If you’re new to the world of vinyl records, it may surprise you to learn that you can’t simply plug your turntable into most sound systems, just as you might do with any other piece of audio equipment. (Or at least not without a phono preamp). The good news is, you might already own one… In this article, you will … Read More
How to Position Your Turntable
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
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
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
How to Fit a Cartridge on a Headshell
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
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
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
Do You Need a Mono Cartridge to Play Mono Records?
Up until the late 1950s, commercial music was mixed in mono. Even then, it took some time for stereo to take off, and it wasn’t until the late 1960s that stereo went mainstream. In the early days of stereo, many engineers took the opportunity to experiment and play with the format. It’s not uncommon for the stereo version of a … Read More
What Does Direct-to-Disc Vinyl Mean?
When collecting vinyl records, you might come across the following terms associated with a special release: live to vinyl, direct-to-disc, or direct-to-acetate. All of these terms refer to the same process, which as they suggest, is the practice of recording directly to a vinyl-disc cutting lathe without first recording to magnet tape or digital storage. Before the advent of magnetic … Read More
Do Record Weights and Clamps Make a Difference?
Like many Hi-Fi optimization topics, record weights and clamps intended for record stabilization divide opinion. In the pro-stabilization camp, many feel that a record weight or clamp can bring stability during playback, while also helping to tighten and focus the overall sound. Over in the anti-stabilization camp, there is a feeling that record stabilizers can put unnecessary strain on turntable … Read More
