2. analog
  3. 137127-1973

Phono stage can minimize tics and pops on vinyl

Recently @atmasphere  made an interesting statement twice on a thread about CD vs. LPs where he posited that one phono stage can minimize the sound of pops and tics over others.  

I recently upgraded from my 25 year old Aragon 47k phono stage to a Luxman E-250.  After sufficient break-in time, which was considerable, as I pulled out my old, though well kept vinyl, it became very clear that I was experiencing this effect with the Luxman.  The pops and tics were still there, but they were much lower in volume relative to the music and thus made all of my vinyl quieter in the sense of surface noise.

Interestingly, the treble was clear and open.  Well recorded jazz cymbals had that burnished brass sound with a natural airy decay.  You can readily tell the wood tipped sticks from the plastic ones!  Good hall sound and open, expansive soundspace!

So...have any of you ever experienced this kind of change, and if so, what might you attribute it to?

Thanks!
hifiman5

Showing 6 responses by hifiman5

hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
It seems that there is some agreement here about the importance of a robust, well executed power supply allowing for an overload margin that minimizes the sound of vinyl surface imperfections.

I wonder if any of the "budget" phono stages can accomplish this?

There are so many very inexpensive phono stages on Music Direct.  Can any of them be robust enough to minimize surface noise?
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
To maximize its performance, I like to play a pink noise band from the Cardas Series 2 Burn-in LP for about 15 minutes then use the "Articulator" on the E-250 which thoroughly demagnetizes the coils of my MC cartridge.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
This tic and pop issue is a big frickin' deal.  I had no idea how clean my vinyl really was until upgrading the phono amplifier.  For some, this is probably old news that the phono stage can so radically alter the audibility of surface noise but it is a revelation to me.  If I had known, I would have upgraded long before now.  Just finished listening to Dan Fogelberg's "Souvenirs" LP.  Wow!

I did always take care of my vinyl...I had a "Rec O Vac" as a young buck.  Glad I had the good sense to care for my LPs at the beginning of the journey.  Rediscovering my collection and loving' it!😀😀
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
@stringreen   Interesting way of expressing your experience with surface noise.  It's as if the pops and tics are detached from the fabric of the music allowing your brain to focus on the music not extraneous noises.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
 @atmasphere   Thanks for explaining so much about what is going on with the audibility or lack thereof of Pops and Ticks.  The point you made above about having a stylus that rides in a different portion of the groove is spot on.  My 70's and 80's vinyl was subject to an elliptical stylus.  My current cartridge has a micro ridge stylus which is riding deeper in the grooves.  But, your info. about the phono amp. explains why I am hearing much less surface noise than with the previous phono pre.

It is a very pleasant surprise to rediscover the musical beauty in those older LP's.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
@atmasphere   You said: " Put another way, if you really do have 'a good system', you will hear less ticks and pops- it will minimize them, without other coloration, such as a loss of highs."

The loss of highs issue was a real concern for me when the Luxman E-250 entered the system.  Initially the sound was "muted" and "slow".  Honestly, it took a good 300 hours or so to open up and for the highs to come into their own.  That was a great relief as I then felt I had the whole package.  So your mentioning that the phono stage needs to be of sufficient quality to minimize surface noise but not roll off or accentuate any part of the frequency spectrum is the overall goal.
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