I have very little surface noise problems & I don't even have a cleaning machine! I do want to get one, but presently lacking any space to install one I've simply been doing without. What I do use is the good old DiscWasher handheld wet cleaner, which although not an optimum device it does do a decent job. I don't use it for every play, just occasionally, followed up with a Hunt EDA dry dust brush for every play. First I use a Zerostat antistatic gun on the LP, then the Hunt brush, then a blast of canned air to blow away any remaining dust specks. A dap of Record Research Labs LP9 on the stylus also helps to reduce surface noise as well as stylus & record wear. Last or GruvGlide on the LP makes them even quieter but I don't use it very often.
Maybe my good experiences are due to more than just these cleaning rituals. I've read that the overload charactaristic of your phono stage equates largely into this (some of them can handle signal levels OK, but they overload & accentuate surface noises if poorly designed). Other noise-factors I'm sure relate to turntable & stylus design (my setup is the VPI HW19MK4 with a Grado Signature arm & Grado Statement Reference woodbody cartridge). This rig sounds wonderful & I don't even have it fully tweaked as yet!
Maybe my good experiences are due to more than just these cleaning rituals. I've read that the overload charactaristic of your phono stage equates largely into this (some of them can handle signal levels OK, but they overload & accentuate surface noises if poorly designed). Other noise-factors I'm sure relate to turntable & stylus design (my setup is the VPI HW19MK4 with a Grado Signature arm & Grado Statement Reference woodbody cartridge). This rig sounds wonderful & I don't even have it fully tweaked as yet!