2. analog
  3. 156664-112802

Phono stage hum - Rega Aria

Hi folks, trying to solve a hum issue and would appreciate any thoughts. Rega Aria phono stage, into a PrimaLuna Dialogue tube preamp, then to Bel Canto SS mono's. 

With the tonearm NOT plugged into the phono stage, there's a hum.(especially when set to MC vs. MM)
Rega powered off, no hum while preamp at max volume. Turn the phono stage on, there's the hum...I hold the phono stage in the air, 4 feet from everything, same hum. When I hover it over my preamp, the hum gets much louder due to interference. Magnaplanar 1.7i speakers very quiet until that phono stage enters the chain.

Haven't tried a cheater plug...but have tried 2 diff interconnects (Better Cables/Silver Serpent and BJC LC1) from the phono stage to the PrimaLuna, and 2 different power cables (Furutech FP-S022N and factory cable) into a Furman Elite 15-DMi. 

Either this Rega Aria is a noisy phono stage, or I've somehow got a ground loop in there with it. It's really not bad at lower volumes, but sucks when that hum breaks the silence at louder volumes between songs/sides. 
Opinion - is this phono stage a weak link in my system? Maybe it would be fine if I find a way to eliminate that hum. 

JA Michell Gyro TT
Rega RB 808 tonearm
Ortofon Cadenza Black cart
Primaluna Dialogue Premium preamp
Rega Aria phono stage
Bel Canto M500 mono amps
Furman Elite 15-DMi power
Magnaplanar 1.7i

Better Cables/Silver Serpent interconnects
Blue Jean Cables for phono and Maggies
Furutech FP-S022N power/outlet

Cheers, thanks for any advice! 
128x128malmc02
grk
223 posts
 
Try one of these...Quest For Sound carries them.

http://www.graniteaudio.com/zero/page2.html
malmc02's avatar
malmc02 OP
30 posts
 
@dramatictenor I've been considering switching from the Rega Aria to a Parasound - was looking at both the JC3 Junior and the JC3+. Sounds like you are enjoying the Junior, which is good to hear! (literally) 

@conde64 Did you get to try the Aria MK3? Interested to hear what you thought. 
the_lanman
27 posts
 
I have a Rega P8 going into an Aria MkII to a Pass Int 60. No hum. Even with volume turned up and just phono source selected,  no record playing, its just soft white noise, no buzz or hum. The phono cables from the Aria to Int60 are 3 conductor, grounded at the source end (Aria),  but left ungrounded at the amp end (Int60). Maybe you have a cable issue? 
malmc02's avatar
malmc02 OP
30 posts
 
@the_lanman hi, what are the cables are you using between the Aria and the Int60? 
the_lanman
27 posts
 
I'm using DH Labs BL1 DIY that I assembled myself. It's a two conductor with a ground. On the phono source end, the pos is connected to the pos RCA pin, the neg and jacket ground are connected to the ground pin. On the preamp end, just the pos and neg are use. The jacket ground is left unterminated. This is designed to drain ground away from the source. You can google for more info. It works for me!
More to discover