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Question about background noise

’Sup?
So, I’ve been lazily progressing along on my phono pre journey, with a Simaudio Moon LP110 now in the system that comprises a VPI HW-19 MK4 with a SAMA, an aging Sumiko FT-3 arm, and a brand new (~ 55 hours or so) Hana SL cartridge. Listening to some acoustic recordings of classical guitar or some Julie London LP’s, I notice that the background is more gray than black. Like, there’s a discernible hollow sound between and during tracks (though not noticeable once the instrument/vocal dynamics ramp up).

Is this an artifact of the new cartridge, the new cartridge, the actual pressing, or something else entirely? I’m not particularly bothered by it, but I know it could be more silent.
128x128simao
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,408 posts
 
Who's response was deleted?
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,369 posts
 
Play more records and listen for the same artifact. 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,197 posts
 
There is no such thing as an entirely silent background with vinyl only variations in not so quiet. This is mostly due to the quality of the vinyl with contributions from stylus shape and frequency response. If you want black back grounds stick with digital. High Res preferred. Some vinyl will sound better in spite of the noise. Since when have you ever been to a silent concert?
lewm
12,473 posts
 
I sort of disagree; you can have a very black background during vinyl reproduction, when all the stars align properly.  This is not to say there is NO noise.  This is to say that the signal to noise ratio of the system from front to back can be such that you hear silence at the listening position.  I admit this condition is not attained with every LP, only a few of the best.
Digital is indeed very quiet, but the trouble with digital is that as the signal voltage drops, you lose resolution, so Redbook CDs lack downward dynamic range; some of the extreme low level info is lost.  (Probably this problem is ameliorated with hi-rez downloads, but I haven't dabbled in that medium.)
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,423 posts
 
I have a few original recordings from Julie London, Ketty Lester et al and you can easily hear tape hiss stopping and starting between tracks and takes. This would often be removed when remastered.
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