Is it possible to have vinyl nearly noise free?


I’ve been cleaning my vinyl starting with spin clean then using Orbitrac cleaning then do a vacuum with record dr. And finally putting on gruv glide..and I still hear some ticks and pops. Is it impossible to get it nearly completely quiet? Would like to ask all the analog audiophiles out there. Please share what is the best method and sequence to clean vinyl..thx everyone.
tubelvr1

Showing 4 responses by fleschler

I have 25,000 LPs and 7,000 78s.  I tolerate record noise to some extent.  I hated LP ticks and pops back in the 70s and 80s, prior to having near SOTA equipment.  Since the 90s, I've experienced mostly quiet LPs and those with minor, non-continuous pops and clicks are just not annoying.  Used and damaged LPs are listenable but the future purchase of a Sugar Cube is pending.  My VPI cleaning sometimes eliminates the pops and clicks, other times the LP is damaged and it isn't a matter of just dust/dirt.  Sometimes its just bad vinyl (I too have really excellent, nearly or silient vinyl pressings from the European and Japanese labels).  The Sugar Cube will probably be an eye opener for 78s.  Despite the high end reproduction, (dynamic and rich sounding mid range), surface noise is often at a pop and click level.  The new algorhythms of the Sugar Cube are said to alleviate this type of surface noise.   

I am too lazy and uninterested in wet cleaning every new or silent LP I have.to remove the mold release compound.  I've played some new or silent LPs 100 times and they still are silent   Sometimes an LP like 70s and 80s DGG just get ticky from one play despite using the Talisman.  But mostly, my LPs sound very quiet and guests can't tell if I'm playing a CD or LP, that's pretty quiet,

Rollintubes-exactly.  Although I do have some newer 78s, the HRS reissues exceptional vocal 78s on virgin vinyl from the original metal parts.  Those are tick and pop free surfaced 78s.  The rest of my 7,000 78s date from 1898 to early 1950s and are considered old by current standards.  I also consider purchasing the Kirmuss ultrasonic cleaning system for 78s where I just let the machine do all the cleaning and don't contaminate my VPI cleaning machine. 

I've tried cleaning some noisy valuable LPs, such as 50's EMI and Deccas worth $100-1000 new that turn out to be damaged by prior user (and cost me about $1/disc).  Those would also be worth digitizing   Due to my new home and listening room costs, I can't splurge on a Sugar Cube 2 for another year.  
Ralph, that's is exactly what happened when I upgraded my phono/pre-amps.  The solid state 70's and 80's phono/pre-amps  illuminated the pops and clicks.  I couldn't believe how quiet my LPs got after switching to a high end subminiature tube set of phono/pre-amps since 2009 or even the intermediate EAR 864 pre-amp & EAR 324 phono pre-amp from 2006.  Also, my MCs finally got the correct impedance loading using SUTs.   47K exacerbated the tipped up highs and record noise.
I've played some LPs 100s of times (well at lest 100-200) and they are close to or about the same sounding as when I purchased them for use on higher end equipment.  The quality of the vinyl is very important if the equipment is correctly aligned.  Poor quality vinyl will deteriorate rather quickly (some off-brand vinylite 50s  LPs appear to sound worse every play).  I try not to play an LP more than once in a 24 hour period so that the vinyl has time to cool and relax after playing (the heat in the groove is high during play).