I was skeptical about the Sweet Vinyl Sugercube SC-1 but since I could buy it from an online dealer with a good return policy I decided to give it a try. I'll be damned but the thing does work as advertised. It gets rid of static based clicks and pops although it doesn't do much for damaged grooves. I don't notice any sound degradation although when you set the "processor" to the highest levels I do hear, with my ears at least, some compression starting to occur. Sweet Vinyl recommends the processor levels to be set at 5, at that level I notice no degradation of the analog sound quality.
Vinyl woes / cartridge upgrade
There are many threads about dealing with the usual clicks and pops. I have been reading them everywhere since starting into vinyl about a year ago (the most recent post by jay73 being somewhat typical of my experience). I am trying out some of your very helpful recommendations. Winter static very bad right now and it is obvious. Even with a humidifier running 24/7 and careful cleaning, Zerostat, etc. most albums become fatiguing after the first couple of songs. It seems like the static builds up as the record spins. :-(
It has definitely been an up/down ride so far. Once in a while (but not lately!) it just dials in and I get it. I see what everyone is talking about with the sound. Even with my modest rig - vintage Dual 1219 TT and Graham Slee Gram amp 2 - I get it. Of course album condition plays a huge part. Some good used finds and some that look good but sound bad. Returned/exchanged 4 of the 10 brand new albums purchased (don't get me started).
So while working on cleaning/static solutions I am also considering upgrades. I do like the Dual but possibly a new TT in the future. For now I would like to get a new cartridge. The current, and most likely original, is a Shure m93e. Researched many threads and found some possible replacements to be Shure m97xe or v15. These would be used I presume as Shure is out of the cartridge business. Audio technica at440mla, Ortofon Red? I think I prefer new. Anybody with 1219 experience would like to share an opinion?
I have about $300 into it so far between purchase and professional tune-up. I figure I could drop another $100 - $200 to see what a new cartridge can do for me. Not hi end, I know, but good enough for now. Not sure that I want to dive deeper with a new TT, RCM, etc.
Thanks
It has definitely been an up/down ride so far. Once in a while (but not lately!) it just dials in and I get it. I see what everyone is talking about with the sound. Even with my modest rig - vintage Dual 1219 TT and Graham Slee Gram amp 2 - I get it. Of course album condition plays a huge part. Some good used finds and some that look good but sound bad. Returned/exchanged 4 of the 10 brand new albums purchased (don't get me started).
So while working on cleaning/static solutions I am also considering upgrades. I do like the Dual but possibly a new TT in the future. For now I would like to get a new cartridge. The current, and most likely original, is a Shure m93e. Researched many threads and found some possible replacements to be Shure m97xe or v15. These would be used I presume as Shure is out of the cartridge business. Audio technica at440mla, Ortofon Red? I think I prefer new. Anybody with 1219 experience would like to share an opinion?
I have about $300 into it so far between purchase and professional tune-up. I figure I could drop another $100 - $200 to see what a new cartridge can do for me. Not hi end, I know, but good enough for now. Not sure that I want to dive deeper with a new TT, RCM, etc.
Thanks