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Can a phono stage really do this?

I just acquired a MAGI Phonomenal phono stage, which feeds a very compatible MAGI line stage. I have a Boz Scaggs album of Great American Songbook standards, which previously has displayed some pressig noise, such as crackling sounds that seem to syncrhonize with the rotation of the record.

I got this MAGI Phonomenal phono stage (handwired PTP), sometimes compared to the Manley Steelhead), and played the Boz Scaggs album with the new phono preamp. There was no noise. No mungy crackling to accompany the rotation of the record. Just pure, high resolution extraction of the musical elements of the LP. It was wonderful.

Can phono stages do this, or is it the result of lucky turntable setup with better tracking force, anti-skating adjustment, and azimuth adjustment? The TT is a Technics SL1210 M5G with KAB fluid damper and Oracle Groove Isolator sorbothane mat. But I never heard this record without the pressing noise until I got the Phonomenal. Cartridge is an Audio Technica AT150MLX with microline stylus.
johnnyb53
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Johnny, yes, tics and pops and crackling can be dramatically affected by the phono stage. Ralph/Atmasphere has made that point in a number of past threads, such as this one. I'm not familiar with the MAGI Phonomenal, but if it uses passive RIAA equalization with no feedback that would help to explain why it has been beneficial with respect to those issues.

Regards,
-- Al
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Agree with Al.
Properly loaded cartridge will tick and click substantially lower even through the scratches.
Don't forget that kinematic setup of arm/cartridge and proper alignment is also crucial.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
It's the stylus/cartridge/arm/turntable combination that is rejecting the tics and pops, not the phono stage.
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