Hello -

I recently bought a Beogram 1800 turntable - the model from 1984-1986, not the Type 5213 from 1968-1972.  It is configured for the U.S.(where I live), and has RCA outputs and a two-prong electrical plug with a separate ground wire. The eBay seller runs an audio store, and said it worked fine with the MMC3 cartridge he tested it with.  I trust his description.  The turntable came without a cartridge, so I purchased a Sound Smith SMMC4.  I connected it into my Beomaster 5000, which works fine with a CD50 and a Beogram 4002 that I own.  Unfortunately, the 1800 deck generates loud speaker hum even though I grounded it.  The hum diminishes greatly - but not entirely - if I put my hand on the top plate.  I recall some posts in the former Beoworld that talked about record deck hum, and believe they stated that grounding was the cure.  I'm stymied that I'm getting hum even though the deck is properly grounded.  Does anyone have any thoughts on a cure?  Would it help to use a five-pin connector rather than the RCA plugs, and if so, how easy is the switch?  Thanks for any help.

John