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Question about background noise

’Sup?
So, I’ve been lazily progressing along on my phono pre journey, with a Simaudio Moon LP110 now in the system that comprises a VPI HW-19 MK4 with a SAMA, an aging Sumiko FT-3 arm, and a brand new (~ 55 hours or so) Hana SL cartridge. Listening to some acoustic recordings of classical guitar or some Julie London LP’s, I notice that the background is more gray than black. Like, there’s a discernible hollow sound between and during tracks (though not noticeable once the instrument/vocal dynamics ramp up).

Is this an artifact of the new cartridge, the new cartridge, the actual pressing, or something else entirely? I’m not particularly bothered by it, but I know it could be more silent.
simao
slaw's avatar
slaw
23,673 posts
 
@simao,

You did not mention any changes other than your introducing (new to you) components. Assuming you’ve listened to these lps previously, but are only now hearing this issue.....I’d say it’s the increased resolution of your newer components that are allowing you to discover the faults on your lps?
lewm
13,771 posts
 
The noise, or lack of noise, between cuts on an LP reveals any other source of noise other than the music, at the particular gain setting of the phono stage. Could be on the vinyl, could be the signal to noise ratio of your particular phono stage at that particular gain setting, could be due to any extraneous sources of noise in your system, like EMI and RFI. One thing I know: if I hear no inter-cut noise at my listening position, I am happy. If I hear "something", I try to think it through to determine what might be happening. Usually in those cases, I decide it’s nothing I can easily fix.

One phenomenon that could be operative in the OP's case is "bleed through".  This apparently can happen with masters made from tape or right on the LP, where the upcoming groove is heard through the groove being played.  I don't quite get the mechanism of the latter, but I do hear "pre-groove echo" on the odd occasion.  That is musical though.  I suppose it's even possible that electronic noise laid down in the studio is heard in between cuts.
slaw's avatar
slaw
23,673 posts
 
@lewm ,

I thought of "bleed through" but the way the OP described his experience seemed to take that out of the equation.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
cleeds- PMS?
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
cleeds writes:
Many things can contribute to noise on an LP, including dirt and a worn or improperly aligned stylus.


Q: Do any of these ever result in the "hollow sound" described?

A: No. 

And yet anyone who has listened to a lot of LPs, even really nicely cleaned ones on beautifully set up rigs, knows they aren't all dead quiet and in fact some do have some pretty odd sounding backgrounds. Which are not dirt, are not alignment, are not anything but in the pressing. Which at the very least means it is not absurd to consider.

My guess is you will find this one a little harder to take OTR.
(Off The Record. What did you think it meant?)

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