Surface noise

Loading the cartridge? Now you've lost me.

Problem solved !!!!! Thanks to everyone for the advice. All I did was bump the VTF to 2 grams from 1.5. No more "noise" in between tracks. Should I start to tweak it down a bit until I hear the noise again?
Brian

Grados don't seem to like excessive tracking forces. I would not go above 1.7 grams.

As per loading. There is a lot of discussion about loading MC cartridges (most of it bogus- loading MC cartridges is all about energy at RF frequencies rather than audio frequencies- there are other threads regarding this matter).

But MM cartridges should be loaded too. 'Loading' is the act of putting a load (usually a resistor) across the output of the cartridge (or input of the preamp). Because they are higher impedance than MC cartridges, the loading value is much higher as well. Like I mentioned before, Grados like something in the neighborhood of 8K-12K ohms. Your stock phono section will have something around 47K. This value will allow most MM cartridges to 'ring' (distort). By loading them, the ringing is reduced or eliminated and you will find the presentation much smoother, often more 3D, with less surface noise yet the same bandwidth (assuming that you got the loading value correct).

If the loading value is too low, the highs will suffer and you will loose output.

Any suggestions on what resistor I should try as far as make/model and where I can get one?
Thanks again,
Brian

surface noise is caused by the following phenomena

1) incorrect VTA, so that the sylus makes incorrect angled contact with the groove
2) signal induction into a MM cartridge from a ferrous platter
3) stylus wear forming flat wear spots that interfere with tracking of recorded vibration in the audible range
4) incorrect stylus pressure (usually too low)
5) aging of rubber like materials in some types of stylus suspensions

In addition, incorrect antiskating can cause a channel imbalance of surface noise

The signal to noise ratio of a properly setup, functioning catridge is determined by
a) the catridge manufacturer design
b) the ability of the TT to prevent micro transient vibrations from interfering with accurate stylus vibration tracing; micro vibrations cause an averaging/reduction in dynamic range between softest and loudest passages on vinyl playback.