2. analog
  3. 137127-1973

Phono stage can minimize tics and pops on vinyl

Recently @atmasphere  made an interesting statement twice on a thread about CD vs. LPs where he posited that one phono stage can minimize the sound of pops and tics over others.  

I recently upgraded from my 25 year old Aragon 47k phono stage to a Luxman E-250.  After sufficient break-in time, which was considerable, as I pulled out my old, though well kept vinyl, it became very clear that I was experiencing this effect with the Luxman.  The pops and tics were still there, but they were much lower in volume relative to the music and thus made all of my vinyl quieter in the sense of surface noise.

Interestingly, the treble was clear and open.  Well recorded jazz cymbals had that burnished brass sound with a natural airy decay.  You can readily tell the wood tipped sticks from the plastic ones!  Good hall sound and open, expansive soundspace!

So...have any of you ever experienced this kind of change, and if so, what might you attribute it to?

Thanks!
128x128hifiman5
terry9
2,354 posts
 
It's more than just circuit topology, at least that's what my experiments show.

I built two examples of a phono/pre based on the same schematic. The first used some premium parts, but not all. The second was an all-out assault on the state of the art, with vacuum and air-gap caps in the signal path, aerospace transistors, etc.

Power supply remained the same, +/- 6V batteries. Overload margin, etc. was pretty much identical. But sound is not. The improvement is not subtle.

There is no substitute for premium parts. In my experience.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,992 posts
 
Transient response rise time and decay, and power supply stability contribute to superior recovery from vinyl damage noise.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
It seems that there is some agreement here about the importance of a robust, well executed power supply allowing for an overload margin that minimizes the sound of vinyl surface imperfections.

I wonder if any of the "budget" phono stages can accomplish this?

There are so many very inexpensive phono stages on Music Direct.  Can any of them be robust enough to minimize surface noise?
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,992 posts
 
Dunno but don’t fall into the trap of giving up detail ands inner resolution for a filtered sound with a cheaper phono amp. I’ve been so happy with my phono-pre that I’ve never felt the need to experiment with suppressing vinyl noise. However the cartridge/stylus might be a better way of helping with that trade off. My Decca is unforgiving but I don’t care as the music shines through. I also run an older Ortofon when I need quieter vinyl.
luxmancl38
580 posts
 
A couple of things to add about the E-250 is it also has a vg sut. And a cart demagnetizer. I have a Luxman CL-38U-SE and the tube phono is the best phono I ever owned. Very quiet as it has 4 step up transformers 2 for MC High and 2 for MC Low. The E-250 is $100 less than the Parasound JC3+ and having heard both is far superior.
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