I used to use my gram with a 'normal amplifier'. It hummed unless I grounded the chassis. AsI only used it infrequently with said amplifier, I simply grounded the chassis from the metal chassis at the rear. Worked perfectly!

I suppose one problem is getting to it! I think Soundsmith have tried servicing MMCs so they probably have some expertise! It is a nich market as you say though. I don't know what is possible - a friend of mine has tried opening up MMC cartridges to repair them - usually electrical maladies with loose pins in MMC2s. He didn't have a very high

I would ask Lee at Lifestyle. He doesn't have one listed but he may have one or know someone who can get you one. STB brackets don't list one either.

It is a firmware issue - it will be fixed under warranty - it needs either fixing using the service tool or a new PCB.

Have you got a separate earth as well as the two RCA plugs? If not, get a piece of wire (almost any wire will do!) and jam in between the metal part of the lid and the back of the Beogram and attach this to the earth on your amplifier. You should find the hum goes. There is another earth in the Beogram that grounds the chassis and this will be missing

Speaker 2 is really designed for the MCL system so you cannot mute it. In all other respects it will act just like a normal Speaker 2 - it will always be on. I will be very interested to see what you think of them!

Fixed!

Probably the 5500 which does exactly as you describe.

As I said, connect both output wires to the positive and the pin 2 output (common ground) to the negative. One channel combined.

Surely all you need is the pin 3 and 5 output going to the positive and the pin 2 output going to the negative. Fairly ropey collections of connections and interesting there is no output thus your other speakers will still be dealing with full frequencies.