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 Forgive the cross-postings.  The question 
concerns all of us doing sound preservation from disc sources. 
Has anyone come up with a number for the acceptable 
amount of noise in an analog system, stylus tip to converter, and how to measure 
it? 
I've been using my digital meters with a peak hold 
feature.  I play the old Victor (actually Western Electric) test 
record with a 1K continuous tone and bring all levels to zero throughout the 
system to the coverter, where I set it at -2 db.  (If I don't, then 
random shellac noises will push me into the red and I get no useful 
number.)  I then remove the stylus from the groove, reset, and see what 
number comes up.  I then subtract 2 to account for my -2 setting, and 
assume that is a reading of analog system noise. 
I realize that the numbers will differ a 
bit,depending on stylus size- larger ones have greater output. 
Comments on the procedure? 
Any ideas on what would be an acceptable minimum 
amount of system noise?   
Steve Smolian 
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