O.K. where does one begin?
All-rite, I'll give some personal history to instill trust of experience. I will need to with-hold some equipment listing to be quick here.
In 1967 a Shure M3D, 1972 Shure M55, 1973, Shure M91ED, 1974, I had the Shure V15 Type III, then a Stanton 681EEE. Had the last two for a number of years and both were treated with replacement styli when needed.
By 2005, a AT-440MLA, 2006, a AT-150MLX, 2007 Denon DL-160(bad move there).
Each of these cartridges reported similar amounts of 'pops & ticks' but, nothing out of the ordinary. In particular, I found the AT-440MLa rather nice, somewhat exciting and quieter that the afore mentioned.
In 2008 I go crazy after the obvious answer and that is how clean or dirty were my disks, because it's gotta be that fact as to the real source of all the less than complete pleasure vinyl affords one.
I purchase a VPI 16.5 in 2009 and the world changed forever. I started buying good condition used disks like it was needed oxygen.
In 2013 I buy a Denon DL-301II cartridge with a Denon AU-320 SUT and the world's pleasures were certain and destined to get better but, these two pieces opened the door for me. Mind you, these were not high as the sky costs here I'm talking about.
I've always taken care of my new records ever since I learned how to use them as a kid, because that's what I was shown by my family members.
I bought my first vinyl disk in 1961, "The Ventures" album with new hit single "Walk Don't Run" and still have it. Everyone in this country knew the song.
From 1961 to 2009, I only owned about 300 disks. In that year I found a few used record stores. Did I want to put some one else's dirty, coughed on, nose picking, ass scratching, sneezed on, finger prints
and other nasty debris on my platter?
Hell no! So, that's when the VPI RCM comes in. Anything less is just that, less. On a tight budget, save up for a used one then, and the fluids also. Or, 'cleaner-vinyl' ultra-sonic was my final choice for around the same cost.
Since then I'm up to, ...wait-for-it.............almost 7000 vinyl disks.
Let's back on-track as to why I went so hog-wild and bought so many disks.
The AT-440MLa that lead me to the DL-301III, that led me to an Benz-Micro ACE SL, led me to a Cadenza Blue, then things and all of the world changed forever! I had to move on!
In early 2015 because I knew that I could make dirty disks sound better and I wouldn't have to worry about stylus damage in that respect was when I elevated my whole listening experience.
The quietest phono cartridge I ever used, played or heard was the Lyra Delos. Hands down, all across the table! All day long, 24/7/365!
It led me to the Lyra Kleos and a AT-ART-9.
The Delos is as quiet as a church mouse and has all of the exuberance of a young energetic female modern dancer with a great ass and legs. And she's doing this bend-over move right in front of you.
It is convincingly gorgeous in its sound quality. Best I ever heard!
Next, I had to get a ultra-sonic cleaning set-up to complete the picture. It pretty much does cancel-out the brush and vacuum method. Neither of the machines are
miracle workers when it comes to an abused disk mind you but, generally and every other way speak-able, it's the only way to go.
To re-cap: decent to excellent condition disks, ultra-sonic cleaning regiment, new inner sleeves, good personal hygiene and disk handling habits, and good luck and you're in.
Good-nite.
FM