enframed
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Record changing static
Jan Vigne
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It would depend on how sensitive your tweeters are to such noises and obviously how loud the noises are.

I would suggest you try another approach to your record maintenance. Vacuum cleaners do a good job of removing pops and noises and after cleaning placing the disc in a sleeve made from something other than paper will minimize static problems. If you're using a vacuum cleaner and still having clicks and pops, you probably need to review your cleaning procedure. Most people use too little fluid and never really get their discs clean enough. Too much fluid is a problem with a dry brush cleaning system but seldom will it be an issue with a good vacuum system.

Brushes IMO tend to only make matters worse in most cases. They fail to remove static charges and only increase the charge all too often as they move dust and debri from disc to disc. Switch to a very well wrung out/slightly dampened microfiber towel turning it around and inside out after each disc and see if that doesn't help the noise problem.

The platter mat also can be responsible for static charges. If you're using a felt mat, switch to something like the Ringmat or just a simple cork mat. As a DIY experiment, head down to the hardware store and buy a package of adhesive cork dots the thickness of your current mat and place these on your platter instead of the regular mat. No need to cover the entire platter, about a dozen dots will do placed in concentric circles around the platter leaving a slight opening for the record label to sit in.

If all of that fails to resolve the problem, you can try raising the humidity in the room or place an anti-static mat in front of your table.

j_j
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Quote:
It would depend on how sensitive your tweeters are to such noises and obviously how loud the noises are.

I would suggest you try another approach to your record maintenance. Vacuum cleaners do a good job of removing pops and noises and after cleaning placing the disc in a sleeve made from something other than paper will minimize static problems. If you're using a vacuum cleaner and still having clicks and pops, you probably need to review your cleaning procedure. Most people use too little fluid and never really get their discs clean enough. Too much fluid is a problem with a dry brush cleaning system but seldom will it be an issue with a good vacuum system.

Brushes IMO tend to only make matters worse in most cases. They fail to remove static charges and only increase the charge all too often as they move dust and debri from disc to disc. Switch to a very well wrung out/slightly dampened microfiber towel turning it around and inside out after each disc and see if that doesn't help the noise problem.

The platter mat also can be responsible for static charges. If you're using a felt mat, switch to something like the Ringmat or just a simple cork mat. As a DIY experiment, head down to the hardware store and buy a package of adhesive cork dots the thickness of your current mat and place these on your platter instead of the regular mat. No need to cover the entire platter, about a dozen dots will do placed in concentric circles around the platter leaving a slight opening for the record label to sit in.

If all of that fails to resolve the problem, you can try raising the humidity in the room or place an anti-static mat in front of your table.

If you're in a dry climate, you might want to get an antistatic mat under the table, and ground it. That way you can remember to brush the mat before you touch the table, and should avoid nasty noises. Also check the table's ground to the preamp.

enframed
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thanks for the responses.

it's a stock vpi scout/jmw9 arm (which grounds to the table under the plinth, no?) and it runs into a ps audio gpch. this set-up is quiet as all getout, hardly any inherent noise in the system. should i be running a ground from the plinth to the gcph? some other way to ground this turntable?

i do clean my records, i'm not talking about surface noise, i'm talking about electricity/static.

sleeves, yes, i'm going through an transfering my records to plastic lined paper sleeves.

Jan Vigne
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To my knowledge VPI has provided no grounding tab on the Scout and attaching a ground wire to the MDF plinth isn't likely to do much. The platter rides on a Delrin plate so there's not much to work with there either. VPI has introduced a new platter but that would seem to be an extreme solution just to solve a static issue.

Since the platter is acrylic there's no need for any other mat. Try the microfiber towel instead of the brush and go from there.

enframed
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weird. there is a wire that runs from where the rca jacks are to a screw under the plinth. i thought it was a ground wire.

anyway, thanks for the advice on the towel. i'll give that a shot, and i'll try to remember to lower the signal before touching the turntable after playing a record.

incidentally, i've noticed that some records are far worse than others regarding how much static they have. must be varying vinyl formulas.

dcstep
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That wire is grounding the motor, not the platter.

I use a Zerostat gun in very dry Colorado to get rid of the charge prior to play. Most brushes will add static rather than reduce it. I use a carbon fiber brush to remove any big chunks, then a micro fiber cloth to get in the grooves and apply the Zerostat discharge as I finish the cloth wipe. It works like a charm.

Dave

enframed
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the wire runs from the box that has the rca jacks to the plinth. how does that have any effect on the motor, which only indirectly "touches" the table (platter) by being connected to the same belt?

edit: i live next to the ocean so moisture isn't a problem.

j_j
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Quote:
That wire is grounding the motor, not the platter.

I use a Zerostat gun in very dry Colorado to get rid of the charge prior to play. Most brushes will add static rather than reduce it. I use a carbon fiber brush to remove any big chunks, then a micro fiber cloth to get in the grooves and apply the Zerostat discharge as I finish the cloth wipe. It works like a charm.

Dave

That's proven useful in the dry winters in NJ, as well. A humidifier is also not necessarily a bad thing, but there are many issues to be considered, and NOT one of the 'cool mist' variety that has a tendency to put small mineral particles in the air. Yeah, you got it where those will wind up...

Out here in sunny seattle, it hasn't been a problem

dcstep
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I mispoke, it's grounding the cartridge, not the motor or platter.

You have a static problem no matter where you live. Zerostat is one possible answer. It really works.

Dave

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