Mine's been pretty loud since new. Has one that's really ticking and has been that way since day one.
I figure to go cam/lifters/rockers and EQ heads down the road so I don't worry about it.
This is why I use an accusump. My car (and I suspect many others) can and often does sit for long periods. With the accusump, 80 lbs. of oil pressure dumps into the motor and pre-oils it quite nicely before start up.