I wonder if anyone can advise? I've had a Inspire Rega turntable for years. It's got the full Groovtracer package, lots of SRM Tech stuff, and a J7 re-wired 303 arm. External speed drive PSU and Swagman PS to that PSU. I'm using a 2m Black. It's on a dedicated and well-isolated wall shelf.
Until recently and for many years I have been alternating between a Haden Boardman 33.3 v3 valve phono stage and a SS Edwards MC3. But recently I moved house and in my new rather dreadful room my TT wasn't sounding right at all. I then acquired a Robert Airey Worx modded Jolida F159 (Black Ice Audio). Frankly, the improvement in sound repro was astonishing. A remarkable bit of kit, but I have also started suffering from marked subsonic speaker oscillations on any LP. I have tried modifying the VTF and azimuth and anti-skate and it doesn't make any difference. VTA is a cruder mod with the Rega arm but it is set on the middle shim position which is what everyone recommends. Moreover it is the position that has worked well before.
I'm told that Ortofon developed the 2M range specifically with the Rega arms in mind. They have always worked well together for me.
Is it possible that the phono-stage is just not compatible for the arm/cart combo, or is there another trick I'm missing? I have marked motor rumble, too.
I certainly l don't want to get into subsonic filters... That would be awful.
In my limited experience of swopping decent phono stages, there is often little between them, or if there is it's more a change of flavour that better or worse (which is why I kept both my other stages - I could never decide which I preferred!), by the Airey Worx F159 is a major step-up. Can these things simply be incompatible? I know it worked well in Robert's rig.
In short, what, all things considered, could be the cause? Any help greatly appreciated. I sure don't want to chop in the F159. It's absolutely wonderful.
Cheers, Richard