Speaker Placement Best Practice for Optimal Sound Quality

Marc HenshallNew to Vinyl, Tech Talk2 Comments

For the best possible sound quality, the location of your audio equipment matters. Even the most affordable set of speakers will benefit from proper speaker placement. You’d be surprised just how much you can improve the performance of the most humble setup by getting your speakers positioned just right.  So before you reach for your wallet and consider upgrading your … Read More

How to Position Your Turntable

Marc HenshallNew to Vinyl, Vinyl 101Leave a Comment

When setting up a HiFi system, every detail counts. Where you place your turntable in relation to the rest of your audio system is particularly important, as we’re dealing with a physical playback mechanism. Everything that comes into contact with your turntable or causes resonance will affect how the record tracks, and in turn, how your records sound. Today, we’ll … Read More

How to Replace a Turntable Cartridge

Marc HenshallNew to Vinyl, Tech Talk, Vinyl 1012 Comments

There are several reasons you might want to replace your phono cartridge. You could be upgrading the stock model shipped with your turntable, or you might be looking to replace an older model on a used deck. Either way, it’s important you take care to install your new cartridge with care and attention to detail. As we always say at … Read More

Conical Vs Elliptical Stylus For Your Turntable

Marc HenshallNew to Vinyl, Tech Talk, Vinyl 1012 Comments

When selecting a cartridge for your turntable, you will undoubtedly come across some new terminology if you’re new to the world of vinyl records. The Hi-Fi world is full of technical jargon, and vinyl is certainly no exception.  The bottom line here is there are many different stylus shapes. The stylus (sometimes referred to as the needle) is the little … Read More

Best Headphones for Vinyl Records

Marc HenshallNew to Vinyl, Reviews, Uncategorized9 Comments

For most of us, speakers are the most common choice for vinyl playback. Speakers allow you to fill the room, generate an atmosphere and share the musical experience with friends and family. There are times, though, where a set of great headphones and a more private listening experience is advantageous, or perhaps (if you live with housemates or close-contact neighbors), … Read More

Best Budget Phono Cartridges for Great Sound Quality

Marc HenshallNew to Vinyl, Reviews4 Comments

Your phono cartridge is arguably the most important piece of kit in your entire setup. Why? Because the cartridge and its stylus are responsible for tracking the groove. The accuracy and detail captured at this point are critical, as no amount of upgrading your pre-amp, amplifier, or speakers will make up for poor quality at the sound source. Replacing or … Read More

How to Fit a Cartridge on a Headshell

Marc HenshallNew to Vinyl, Tech Talk, Vinyl 1012 Comments

There are many reasons why you might want to replace the cartridge on your turntable tonearm. You could be looking to upgrade the performance and sound quality, or you might be looking to play older mono records or even vintage 78s. In some cases, you might purchase a turntable used and simply need to fit a new cartridge of your … Read More

How to Clean Your Turntable Stylus – Without Causing Damage

Marc HenshallCleaning Vinyl, New to Vinyl, Record Care, Vinyl 1015 Comments

Your record player or turntables’ needle (better know as the stylus) is the first point in the audio signal chain. It is the instrument responsible for directly tracking your record and beginning the process of transforming an otherwise useless groove into sweet, sweet music. For it to perform at its best, you need to keep it clean. If you allow … Read More

Automatic vs Manual Turntables

Marc HenshallNew to Vinyl, Vinyl 1017 Comments

When choosing a new turntable, there are many factors to consider. In most cases, your final decision will come down to a balance between price, features, quality, and personal preference. One aspect that is often misunderstood is the choice between automatic and manual turntable designs. After all, if you can remove effort and work by purchasing an automatic deck, why … Read More

What’s the best turntable for beginners?

Marc HenshallNew to Vinyl16 Comments

Due to the continued growth in vinyl record sales, the demand for entry-level turntables and records players is greater than ever. Increasing numbers of consumers are rediscovering physical music formats, with vinyl now outselling CD for the first time since 1986. Naturally, as demand grows, more manufacturers are offering entry-level turntables designing to appeal to new collectors. So which turntable … Read More