An update on the click and pop noise reducers...

After seeing BillP's post following mine, I went onto ebay and picked up an SAE model 5000A "Impulse Noise Reduction System" for $61.05. It arrived a couple of days ago and I installed it yesterday.

I picked out a couple of albums that I knew had very noticeable clicks and pops and it "cleaned" them up completely - without noticeable effect on the music.

It has an "invert" button that you use to calibrate the gain setting. With the invert engaged you start at zero gain (no sound at all) and turn it up slowly. You start to hear some clicks and pops at about 25% gain and by the time you get near max gain you hear lots - plus some chopped music. Back the setting down more than a bit from there (I settled in at 50%), switch off the invert function, and all you hear is the music, less the clicks and pops. Works like a charm.

I tracked down a review in the June 1977 issue of Audio. It was helpful in understanding the operation of the unit (since mine came with no manual) and the fact that it should be presented with a reasonably high input level in order to achieve its outstanding signal-to-noise ratio of 96dB. (Remember, this was 1977!) Because of the way I've plugged my phono set-up into my Model 950 (turntable / Stanton 681EEE...NAD1130 pre-amp...dynamic range enhancer...SAE 5000A...Outlaw 950) I have lots of opportunity to boost the input to the SAE.

To conclude. It works like a charm, removes virtually all noticeable clicks and pops, and when set up properly does nothing to negatively impact on the sound.

A must have for anyone wanting to play vinyl that's in less than perfect condition.

Jeff Mackwood