Are your record surfaces as silent as CDs?


When I got my new analog setup (please refer to my profile if interested ) I was very surprised that surface noise virtually disappeared from most of my records.  It’s like I was listening to CDs.  I’m wondering if others have had that same experience.with their setup.

128x128rvpiano

Most of my some 2000 records were bought new (some used) and very well taken care of. I listen mainly to classical music where volume levels vary and are often soft. Still very little if any surface noise.
I also clean them from time to time.

I think when you're listening to LPs surface noise comes with the territory and it's something you live with. Unless it's gravel road extreme our mind largely tunes it out. An odd thing I found when I upgraded my cartridge is that it didn't seem to pick up dust the way my old budget model did. That one I had to clean off once per side of a record.

Technically, vinyl can only give you about 60db S/N exclusive of the pre-amp (although different vinyls these days provide somewhat better that that), and CDs at least 95db+, so CDs will always be quieter.  A properly designed phono pre will, itself, be quieter then the record, so you shouldn't  have any additive noise.

However, with a lot of the newer turntables these days having internal ADC/DAC systems to get you that USB connection that can't be switched out of the way to get your a direct out RCA feed, then your S/N is going to be based on the turntable's electronics, not the vinyl. 

Similar to the analog vs digital approach to sound reproduction & generally, CD’s either work w/ virtually no surface noise or they don’t work at all & records always have some surface noise from the penny on the head shell department store model to the very best. Of course both can sound great depending on a multitude of factors but CD’s / digitally sourced music wins every time in this category. 
 

I have to admit that even though I have a really nice Basis turntable/ arm combo for many years & lots of records, since I got an Innuos server & Qobuz, I’ve gotten very lazy & don’t play much vinyl now.