Phono stage can minimize tics and pops on vinyl


Recently @atmasphere  made an interesting statement twice on a thread about CD vs. LPs where he posited that one phono stage can minimize the sound of pops and tics over others.  

I recently upgraded from my 25 year old Aragon 47k phono stage to a Luxman E-250.  After sufficient break-in time, which was considerable, as I pulled out my old, though well kept vinyl, it became very clear that I was experiencing this effect with the Luxman.  The pops and tics were still there, but they were much lower in volume relative to the music and thus made all of my vinyl quieter in the sense of surface noise.

Interestingly, the treble was clear and open.  Well recorded jazz cymbals had that burnished brass sound with a natural airy decay.  You can readily tell the wood tipped sticks from the plastic ones!  Good hall sound and open, expansive soundspace!

So...have any of you ever experienced this kind of change, and if so, what might you attribute it to?

Thanks!
128x128hifiman5
@terry9 You are correct. If you want the best sound, you need the best parts. But design is what minimizes ticks and pops; I am saying there is a distinction.
@atmasphere Somewhat ironic that you say cost isn’t a factor while using your amps as examples to support that point. :-)
Our UV-1 does not have problems with ticks or pops and its not particularly pricey.

Our MP-3 and MP-1 are not that expensive as high end preamps go- cheaper than ARC, cj and many others. Are others charging more for ticks and pops? 

As Foghorn Leghorn once said 'Ah say there that's a joke, son' :)

Its all a matter of if the designer took all the variables into account- adding stopping resistors to a circuit isn't expensive; making sure its resistant to RFI after that isn't either. After that the big deal is overload margin and as long as you aren't too precious about power supply voltages that can be solved easily too.

This tic and pop issue is a big frickin' deal.  I had no idea how clean my vinyl really was until upgrading the phono amplifier.  For some, this is probably old news that the phono stage can so radically alter the audibility of surface noise but it is a revelation to me.  If I had known, I would have upgraded long before now.  Just finished listening to Dan Fogelberg's "Souvenirs" LP.  Wow!

I did always take care of my vinyl...I had a "Rec O Vac" as a young buck.  Glad I had the good sense to care for my LPs at the beginning of the journey.  Rediscovering my collection and loving' it!😀😀