Are your record surfaces as silent as CDs?

I upgraded all my analog gear during the pandemic and I found that upgrading my cartridge from an high output Dynavector MC to a Hana ML (microline tip) had the biggest impact on noise levels.  That and investing in an ultrasonic record cleaning machine.  😁

@jeffseight 

Feikert turntable, Origin Live Silver arm, Sutherland 20/20 Phon, Clearaudio Maestro cartridge. (Same results with Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge.)

Most of my some 2000 records were bought new (some used) and very well taken care of. I listen mainly to classical music where volume levels vary and are often soft. Still very little if any surface noise.
I also clean them from time to time.

I think when you're listening to LPs surface noise comes with the territory and it's something you live with. Unless it's gravel road extreme our mind largely tunes it out. An odd thing I found when I upgraded my cartridge is that it didn't seem to pick up dust the way my old budget model did. That one I had to clean off once per side of a record.

Line contact styli have lower groove noise than elliptical/spherical.