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Does Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC have motor hum issues?

D

dbarila

Active Member
I know I've seen on here, among other places, of the motor hum issues with the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. I was just wondering if anyone knew if this was still an issue with the DC motor? I see Musician's Friend has a 15% off right now and they now sell the Debut Carbon DC. It seemed pretty tempting. But I'm not in favor of having to do some DYI fixes on a $450 turntable to stop the motor hum.
 
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Someone posted about this - and the fix seemed very easy - they were very happy with the result - should be a safe bet.
 
Well, they named it correctly. :^) From my reading it seems like a gamble, you might get one that doesn't hum or you might need to do some fettling. I'd say buy from a vendor with a good return policy and close-by if possible.
 
I don't know of any hi fi shops here in Hanover, PA. I was hoping the DC motor would be different. I actually have a U-Turn Orbit on order but I was debating going a level up.
 
I had a Carbon and had problems with the hum you hear about. It can mostly be fixed with 2 or 3 dollars in parts. You should do a search on this site. Plenty of info available. I fixed mine but then sold it because I bought three other turntables I liked better.
 
If I'm not mistaken, The Pro-Ject Carbon Dc doesn't actually have a DC motor, but a power supply which regenerates AC from DC, similar to Pro-Ject Speed Box and other devices.
 
I have a DC. You can hear the motor running when not playing a record, but it is not picked up by the cartridge or reproduced through the amp/speakers.
 
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Did you ever consider the new Rega RP1 table. Included, a new Rega RB101 tonearm with the Ortofon OM5e moving magnet cartridge.
This table has no hum, rumble or whatever coming from the motor or from the platter. This is the entry level Rega, but a high quality entry level table nonetheless.
You won't have to worry about hum, a fix, or anything else with this table.

Around, 420.00$ to 430.00$ USD, about the same price as the Project Debut and less expensive than the Music Hall MMF

Music Hall and Project are twin, same arm, same motor, same factory.
 
Rega RP1 is on my radar. The only reason I asked about the Pro-Ject is I saw the 15% off on Musicians Friend and they don't carry the Rega.
 
Looking around online, found an RP1 Open Box on soundstagedirect.com for $374. They said it was only open to check for color. I've never dealt with them but it sounds tempting.
 
Seems like for every entry level turntable you find just as many bad stuff as good. I don't know if it's just people being picky or what.
 
Your first choice the USA made U-Turn Orbit was the best choice, forget the other turntables along with their fixes and upgrades. The U-Turn provides good honest performance for less dollars spent.
 
The majority of Project debut, if not all, will need a fix.

One or two or 5 Rega RP1 with a bent hub will make noises, no question about it, and you will end up having doubts about the product, if it happen to you.
I understand the dealer will send him a new part. ??

Anyway, you buy something that has problems, return it, and get a replacement. All honest distributors will do it, no questions asked.

As for the Project Debut problems, the answers from all distributors seem to be, find a fix by yourself.

Entry levels components should be free of defects, same as the very expensive one.
I remember VPI having some problems with their very expensive tables. Eventually VPI found a fix. It happens to everyone.

By the way, you buy something new, ask the dealer if you can bring it home for a week or so. Most dealers will lend it to you for up to two weeks. If we're talking about a table, you will have to use your own cartridge, common sense.
Here in Halifax, there's a dealer that will lend you any gears for a try out, any.

Just saying,,,
 
There are plenty of dealers within an hour of you if you wish to venture out of the LV.
Allentown is dead as far as hifi goes.
 
my carbon had a hum...I fixed it...

My problem was all the reviews were "this is the best ever" so the bar was set too high...you get what you pay for...
 
I suspect some of the hum issues are to do with noisy power coming from various sources. I had ballast fixtures on the same circuit as my Parasound amp and it would hum just a little. I recently replaced the ballasts in those and the 9 fixture kitchen array. I had noticed the hum was gone, I should check the Pro-ject too...
 
Ballist fixtures could very likely cause a turntable to hum but the widespread reports all over the web of the Project hum is unlikely for all of it to be caused by ballist fixtures. There have been some fixes by owners, if some owners can fix the Project hum why can't Project fix the hum? If I was buying a new turntable I wouldn't want to have to fix it for starters. Projeect buyers aren't getting what was advertised and what they are paying for. It's a combination of poor design, materials and quality control, you don't even get what you pay for.
 
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