VPI Scout Hum

I listened to a record at my dealer's once on a VPI/Transfiguration/CJ/Soundsmith phono/Vandersteen system worth probably about $30,000 and the sound blew me away. But once the record ended the hum/hiss was equally shocking at the high volume level I was listening at. After that I simply assumed that hum/hiss is simply a part of the analog experience but usually doesn't get in the way of music that much. I certainly felt much better about my humble--in comparison--Scout/Soundsmith Aida cart and phono rig that was producing some hum/buzz when not playing.

That said, VPI recommends replacing the TT cables with the cheapest, well-shielded cables you can find, if there is excessive hum. I ran the Kimber Silverstreak initially from the tt to the phono stage and I replaced it with a pair of Radio Shack cables that were on sale for the whooping $1.30!!! And guess what? It actually decreased the hum! Son of the b...ch! I suggest you try that solution since it virtually costs nothing.

Peter,
Thank you so much for your input! It's greatly appreciated. I hope you're healthy and feeling great.

I'm using your Aida MI cart in Ebony on my Scout with your MMP3 phono stage and I love it. I too experienced some hum, but it decreased after I replaced my Kimber Sliver Streak with a cheap, well-shielded interconnect from Radio Shack from the Scout to the phono preamp. (I'm running the Silver Streak from the phono to my main amp now.) One question I have to clarify: how do you tell if the tonearm wire is unshielded? If you see just silver, it means it's unshielded, and if it has colors, that's the shielding, right? It appears my Scout has a silver wire with a colored wires twisted together. Would the copper wire trick help with the hum further? Thank you.

Great advice. Thank you Peter.

Peter,
This is very interesting and I am intrigued by your statements based on my auditioning experience a few months ago at my local dealer. I listened to records on a system that consisted of the VPI HR-X turntable with the SDS, Transfiguration MC cartridge (don't remember which one but it retailed for $1500), your own Soundsmith MCP2 phono stage, Conrad Johnson pre and main amplification, and Vandersteen 5A speakers, plus Richard Gray power conditioning; I don't remember the cables.

The sound absolutely blew me away--the dynamics, clarity, energy, transients, soundstage, oomph, slam, you name it, it was all there. But when the music faded, the hiss coming from the speakers was almost equally amazing; I was shocked by just how much of it was being produced on this otherwise absolutely amazing gear.

Granted, the volume level was pretty high, but based on your comments, the hiss should not have been there. Considering the fact that the setup was top notch, what could have possibly been causing the high level of noise in your opinion?