SugarCube SC-1 vinyl noise remover hits the UK

For some vinyl enthusiasts, the surface noise of vinyl records is as endearing as the actions of pulling a disc from its sleeve or lowering a turntable’s tonearm lever.

But of course one can have too much of a good thing, and the sound of a worn record can fall into that category.

And if a good ol’ clean can’t help, maybe the SugarCube SC-1 can.

Designed for people with older or second-hand record collections, the all-in-one noise removal device uses proprietary ‘click & pop’ removal technology by Silicon Valley-based start-up SweetVinyl to eliminate vinyl noise in real-time.

The technology supposedly uses an algorithm to detect, isolate and remove unwanted noise while keeping the music signal unharmed. All owners have to do is hook the SC-1 up to a phono stage, press a button to initiate the clean-up process, and turn a dial to adjust the strength of the process.

We know what you’re thinking: it may have to be heard to be believed…

When the supplied USB key is plugged into the SC-1, the process can be initiated and controlled via SweetVinyl's SugarCube app for iOS and Android devices.

We first saw the SC-1 on Indiegogo back in 2016 and, while a small number were demonstrated in the UK last year, it is finally available to buy in the UK - in black or silver finishes.

The damage, as it were? £1550. We bet the clicks and pops seem even more endearing now.

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Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of Australian Hi-Fi magazine. During her 10 years in the hi-fi industry, she has been fortunate enough to travel the world to report on the biggest and most exciting brands in hi-fi and consumer tech (and has had the jetlag and hangovers to remember them by). In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.