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Thorens TD 166 hum

I have a TD 166 with a Shure M97xe and I get a hum through the speakers. The platter is not rotating (table off) and the arm is sitting in the rest. It becomes audible at about 11 o'clock on the HK 930 and gets louder as I turn the volume knob up.
If I remove the headshell, the hum is audible (louder) right from the beginning of the volume control and increases as I turn the volume up.
I have another turntable connected to phono 2 and it remains silent throughout the volume setting.
I even tried unplugging the a/c cord, the hum is still there.
I've moved the turntable to another system and hum remains.
Anyone with experience with Thorens or anyone with an idea or suggestions?
Thanks,
Edmund
thelonerider
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,661 posts
 
It might be the ground tag on the Shure. Remove it and see if that solves the hum problem!!
https://service.shure.com/s/article/how-to-remove-grounding-tab-on-a-shure-phono-cartridge?language=...
thelonerider OP
9 posts
 
Thanks, will try this. But it does not explain the louder hum when I remove the headshell, or is this a normal thing?
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
It is normal to have hum with the headshell/cartridge removed from arm. Do you have the tonearm ground wire connected to the preamp? All tonearms require this!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
And hum becoming noticeable at 11 o'clock is normal. The M97 has a rather high output. Don't go performing surgery on it (ground tab removal)! That's a bad idea!
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