One of the great things about Vinyl

@unreceivedogma

i listened on top-rank equipment using a 10 grand turntable with a top-rank shibata stylus, a direct-to-disk record that had been cleaned, surface noise [rumble, groove roar, hiss, ticks] was unmistakable through speakers. perhaps my hearing is keener than most, as i've always protected it. i can hear the residual noise on a dolby-A-encoded master tape. 

@emrofsemanon

The link to a description of my system is posted above.

I just had my hearing checked. It’s normal for my age.

You do need to keep the records clean.

I don’t know what to say. For the overwhelming majority of my records, noise is not an issue. For me, the analog is a better experience than the digital.

@unreceivedogma 100% agree.  Top-ranked equipment, well I have top rank sound with less than SOTA equipment but I have NO noise problem with the overwhelming majority of my 28,500 LPs.  His system is faulty.  A high end analog system minimizes surface noise and record defects to the extent that they are either unheard or nominally heard.  My Japanese vinyl DtoD discs are SILENT other than for the music.  Rumble, groove roar-I haven't heard rumble since I was 15 (52 years ago) listening to my Dual 1209 with a Stanton 661 or Grado Sig 1.  I have a Townshend seismic sink under a VPI TNT VI/SME IV modified, SDS speed unit = ZERO groove roar or rumble.

Yeah, I've mentioned this ad infinitum but I enjoy the occasional click & pop. When it's old rock and roll I often get a kick out of the wow that occurs when the center hole ain't exactly in the center. Spitty sibilants and buzzy pianos, though, never fail to make my teeth grind.

It’s superior to digital.