You really don’t need us to tell you that there’s something quite magical about vinyl. However far technology comes, however much digital audio, streaming and even wireless technology comes in terms of sound quality and overall feel. Despite these advances, vinyl is more popular now than it was even 20 years ago, having gone through something of a cultural revival. These days if you can buy it on CD, you can buy it on vinyl. With this continuously increasing interest from both established music lovers and new buyers who have grown up with digital downloads – many of whom have never even touched a CD. So, why is vinyl suddenly the preferred physical format?
Who better to ask, than the people themselves? We asked you and – turns out – it’s purely physical. Having something physical to ‘own’, rather than just a file name with attached artwork is the lure over digital downloads. As for its merits over CDs: it’s the experience of playing a record. The earthy, natural sound and the large cover art alongside the gatefold sleeves and other neat touches. The whole experience is far more visceral than digital downloads, and if you consider the ritual of putting a record ‘on’, you could argue the same of CDs too!
Don’t get us wrong – we love digital. The convenience outweighs many of its inherent flaws – and we are aware that digital sales surpassed physical sales a long time ago. That trend is likely to continue, and vinyl will never quite be back on top of the source pile as it was in its heyday. Although, like many of the finer experiences in life, they form the niche parts of an interest – which are ultimately the most enjoyable. The best whiskeys cannot be bought along with the more popular varieties in your average supermarket and great independent restaurants are in the minority in any major cities dominated – in numbers – by chain restaurants.
That’s not to say ‘the best’ has to cost the most – at least, not when it comes to turntables! Our range starts from just under £100! We feel that now is the time to enter the world of vinyl. Be you a returning aficionado, or a newcomer. All you have to be is a keen music lover with an interest in the finer things in life, and what you need is a focused specialist dealer in real hi-fi to help you steer through the vast spectrum of options to you to the best vinyl music system for your budget, room and musical taste.
And it doesn’t stop with the simple purchase of a turntable either Once you’ve settled on a turntable, there are many things you can do to improve its sound quality. This is one of most enjoyable aspects of both hi-fi and vinyl ownership; you can make dramatic improvements to sound quality with different ‘tweaks, i.e upgrades! Turntables are highly customisable and, once you have a foundation laid, there are a myriad of things you can do to make it unique – and right – for you. We’ve compiled a list of our ten favourite upgrades for your consideration, all of which we are on hand to advise you about. We are about as enthusiastic about vinyl as you can get. We even sell a selection of LPs!
QUICK GLOSSARY
If you’re reading this, chances are you already know a fair bit about turntables. For those who don’t here are a few keywords.
- Turntable – the vinyl record player
- Tonearm – the long arm that sweeps across the record holding the phono cartridge and stylus
- Phono Cartridge – the rectangular pick-up at the end of the tonearm connecting to the wires in the tonearm and holding the stylus that plays the record
- Stylus – this is part of the phono cartridge – fixed in MC cartridges but can be changed when worn in MM cartridges – and is traditionally referred to as the “needle” – this is what sits in the record groove and reads it
Remember, all prices were correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.
1. Pro-Ject Phono Box E – £39
A good phono stage is essential for an effective turntable set up. The Phono Box E is an ideal andf highly affordable phono preamplifier for hifi-systems that do not feature a dedicated phono cartridge input. This unit reduces distortion and noise and external interference is prevented via the outboard DC power supply and the built-in internal shielding.
Why do we like it?
It may be cheap – but it’s very effective. It delivers an audiophile music experience – at an entry level price – and it accepts MM cartridges too. This is the best budget phonostage by a mile, but if you want to go a bit higher, we have plenty of options available.
Why do they like it?
‘A perfectly respectable phono stage at the price, the addition of a capable ADC with simple USB connectivity makes this a real bargain; good sounding, easy to use and smart too! Just remember to stick with moving magnet cartridges’ (TechRadar)
2. Ortofon 2M Red MM Cartridge – £85
A slightly obvious, but no less important, jump is to the cartridge. A good phono cartridge is essential for a good vinyl sound, and this is the best budget cartridge we have ever heard. This incredible sound is owed to the elliptical diamond tipped stylus – which is completely replaceable in the future. It’s the stylus that always wears out first – so having the option to replace that, rather than shell out for a whole new cartridge, certainly has its upsides.
Why do we like it?
It sounds phenomenally good – and not only is the stylus replaceable, it’s very easy to replace. There is more that can affect the sound of vinyl than with other sources, so a good pickup pays huge dividends in the enjoyment of your records. You can improve upon most of the cartridges that come pre fitted to turntables and this is a good solid “budget” choice from Pro-Ject. And there are plenty more to chose from.
3. Michell Engineering Record Clamp for Rega Turntables – £29
. It night not look (or sound) like much, but this unassuming clamp could really add to the quality of your listening experience. A flat surface is essential for good vinyl playback. The slightest warping or bending on the record – even that which is beyond the ability for the human eye to measure – will have an affect on the sound. This clamp will straighten your LPs out. And with the Rega RP3/Elys2 turntable winning the What Hi-Fi Awards 2014 ‘Turntable of the Year’ award, what better upgrade for this (or any other compatible Rega turntable) than this very popular record clamp from Michell Engineering?
Why do we like it?
It keeps the record straight. All of the records, in fact. Very useful and very effective. It’s designed for Rega turntables – but will fit any turntable with a similar sized spindle. For other turntables, we can recommend the Pro-Ject Record Puck Turntable Clamp or the Thorens Stabilizer Record Weight.
4. Pro-Ject Cork IT Turntable Mat – £19.90
Even the simplest things can make the biggest of differences. Most turntables will come supplied with a felt mat, but a cork mat has been well documented to provide a better sound quality, due to the fact it keeps the record from slipping during playback. A small change, but a big difference, and a very good way of really improving the sound quality without spending very much at all.
Why do we like it?
It’s an unassuming detail that can make a huge change. For a bigger change yet, there is also a leather mat or, if you really want to push the boat out, a custom design mat available in aluminium and steel.
5. The QUP Automatic Tonearm Lifter – £49.99
A very nifty piece of kit which safely, and precisely, lifts the tonearm of the turntable at the end of a record. This is a useful device suitable for any turntable, and a very sensible investment. Raising the tone arm prevents both the grove of the record and the stylus from prematurely wearing out which, I think we can all agree, is pretty important.
Why do we like it?
It’s a very important function… and it looks pretty cool when it does it. You can have the both of best worlds and this little gadget proves that! essential for even the most watchful of listeners – the simple act of falling asleep – or leaving the room – can have pretty disastrous consequences… unless you have a tone arm lifter, of course.
6. Pro-Ject Acrylic IT Platter Turntable Upgrade – £89.95
Once again, small changes equal big differences in the real hi-fi realm. Specifically designed to fit any Debut or Expression turntable from Pro-Ject. This is a very popular upgrade which replaces the standard black platter.
Why do we like it?
Not only does it look better, but it makes a surprisingly big difference in sound quality too. Another way of making a difference in sound quality without spending a small fortune.
7. Apollo WT1 SE Turntable Wall Shelf – £115
The benefits of a wall shelf are most noticeable if you have wooden floors. Remember, vinyl is the source that is most likely to be affected by external forces, a phono cartridge – extremely sensitive by nature – can easily pick up the sound of people talking and walking near by, which will of course, affect the quality of the sound. This is particularly apparent on wooden floor, when vibrations travel more easily. A wall shelf such as this offers rigidity and stability, all the while assuring that all of the problems associated with the hi-fi rack – the bump, thumps and vibrations distorting the sound – will be eliminated, as the turntable is completely isolated on the wall.
Why do we like it?
It’s an inexpensive purchase that can make a world of difference, and it comes in a wide variety of finishes, so there will be something to match the decor. There are other options available too, including this one or perhaps one of the beautiful acrylic models from Audio Suspension.
8. Pro-Ject Speed Box S – £99
Another less-obvious but sensible investment is the Speed Box S. Good pitch (ie. speed) is essential for good vinyl replay. Ideally your turntable must be running at exactly 33 and a 1/3rpm or 45rpm – depending on the record. Most turntable motors run off the frequency of the mains, which means your mains supply can affect speed. If your turntable runs slightly too fast or slightly too slow, it can have a significant impact on the enjoyment of your vinyl. A speed controller like the Speed Box S is the solution: it goes between the mains supply and the turntable, regulate the pitch to assure your turntable spins accurately.
Why do we like it?
This model is a good choice for many Pro-Ject turnables, and will change between 33 1/3rpm and 45rpm at the push of a button. Hassle-free pitch control in a compact, controlled unit.
9. Drive Belts – £Various
It might seem a bit strange to suggest a replacement drive belt as an upgrade, but you’d be surprised at just how many customers come to us with old turntables which don’t sound quite right, only to be surprised to find the drive belt has worn out. Yep, seems obvious, but it’s very easily overlooked. So consider this your reminder! A drive belt functions as the turntable’s circulatory system. If that’s worn out, the rest won’t work properly. A worn drive belt will become loose -effecting the speed. And, as you may remember from the product above – accurate speed is essential for good sound quality.
Why do we like it?
Depending on the model – replacing a drive belt is usually a cheap, quick and effective fix that can breathe new life into your time table. So remember to check those first when your turntable starts sounding less than great. Because turntables should never sound anything but!
10. Vinyl – £Various
We’ve saved the best (and arguably the most important) bit for last… the vinyl! Good quality vinyl records are essential for a good quality sound. We all love rummaging through old record stores and finding hidden gems – but nothing quite beats but for the best possible vinyl (therefore analogue) sound, nothing beats a well mastered and expertly pressed record release. Our current favourite vinyl supplier are Music on Vinyl who boast a huge range of popular releases, all of which are mastered from the best sources available. And our customers agree, the sound is really the best you can get.
Why do we like them?
Good sound starts with a good source – it is the foundation of high-fidelity. If you have lovingly crafted your hi-fi, but use a sub-standard source – you have to wonder what the point is? For the real vinyl connoisseur, we also have the last of Classic Records‘ highly regarded catalogue in stock. The finest vinyl we have ever heard, however, would be the Nimbus Supercut records from the 1980s. If you only get one – it’ll be worth it.
The world of vinyl is indeed as strange, varied and wonderful as you suspect it might be – with every factor that can affect its performance there are several different methods, devices and upgrades to counter. It may be big, however, but it’s not scary. Cherry picking a few upgrades here and there – unless there is a specific problem you need to solve – will make a huge difference to the sound – and to your enjoyment – and the chances are it will be much cheaper than investing in a new turntable. Although if a new turntable is the definitive answer we can help there too!