Some thoughts after having a few more sessions to listen to the new snap-crackle-pop deletion device. I think my original impressions (in this thread: https://forums.phxaudiotape.com/threads/what-are-you-listening-to.8/page-1137#post-346320) are still valid though maybe not quite as much. Listened to both Pink Floyd albums, which are pretty much pristine (DSOTM a little less so), a copy of Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume II I've had since the days of my AR turntable, and my copy of L.A. Getaway, which came from a Soul/R&B AM station in Greenville, SC, in my 1974 Furman days. With the exception of one needle-dropped scratch that came with the L.A. Getaway disc, the years have been kind to these discs but they have been played.
The NRS Box does make a difference and without much impact on the signal. I've pretty much kept the de-crackle knob set aggressively at 3 o'clock (max is at 4:30 or so) and the VNRS (anti-noise) filter on. A/B comparisons just highlight the amount of noise reduction that is going on. The highs remain seemingly untouched but then my ears are pushing 70, so there's that. I tried that ugly Kris Kristofferson album and while it helped, let's just say I paid too much for that condition. I'll move it along. The NRS Box helped some, but it's just not for badly worn or damaged records. For decent to good records, though, it does make listening more enjoyable. I'm one of those who sought out the quietest records before digital came along - and who went digital without looking back because of the complete lack of background noise. I still rate its capabilties at 75% of the Sugar Cube, based on my comparison of Nando's Sugar Cube-cleaned files from my copy of the Bangla Desh concert album to listening to them through the NRS Box.
Still, it represents really cool technology and is a great value at $400; I doubt I'll ever want the other $2100 worth of capability that's in the Sugar Cube. Still highly recommended after three weeks or so. They both make a difference, the Sugar Cube a bit more so.
The NRS Box does make a difference and without much impact on the signal. I've pretty much kept the de-crackle knob set aggressively at 3 o'clock (max is at 4:30 or so) and the VNRS (anti-noise) filter on. A/B comparisons just highlight the amount of noise reduction that is going on. The highs remain seemingly untouched but then my ears are pushing 70, so there's that. I tried that ugly Kris Kristofferson album and while it helped, let's just say I paid too much for that condition. I'll move it along. The NRS Box helped some, but it's just not for badly worn or damaged records. For decent to good records, though, it does make listening more enjoyable. I'm one of those who sought out the quietest records before digital came along - and who went digital without looking back because of the complete lack of background noise. I still rate its capabilties at 75% of the Sugar Cube, based on my comparison of Nando's Sugar Cube-cleaned files from my copy of the Bangla Desh concert album to listening to them through the NRS Box.
Still, it represents really cool technology and is a great value at $400; I doubt I'll ever want the other $2100 worth of capability that's in the Sugar Cube. Still highly recommended after three weeks or so. They both make a difference, the Sugar Cube a bit more so.
Sugar Cubes don't deliver anything close to clean CD sound.