Mono playback system part two

[Mellotronix]

I shared my disappointment with my attempt at creating a mono playback system--I think it was on this forum. Anyway, I decided not to give up on it completely.

I was surprised to find that the very nice aluminum/MDF/TEP platter from a nonworking Project Classic dropped right into my working Project Esprit, no mods necessary. The motors on both are essentially the same, so no issues with spinning the much heavier platter.

The one nagging issue on my mono playback system was the famous Grado hum. It was only audible at higher volumes when the turntable approached the runout groove, but I was never going to be happy with it. The aluminum platter completely eliminates the hum acting like a big, heavy shield between the cartridge and the motor.

It also has improved the sound. Bass is less boomy, treble is more extended and louder (cartridge still needs some break in so I'm hoping the top end mellows), and the heavy, well-damped platter revealed the missing midrange. Overall, it's a much more stable and balanced sounding presentation. Looks pretty cool too.

 

[Redd House]

Very cool !
Glad you got it sorted out.

 

[Sandstrom]

Glad to hear you have gotten your Mono goodness going. I really like the look of the platter on that table and the shielding/sounding benefits are such a plus, Enjoy!

 

[Ilikevinyl]

Grado cartridges sound best with arm mass of 14 grams, with front of the cartridge at a 2 degree tilt backward. So the arm pivot will be slightly lower than the headshell. Read these two things from Grado, about their cartridges. Followed this advice for my Grado ME+ mono cartridge and it really sings!!

Your Grado hums because it's an AC motor. Grado needs a DC motor for not to hum.

 

[Mellotronix]

Grado cartridges sound best with arm mass of 14 grams, with front of the cartridge at a 2 degree tilt backward. So the arm pivot will be slightly lower than the headshell. Read these two things from Grado, about their cartridges. Followed this advice for my Grado ME+ mono cartridge and it really sings!!

Your Grado hums because it's an AC motor. Grado needs a DC motor for not to hum.

I'm aware of that, but I fixed the hum issue with the upgraded aluminum/TPE/mdf platter which acts as a very effective shield. The Project TT that I'm using it with does not have any VTA adjustments, but I could use shims if necessary; however, the cart sounds really sweet at the moment other than a slight amount of EQ bump in the 4K region. Break-in will likely take care of that (it did on my Grado Statement...).

 

[Ilikevinyl]

I'm aware of that, but I fixed the hum issue with the upgraded aluminum/TPE/mdf platter which acts as a very effective shield. The Project TT that I'm using it with does not have any VTA adjustments, but I could use shims if necessary; however, the cart sounds really sweet at the moment other than a slight amount of EQ bump in the 4K region. Break-in will likely take care of that (it did on my Grado Statement...).

Yes, most cartridges have a break-in period. You can also use a platter mat with the correct thickness to get the correct VTA, if you don't want to go the shim route.