Hum a problem with Planar 25/ Grado cartridge?

Your dealer is probably right about the break-in. You can speed up this process with the Cardas Sweep and Burn-In record, but follow the instructions (check out their web site).

dynavector/rega are *great* together. very highly recommended.

I just saw this and no doubt you've received answers. But in the likelyhood you have not, I have the answer.

Shielding. It's no more or less than this.

Most of the lower end Grado cartridges are not shielded, which is probably why they sound so good in their midrange. And the other have of the equation is Rega, they do not shield their TT motors. Hence, Hummmmmmm.

This is the problem. But there is an answer. Mu-metal. You may have been told about this. You can send away for this Mu-metal kit, $75, and you apply it to your TT and all humm or 90% is gone. Any remaining is very negligible.

I've been through this whole process so it's not hearsay or conjecture or whatever. It's honest truth. Repair techs as well as knowledgeable dealers agree and confirm.

Also, it's not only Rega tables, many others fit this category of having not shielded motors (or more specific, transformer in the motor section). I just experienced this same problem you are asking about with a grado silver cartridge and a Pioneer PL-550 TT. That wonderful humm.

The Grado actually sounds so good that I choose not to let the humm interfere with the good things the Grado produces. If you don't play music too loud it's really not too bad of a problem. But if you're insistant on keeping the Grado, buy the Mu-metal kit. You'll be happy. Oh, there's one other cure, and much better in my opinion, that is, if your system can take it--MC cartridge. Much better any day of the week than a MM cartridge (imo).

Hope this helps.

I recently bought a Planar 25 to go with my Grado "Reference Reference" ($1200/high output). Yep, it hums. Motor off, nothing; running, more hum closer to the spindle. No surprise as the wooden cart body offers no shielding, and Rega's too cheap to shield their motor. But let's put the hum contribution to the total record noise in perspective. With a quiet phono preamp and my better records, the hum on the last track at loud volumes is notably less than the groove rush and occasional crackle. And because it is a constant hum vs the varying noises of an LP, you tend to psychoacoustically tune it out more. I was planning to invest in shielding initially, but I simply haven't found it objectionable. Noticeable, yes if you're listening for it, and admittedly not the best synergy. I know there must be many out there who would consider anything less than total background silence unlistenable, if so, stick with CDs :-)

Seriously, the best solution around this I'm aware of is to buy the low-output Grados (0.5mV). Not only do they sound somewhat better if you've a good MC preamp, but there is far less wire to pick up the motor EMI, so hum for the same setup is reduced by at least an order of magnitude and rendered a non-issue.