I just got a new cartridge (Grado). I put it on and got a hum. So I put back on the old one. Still got the hum. This was not there before. Checked grounds, Ok. So I took off the cart, no hum. As soon as I put on any wire I get the hum. Where the heck is this coming from?

I want to invest in a set of speakers, around 200 dollars. Ive been looking around and i am thinking about Acoustic Energy's aego m. Does anyone out there have these or know if Acoustic Energy makes quality products?
http://www.acoustic-energy.co.uk/Product_range/Aego_series/Aego_M.asp
all opinions appreciated

I have owned Valhalla power cord for 2 and half years now. I have cut and sliced everything to pieces and now I know the truth. I have written many megabytes of logs so I will try to sum up everything into a short text.

Noise + Valhalla = Real life

I have found that Valhalla uses AC noise in order to give fake transparency to the sound. It doesn't function without the noise, the noise must be there! It works best when plugged into the wall without any shielding or power conditioning.

Hi.I'm in the painful quest (for me at least) of getting a good imaging in my stereo system. (Basically a NAD pre, Golden Theater amp and Triangle Antal ESW speakers). The thing is that I have experienced how wonderful, glorious and revealing music can be when you have your speakers well placed. I need a reference: does the voice (in most of the songs and styles from pop to rock from jazz to easy listening) always should come from the center? I am talking in a two speakers stereo system.