The overload margin of the phono stage is a critical aspect of the noise issue. The noise sources have a very fast rise time, and even though the RIAA curve turns them down, the feedback loop of the phono stage can get quite upset. Also, a cartridge with a rather high tip mass can crash around when it hits a boulder in the groove making more noise than it should. Finally, the Decca guys used to point out that a cartridge with a 3gm tracking weight and a low tip mass will be a lot kinder to the grooves than a high-compliance unit with a high tip mass.
The overload margin was one of the features of the original Naim amplifiers and went a long way in making them more satisfactory than their competitors.
The overload margin was one of the features of the original Naim amplifiers and went a long way in making them more satisfactory than their competitors.