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New setup = static?

belgianbrain

belgianbrain

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Hi,

After years of being away from vinyl, it has become clear that it's likely here to stay, so I've waded back in with a brand new setup:

1. Pioneer PLX-1000
2. Audio Technica VM540ML cartridge
3. Schiit Skoll phono pre-amp

I've heard vinyl setups that were quite silent and static free, but this ain't it. I get a fair amount of staticky crackle and pops, with the exception of some brand new records that don't seem to do it much.

Any advice?
 
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belgianbrain said:
Hi,

After years of being away from vinyl, it has become clear that it's likely here to stay, so I've waded back in with a brand new setup:

1. Pioneer PLX-1000
2. Audio Technica VM540ML cartridge
3. Schiit Skoll phono pre-amp

I've heard vinyl setups that were quite silent and static free, but this ain't it. I get a fair amount of staticky crackle and pops, with the exception of some brand new records that don't seem to do it much.

Any advice?
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like you might need to give the records a bit of a cleaning. Static isn't generally a consistent thing, it's a build and discharge.
 
Yeah, I just back in to vinyl too. I have to wipe down both sides with a microfiber before play. It seems to help on my system Techniques SL-Q2 table with Kenwood KR-3600 stereo unit.
 
The clothe I use does not seem to make a static charge. It does pick out the dust and crap from the sleeve. I think there are cheap microfiber clothes and nicer ones. This was a car detail clothe. Though I don't have the package to see what it is made from.
 
Get at least a home built vacuum cleaning station and a cheap static brush from amazon.
Vacuum station:
Just need to utilize either homemade or Tergikleen for a solution (Tergi worked extremely well).
Vinyl Vac 33 (Amazon) $29
14" Bamboo Lazy Susan (Amazon) $10
Assorted wood dowels (Walmart craft section, just bought a variety so my spindle fit was exact) $3
Stanley 1hp 1.5gallon Wet/Dry vac (Walmart in stock or online) $19
Shur Line Paint edger w/pad (Walmart) $3
Spray Bottle (Walmart cleaning aisle) $3
Plastic Dish Rack (Walmart kitchen supply) $5

I took an old TT platter mat laid on lazy susan, marked a hole and used a drill bit. Choose the dowel out of the assorted pack that fit the best on record and gorilla glued it into the hole. Used platter mat as cushion. The paint edger pad seems rough, but it isn't rough enough to scratch vinyl and seemed like it'll last for a long time (they do sell replacements). If you're using the Stanley I listed you can use it straight up, if you're using anything stronger (more than 1 HP) use one of the diffusers that come with the vinyl vac (comes with 2 different ones and it tones down the suction). I spray my records (now using Tergikleen and distilled water, but started with SC solution) and spin the susan while using the paint edger, then place the vinyl vac on the record (has a spindle hole for ease of use) and turn on. That little 1 HP will suck cleaning solution from 6 inches away while you're slowly turning the susan. Record is completely dry and I then place in dish rack so label can air out (from the residual spray).
 
You guys nailed it.

I bought one of those $100 LP cleaning stations (entirely manual, which is fine considering I only have `50 records).

Music is much cleaner now with less crackle and pop.

Hell, I can barely hear the grooves on some records now.
 
belgianbrain said:
You guys nailed it.

I bought one of those $100 LP cleaning stations (entirely manual, which is fine considering I only have `50 records).

Music is much cleaner now with less crackle and pop.

Hell, I can barely hear the grooves on some records now.
Click to expand...
Nice!
 
Get one of Hudson HiFis anti-static arms and an anti-static brush, these will get rid of 95% of your static issues.

I have a Schiit Skoll phono amp too, and it really tones down any pops /clicks a dirty record makes, the pops/clicks are about half as loud with the Skoll as they are on other phono amps.


 
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