2. analog
  3. 149596-111507

New efficient speakers - best way to keep noise floor down?

I will be getting some new speakers soon and they will be a lot more efficient (98db compared to 86db) My analog front end is very quiet right now, but I'm thinking the noise floor is going to be a lot more noticeable with the new efficient speakers. Just to get ahead of the situation (in case it ends up bugging me) what is the best way to lower that noise floor? I already have a TT and cart that I love and I also have a good record cleaner, so I'm hoping it may be as simple as focusing on the phono pre-amp? Is that a correct assumption? If so, who makes the quietest noise floor phono stage for MM (and I am talking bang for the buck here - under $700 I'm hoping?) If not a phono stage, what else should I be looking into? Thanks!
bstatmeister

Showing 3 responses by bstatmeister

bstatmeister OP
534 posts
 
I worry about the noise floor problem because in my demo the bg noise was noticeable (but still sounded bloody fantastic). However, even though their analog equipment was totally different than mine, I think they are of similar quality so I'm thinking I might need to plan ahead.

bstatmeister OP
534 posts
 
good point, I do have a passive preamp (well in tube mode it has 1DB gain). My phono preamp does have adjustable gain settings. Right now I'm on the 48db setting, I suppose with the new speakers being efficient I could lower that to the 42db setting or even the 32 db setting (has the best SNR of all 4 settings). Keep forgetting my phono has those adjustable gain settings... This makes me feel better :)
bstatmeister OP
534 posts
 
After thinking about this a bit more I think I may need to clarify. I wasn't hearing any grounding issues or hum. I think what I was hearing more of was surface noise of the record. Where the surface noise (the pops/ticks/general sound of the diamond being dragged across the vinyl) in my system doesn't sound as pronounced as it was in the demo system. Since that sound is coming from the stylus itself, likely that is not considered noise in the SNR? It's considered part of the signal?
I assume in this case better make sure you have pristine vinyl and look for a quiet cart?
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