Just retired and want to get back to vinyl listening

If you plan to be playing vinyl, here's a tip:

A lot of ticks and pops that are often associated with LP reproduction are actually artifacts of the phono preamp. This is because if the phono circuit is unstable, it can exacerbate a tick or pop event and make it much more audible than it actually is on the LP surface. This has nothing to do with bandwidth or EQ accuracy BTW- it has to do with how stable the circuit is.

You will find also that the better phono circuits do not require cartridge loading (assuming you are using a low output cartridge) as well (but just to make things more confusing, high output cartridges like most MM cartridges require loading; I can expound on this if you like).

If the preamp does not need loading to sound right with a low output moving coil cartridge, its likely that it will also be more resistant to ticks and pops.

Finally, nearly all cartridges are a naturally balanced source, so it is possible to run balanced from the cartridge right to the preamp. This will eliminate the interconnect cable as a sonic variable, in the very best place to have such an advantage- at the input of the system.

Good Luck!

An effective cleaning regimen is also essential, particularly if you dive into used records. There are a million and one ways, different machines, methods, etc. I've had the best success combining traditional vacuum type with ultrasonic. The latter you can DIY at fairly low cost. 

$500 Okki Nokki machine with Audio Intelligent three step fluid system and three Disc Doctor brushes works just fine. The key is to soak with fluid one and two before vacuuming off regardless of how vinyl looks. I usually soak for about 10 minutes with each, sometimes twice. And the last step is double water rinse, double water. Very time consuming.

again thanks all for input.......... been away about 4 days in Shenandoah NP visit.. only 2 weeks before moving van comes.. I’m interesting learn about separate phone stages versus say the one built into the luxman 590axII -- as this was mention in the inputs -- thanks

all the record "cleaning" devices is a whole other learning area

Yep, record cleaning is a whole new thing. Good bang for buck too.

I use ultrasound. In my system, it made almost as big a difference as going from good moving magnet to great moving coil. For 20% of the money - actually, about the cost of a set of fairly costly cables.