[SET Man]

Hey!

    Well, I'm spinning couple of LPs tonight. And going through those new catalogs from Music Direct and Acoustic Sounds. Looking at those beautiful TTs  Those TTs make my simple black Rega Planar 2 look like... well a simple black TT.

    Anyway, most of TTs are equipped with AC motor but I've seen also that some of the new TT are equipped with DC motor. Isn't the JA Michell TT use to have AC motor? And what about the new Funk of which come with DC motor. Of cause almost all cheaper mass market TTs use DC motor.

    My Rega have AC motor and the down side that I know is that with Grado cart it will cause a very bad hum. Isn't DC motor supposed to be quieter  and AC with better speed stability right?

     But beside that what is the advantage each type have over each other? Had any JA Michell owner upgraded thier AC motor to DC one? If so what is the improvement?

Take care,
Buddy

[TheChairGuy]

There's a lot to the AC vs. DC debate...positives and negatives for both.  I'll steer clear of that controversy 

The Grado hums because of micophony...the newer Rega's seem to have motor feedback tamed a bit better due to better isolation of the motor.  So, I don't know if you have vintage or newer 'P' versions, but the newer ones may not necessarily elicit the famed Grado hum.

Reducing the Grado cartridge microphony a bit requires a steady hand and 1000cst silicone.  There a post here about the (van Alstine) Longhorn Modification in the Vinyl Circle a while back that will help guide you along on how to do it.

It's a cinch to do, Buddy, really it is.

[Gliding Dutchman]

It is ot "microphony" The Grado's are very sensitive to AC (alternating current) like 60Hz mains AC. The REGA's old AC motors aren't very good shielded...

If it was microphony then all cartridges would have 'hummed' on a REGA.

Kind regards,
Gliding Dutchman

[Wayner]

DC motors are cheaper to make.