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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
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Besides steam cleaning and a basic record hygeine routine, the single biggest improvement in music over surface noise came when I upgraded phono stages. I was not prepared for the improvement, in fact.

In my case, the upgrade was financially quite modest. I went from the built-in phono stage of a mid-'80s Amber Model 17 pre to a Cambridge 640p outboard phono stage. A whole buncha noise went away with that one change, along with more clarity, frequency extension, dynamics at both ends of the range, speed, and microdynamic subtleties. And all for a measly $169.

I also got incremental improvements in surface noise with an Oracle Groove Isolator mat (I'm sure any number of mats could help here) and using the rubber KAB Record Grip. That seems to knock a couple dB off the surface noise as well.
joelv's avatar
joelv OP
103 posts
 
I really like the Record Doctor stuff, but early on I learned too I rinse and rinse and rinse the record afterward. I suppose we're all too liberal with the cleaning fluid..?

I have to admit that the $169.00 Cambridge phono stage has now piqued my interest. It's such a small price, cheaper than a new cart, hmmmm. Everything I've read about it so far is glowing.

Has anyone compared this to something more expensive? Is it really a giant killer?
jtimothya
612 posts
 
Similar topic in a thread from June... I thought Ralph's answer particularly insightful.

tt surface noise reduce or tolerate

Tim
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
07-28-08: Joelv
I have to admit that the $169.00 Cambridge phono stage has now piqued my interest...

Has anyone compared this to something more expensive? Is it really a giant killer?
This review helped me decide to try the 640P. It was such an improvement over what I'd had that it kicked off upgrade fever. Next came a new cartridge, and then I tossed my sat/sub system for a 3x as expensive set of floorstanders that I am bi-amping. Now I'm shopping for a better line stage and amps.

*Based on what I've read,* at this point I suspect I'd have to go to the Dynavector 750 or Graham Slee Era Gold V to hear a significant improvement in phono stages.
joelv's avatar
joelv OP
103 posts
 
Thanks Johnnyb53, I read that review too and I think that will be the next purchase, though I'm selling my cart and will need another one of those too :)

It's funny how upgrade-itis strikes, isn't it? I bought a Technics 'table, began upgrading, then before the fluid damper even arrived, I had new floorstanding Triangle speakers (that ROCK by the way!), new speaker cables, and a new old integrated (The NAD 304 that I always regretted selling back in '96). Here I am considering a new phono stage and cart already. This has been an expensive 2 months!

Tim - Thanks for the link to the earlier thread...topics really are cyclical in a forum. I wonder how to check if phono preamps utilize zero-feedback circuitry if the manufacturer specs are hard to come by? I'll go read a little on this.

Has anyone used the Benz-Micro L2? I wonder if that will get me close enough to the Ruby that I won't want to upgrade for a while.
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