfunction somewhere or it may simply be that you are not used to having any level of noise of the type you find with a turntable in the system. Whatever noise emanates from the tt/arm/cart/transformer and their cabling should be very little though. Putting your volume control at its highest is not a very good test since any noise will be amplified significantly. It all depends on how much noise you actually have.
The other issue is purely mechanical and probably has to do with the fact the Linn has a suspended chassis that might need some fine tuning. Cleaning the belt and putting talcum on it wouldn't hurt either, but I doubt it would cure your problem for any appreciable period.
Good luck. Oh, and don't believe folks who tell you that LP analog is the be all and end all. It might have a certain quality of sound that makes it very attractive, but it has drawbacks that devotees tend to be mum about at best or flatly deny at worst.
Good luck.
The other issue is purely mechanical and probably has to do with the fact the Linn has a suspended chassis that might need some fine tuning. Cleaning the belt and putting talcum on it wouldn't hurt either, but I doubt it would cure your problem for any appreciable period.
Good luck. Oh, and don't believe folks who tell you that LP analog is the be all and end all. It might have a certain quality of sound that makes it very attractive, but it has drawbacks that devotees tend to be mum about at best or flatly deny at worst.
Good luck.