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New efficient speakers - best way to keep noise floor down?

I will be getting some new speakers soon and they will be a lot more efficient (98db compared to 86db) My analog front end is very quiet right now, but I'm thinking the noise floor is going to be a lot more noticeable with the new efficient speakers. Just to get ahead of the situation (in case it ends up bugging me) what is the best way to lower that noise floor? I already have a TT and cart that I love and I also have a good record cleaner, so I'm hoping it may be as simple as focusing on the phono pre-amp? Is that a correct assumption? If so, who makes the quietest noise floor phono stage for MM (and I am talking bang for the buck here - under $700 I'm hoping?) If not a phono stage, what else should I be looking into? Thanks!
bstatmeister
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
@sleepwalker65 brings up salient points. While you may not have much control of these factors, a low noise floor requires (systemwide) a proper grounding scheme. Including shields and tonearm internal wiring.

Note: this refers to *how* the wiring is implemented *not* how fancy the material are.



audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,205 posts
 
No efficient is not the key ,it is the quality of the drivers , 
the quality of the crossover, as well as the cabinet design .
i owneda Audio store  and some of the most efficient we’re actually some of the worst when put under a complex load .
the sum of the total  as is mentioned  means the most .
for example a Accuton ceramic driver has lessmoving mass 
then a paper cone and far less distortion , but because of its magnetic structure ,voice coil ,spider not as efficient to drive .
also much more expensive to make.
terry9
2,354 posts
 
I would add that ultrasonic cleaning with heroic rinsing in pure water has done a lot for my noise floor. Equal to cartridge and power isolation.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@audioman58

No efficient is not the key ,it is the quality of the drivers ,
the quality of the crossover

crossover is not necessary, the best high efficient drivers are full range without crossover and Nelson Pass designed current source amps for such speakers. My Zu Druid MK4 (101bd) does not have an active crossover at all, just high pass filter (passive) for supertweeter.

bstatmeister OP
537 posts
 
After thinking about this a bit more I think I may need to clarify. I wasn't hearing any grounding issues or hum. I think what I was hearing more of was surface noise of the record. Where the surface noise (the pops/ticks/general sound of the diamond being dragged across the vinyl) in my system doesn't sound as pronounced as it was in the demo system. Since that sound is coming from the stylus itself, likely that is not considered noise in the SNR? It's considered part of the signal?
I assume in this case better make sure you have pristine vinyl and look for a quiet cart?
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