Perhaps this should be in the vinyl circle, but that would restrict some of my comments (pro AVA stuff), so it is better suited to Frank's circle. Others from the vinyl circle and other ilks may join, but understand you are in an owner's thread.
To start, let me say that in the last month or so, with my newly created turntable ARCom, I have never enjoyed vinyl with such excitement. Perhaps it's the synergy between the components, like the Insight+ EC preamp with the optional phono board, or the Ultravalve amplifier or even the Dynaco modded A25XL's, the fact is, there is some superb vinyl being played at this house.
There is an indescribable thrill listening to vinyl, and have the end of the song fade to black. Of course, a clean record helps, but so does a clean signal. When you have everything right, the system lets you know as it vanishes, letting the music be the center of attention, rather then the equipment.
One of those evil little mood destroyers is that dreaded hummmmm, that every vinyl guy/gal fears. It ruins the music, and leaves the listener watching TV. Where does the hum come from? Is there more then once source of hum? Can I have more then one cause?
I hope some of you jump in with some of your stories. Hopefully you can post a cause and a solution, and if you have a problem, perhaps the minds here can help you find a solution.
As I was finishing ARCom, I had a slight hum problem. The hum wasn't really in the normal playing level, but, like most of you, I jack the volume up when I'm not playing a record, just to see what the background is like. Well at about 11:30 position, the hum would start to show up. It took me 2 days to figure out that it was the ungrounded mounting base for my AR ES-1 tonearm that was the cause.
Lesson learned. If it's a metal part connected to the tonearm in any way shape or form, it's an antenna element. Unless it's grounded, it's a case for being a hum producer. Sure the body of the tonearm is grounded, but the ground thru the pivot is weak. It's a moving pivot that doesn't sometimes offer the best path for grounding, so the enemy was the metal base. An attachment wire to the ground screw was the fix.
I'm sure there are other stories out there.
Wayner