Frustrated with Vinly

Some questions:

What settings are you using on the SimAudio phono stage? With a 2M Blue I would expect the best settings to be:

Input impedance: 47K
Gain: 40 db
Input capacitance: 0 pf

The recommended load capacitance for the 2M Blue is 150 to 300 pf, which will probably be provided by the capacitance of your phono cable and the tonearm wiring. Given the very high inductance of that cartridge (700 mH), if you are not using the minimum capacitance setting of the phono stage ("0 pf," which in reality is probably a few tens of pfs), you would be moving a high frequency resonant peak in the overall response well down into the mid-treble region, which would likely add a good deal of emphasis to tics and pops. And that would be especially true if you are using either the 330 pf or 430 pf input capacitance setting provided by the phono stage.

Also, if the gain of the phono stage is set to something higher than 40 db it is possible that some of the crackling you hear at times may actually be the result of overloading the phono stage or the preamp or integrated amp.

Finally, what tracking force are you using? It should be in the area of 1.8 to 2.0 grams.

Regards,
-- Al

1-Listen to Al.  
2-What city are you in.  We will find you some friends.

Those of you who are using and recommending ultrasonic record cleaners, which are you using, and if you don’t mind sharing, how much did they set you back. Like Jay said, the snap, crackle and pop of even immaculate looking and well cared for records is disturbing, but I’ve maybe 1500 of these treasures and would never part with them. I am considering a VPI record cleaning rig, but maybe ultrasonic would be a better way to go if you feel it’s that much better.

Mike

The way I heard it ALL vinyl pressed pruducts have minute lube residue. When the stylus hits it it creates a permanent tick. The only way to avoid noise is ultrasonic immersion BEFORE any play. Orhttps://sweetvinyl.com/collections/frontpage/products/sc-1-mini

Jay, etal,
A lot of the problem, especially this time of year with cold temps and low humidty is static charge, which will make the newest album sound like rice krispy's.  There is Gruv Guard that uses traditional ammonium salts for anti-static.  Jay, your turntable is a 2-wire design, so it does not have a 3-wire ground, and that may complicate your ability to ground yourself.  The following is a parts list and process that I have used to recover some pretty noisey (from deep debris) albums, and I challenge whether an RCM is any better other than faster.

Parts List:
1. Vinylstack 1 Manual Cleaner & Stand = $52
2. Talas Tergitol 15-S-9 Non-Ionic Surfactant 1 pint = $22
3. Record Doctor Wet/Dry Cleaning Brush = $20
4. Kinetronics Anti-Static Microfiber Cloth, 10x18-Inch Tiger Cloth = $8
5. Two (2) clean spray bottles about 1 pint each, maybe $5 at most both
6.  One (1) Gallon Distilled Water from your local grocery store = $1
7.  Mobile Fidelity Record Sleeves = $20 for 50

Process:
1.  Add distilled water to one spray bottle, fill full and label DIW
2.  Add distilled water to one spray bottle 3/4 full, and add 2-3 ml of the Tergitol surfactant, cap and gently shake to mix and then top off to full with distilled water, and label NID.  Note, 15-18 drops equals on 1 ml.
3.  Place Vinylstack label protector on stand, remove outer label protector, install record, assemble and tighten.  When tight the record will spin against the magnetic, remove from the stand, and tighten about about 1/4 additional turn to secure the label protector.
4.  Move to kitchen sink, and using NID spray bottle, liberally wet both sides.
5.  Using Record Doctor Brush, in a circular motion work/scrub the record with the NID solution.  Note, a soft bristle toothbrush will work, just not as well.  Do not worry about foam that may develop.
6.  KEY Step, using just tap water (tepid - just barley warm), flush with steady stream (no need for spray) both surfaces until free of any NID.  Shake to remove some bulk drops.
7.  KEY Step, using DIW spray bottle, liberally spray the record surface from top to bottom to remove the tap water leaving the DIW that will be spot free.  Shake to remove bulk drops.
8.  Using the  yellow microfiber cloth provided with the Vinylstack, dry in a circular motion to remove most water.
9.  Using the Kinetronics cloth to final dry and leave a static-free surface - there will be very little moisture left.  Give the record a good 2 shakes, hang on the handle so you throw the record across the room 😉, and wipe any visible drops.
10.  Place record with label protector on stand.  Remove handle and outer protector, wipe away any visible drops with  Kinetronics cloth .  Flip record and wipe any visible drop. 
11.  You can leave the record on stand to dry or lean against any hard surface to fully dry which will be just a few minutes.
12.  Once dry place in Mobile Fidelity sleeve.

The total process time is about 10 minutes.  The Vinylstack equipment is very well manufactured.  The above process has the benefit over other processes
of the two rinses.  The first rough rinse with flowing water really flushes the surface, flushing the cleaner and any other loose debris, and the DIW spray makes sure that a spot free surface will be achieved.  If this process sounds smiliar to washing a car, well, absent the wax, it is, and it is commonly used for manual precision aqueous cleaning.  Also, this process has a very low life cycle cost, because you use so little cleaner, and so little DIW.  And, since the drying cloth are only used to remove distilled water, there is no need to wash, just hang to dry, and shake before use.  The DIW spray bottle can stored in the fridge - absolutely no harm should a child use.  The NID spray bottle, is really safe, and could be stored in the fridge to prevent any degradation, the solution concentration is really low, but you need to consider your domestic situation for appropriate safety.

Otherwise, good luck, and as always, Enjoy the Music!