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Which part reduces surface noise most?

Hi all -

I have been lucky enough to hear a few turntable setups that put surface noise/cracks and pops "on another plane", which makes focusing on the music so much easier. These tables have included:

Well-Tempered w/ unk Audio Technica Cart and modified Dyna PAS 3 preamp
Linn LP12 with various Benz Micro cartridges and Audio Research phono stage
Kuzma Stabi with Cardas Heart (Modded Benz Ruby) cart /BAT phono stage

However, I've yet to recreate this phenomenon at my home. Granted, I've never spent the kind of money required to buy the 'tables listed above, but I'm wondering where the next upgrade step is for me.

I currently have a Techncis 1210 with Cardas wiring and the KAB fluid damper with an Ortofon 2m Blue cart playing through a NAD 304 integrated. The sound is pretty good, but the crackles and pops still really bother me.

In your experience, is it a function of the the stylus profile, the phono stage, low-output vs high-output, mc vs mm, or any combination of the aforementioned that will help me in my quest to separate the noise from the music?

Any input will be most appreciated, thanks!
joelv
restock
831 posts
 
An excellent record cleaner with good cleaning fluids (Audio Intelligent, MoFi, Disc Doctor)!
joelv's avatar
joelv OP
103 posts
 
I suppose I forgot to mention that I am a Disc Doctor user. And while I'll agree that cleaning with good stuff -including vacuum machines -helps reduce noise, I haven't found that it does that magic "renders the noise insignificant" thing I'm talking about.

To further illustrate: listening to slightly noisy records on my current system, I "see" a sonic picture somewhat like noisy film - the action and scratches are both on the same plane. In contrast, when listening on the Well-Tempered table I mentioned, I felt like I was looking through a window at a live performance, and the little crackles were like smudges on the glass that I could easily see around.

That's what I'm aiming for. I hope I'm being clear :)
mosin
410 posts
 
If you have a clean record and a good cartridge, the pops bad crackles aren't there. That's when you hear the other artifacts that need to be addressed, though. ;)

I really not sure if it's a war that can be won. As soon as you think you are there, you'll hear something that's better!
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