2. analog
  3. 142933-124398

New Scout 1.1 with hum issues, kind of fixed?

So, I just got a Scout 1.1 off Craigslist from a fellow audio freak. When I plugged it in and got it all set up, I went to listen to a record and the hum was so bad that the table was basically unlistenable. LOUD and overpowering the music, even.

So I did some research. I connected the arm/junction box to the phono pre and that helped a little, but I wanted to try something else. I decided to try adding a ground wire from the bearing nut on the bottom of the plinth to that same terminal on the back of the junction box, and, sure enough it made the hum just a little quieter... so, I went further and decided to add a ground wire from the motor to the same terminal again... same result... even quieter. There is still a very light hum but no where near as bad, and if I disconnect the wires from that junction box, that super LOUD hum comes back. So, this is obviously helping in some way.

Does that mean I need to ground something else????? I'm relatively unqualified, definitely not an electrician... is this normal?
mmalley
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,404 posts
 
Ensure your cartridge pin connections are correct and making a solid connection. Ensure the cable from the RCA box to your phono amp is well shielded. Try replacing it with another to test. Make sure the stylus is pressed home fully.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Anything less than perfect contact can introduce hum. Just one of a long list of possibilities, but it is on the list, so might as well check it off.

Clean thoroughly with ordinary rubbing alcohol. Sounds decidedly low-tech but that is what Keith Herron recommended to me and lo and behold, it works.
wilson667's avatar
wilson667
93 posts
 
You also might try sanding the pivot pin the arm sits on. There was a short period where the unipivot came coated. With that coating the arm has no way to ground itself. I had this issue on my Prime and was told to use very fine steel wool until I saw bare metal. You may be able to find the thread on the VPI forums.

johnto
972 posts
 
Sometimes if you move the motor a bit it helps also try a mouse pad under the motor. Has the tt been serviced lately( lube and oil).
Good luck 
mmalley OP
6 posts
 
Okay, so I’ve tracked what is causing the hum down and it was not what I expected. Let me list my current signal chain:

VPI Scout 1.1 (Shure M97xE w/ LP Gear ViVid Line stylus) > Schiit Mani Phono Preamp > Schiit Sys Passive Preamp (use this to switch sources into my amplifier) > Emotiva MiniX A-100 Amplifier > ELAC UB5 speakers

Everything connected with Blue Jeans LC-1 interconnects.

So, tonight, just for the hell of it, I decided to really dig into this. I decided to connect the Schiit Mani phono preamp directly into the Emotiva power amp and, sure as hell, no hum whatsoever... This blew me away as this is the first time I've heard my analog system without a trace of hum or buzz.

So, that tells me something is going on with the Sys.

Next, I plugged the phono preamp back into the Sys, with the Sys output going to my Emotiva power amp. But, this time I unplugged my other source (iFi iDSD Nano DAC) and, once again, sure as hell, no hum.

Basically, if I plug anything other than the phono preamp to the inputs of the Sys, I get hum. I’ve tried different cables... I’ve tried everything. This is extremely frustrating. The Sys is basically useless to me if I can’t use it to switch sources into my amplifier.

So, I guess now I’m on the search for either a nicer passive preamp to switch my sources or a proper preamplifier.

Anyone have any idea if I can remedy this without having to spend a bunch of money? If not, some affordable suggestions of high-quality gear that I can use in place of the Sys?

Thanks!

More to discover