So asked a letter writer in the latest Absolute Sound.

Editor Robert Harley's answer

Seeing what some studio consoles have in them (tens of opamps including, but not limited to, NE5532, NE5534, TL072 and tens of electrolytic caps in the signal path, not to mention multiple switch contacts, balanced to SE and back again converters, transformers, compressors, limiters, ADCs, digital processing and DACs in some, electronic faders that add harmonic distortion, long cable runs), it’s a wonder past recordings can muster up enough musicality to be able to still be enjoyable.
But these are all electronic distortions that the ear can mostly get around, apart from frequency response flatness. Resonances from mechanical playback in a turntable system appear to be more significant, and the better turntables aim to keep them under tight control.

AMR-iFi R&D

You got that backwards...

It's a wonder with all you mentioned and talent free artists, producers, engineers etc. that any modern music can be enjoyable.

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Proper cleaning will help a lot in this regard.

However if you still have pops clicks and other audible artefacts after cleaning then a liberal application of PVA glue and subsequent careful removal will work wonders.If you still have those pops and clicks, live with it or turn the record into an ashtray.

I do like using PVA glue, works a treat.

Haven't you got a Degritter ?

He's a glutton for punishment, and enjoys inflicting hours of waiting for glue to dry.

I do have a degritter! Works really well. However even it is sometimes defeated by my habit of picking up cheap, dirty, crappy records!