New Turntable Accessories and Must-Haves
A new turntable means listening to your favorite solo artists and bands in a timeless style. It also means exploring the world of turntable accessories and learning about the different ways to enhance and maintain your vinyl collection. These must-haves range from cleaning brushes to inner sleeves to phono cartridges. Each one either helps boost playback further or prolongs the lifespan of your device and music library. Below, our team of audio experts has compiled a list of turntable accessories upgrade your experience with your new device.
Essentials for Casual Listeners
A Stylus/Needle Cleaning Brush
The stylus, or needle, of a turntable is one of the most important parts, as it translates the grooves on the vinyl into the music you love. To achieve the best possible sound, the stylus needs to be free of any dust or build-up that occurs over time. That's where a stylus brush comes into play. These turntable accessories are a quick and easy way to remove excess debris from the needle before each listening session. Before placing the vinyl down, grab the brush and gently drag it across the stylus. These turntable accessories should be used every time you wish to play a record from your collection to ensure optimal playback.
A Record Cleaning Brush
Your vinyl collection is a critical part of the timeless experience that a turntable provides. Similar to the stylus, your records collect dust, which can affect the needle's ability to read the grooves correctly. A record brush gently sweeps away any lingering debris from the vinyl surface. Many of these turntable accessories are also anti-static. This means the brush doesn't introduce extra static to the record. Too much static can cause unwanted clicks, cracks or pops. A light touch is all you need when using a record brush. Simply let the tips of the bristles glide across the grooves while the vinyl spins.
Inner Sleeves to Protect Your Records
Continuing with vinyl care, inner sleeves are a definite must-have when it comes to turntable accessories. Though many records come with paper sleeves, the rough material can cause accidental scratches or extra static to form. Inner sleeves are made with two sheets of high-density polyethylene, which sandwich a paper layer in between. These sleeves help protect your collection from unnecessary wear and tear as they rest on a shelf or table.
Vibration Damping Feet for Stable Playback
Pro-Ject Damp It 4 Pack Dampening Turntable Feet - DAMPIT4PC
Extra Additions for the Audiophile
Give Your Music a Boost with a Phono Preamplifier
A phono preamplifier, also known as a phono stage, is the easiest way to enhance your music and up your vinyl game. These turntable accessories increase the signal from your device’s cartridge to your preamplifier, integrated amplifier, receiver, or powered speaker. Some models already have this feature built in; however, it's a more basic model. Investing in a higher-quality phono stage means you'll be listening to better bass and improved detail clarity.
Phono Cartridges: The Heart of Your Turntable
As far as turntable accessories go, phono cartridges are perhaps the most important ones, as they have a huge impact on the playback chain. In fact, this upgrade completely transforms the way you listen to music. The two most common types of cartridges are moving magnet and moving coil. Moving magnet models have a stylus that's easily replaced, while many moving coil ones do not. A moving coil cartridge also often needs a step-up transformer. Of course, each model is unique in its strengths and should be purchased based on your personal preferences.
Enhance Your Turntable Today
Turntable accessories not only help improve your device’s performance but also reduce the risk of excess wear and tear. Thankfully, there's a range of products to choose from, allowing you to create a setup that matches all of your personal preferences. If you have additional questions, reach out to our team of experts at 800-860-3577. Our Learn Center is another great resource for more information about caring for your new turntable.
New Turntable Accessories FAQs
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Stylus and record brushes are suggested products for keeping the player clean, while phono cartridges directly improve the overall sound quality.
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Gently hover the record cleaning brush above the vinyl so just the tips brush the top. Then, let the record slowly spin to remove excess dust and debris.
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Grab the stylus brush and gently drag it across the stylus a few times to remove any build-up or dust.
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Yes, record sleeves are a worthwhile investment since they protect your collection from unnecessary wear and tear as they rest on a shelf or table.
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A phono preamplifier boosts the signal of the phono cartridge before it’s sent to the preamplifier, integrated amplifier, receiver, or powered speaker.
