There is no such thing as enough when it comes to turntable vanity. Vinyl enthusiasts have proven this through their non-stop tinkering with record player parts. But this should be seen as a productive thing as we now have a list of upgrade suggestions for gear owners.
However, some of these upgrades come with costs. Hardcore fans of record players already knew that this hobby could break the bank from the very beginning. Still, we'll make this a thrift article for turntable masters who want to stick to their budget.
Without further ado, here are a few decent upgrades to your dull turntable.
Audiophile Phones Instead Of Speakers
Many turntables come with a built-in speaker. However, a good amplifier and speaker set can improve its sound exponentially. If you want the best experience, you'll have to invest and go high-end with Bose, Bower & Wilkins, Focal, Klipsch, and other expensive ranges out there.
But if you don't have $5,000 to burn for your record player setup, consider getting an excellent audiophile headphone at around $1,000. The music experience may differ, but the sound quality is the same. Consider this low-cost upgrade if you can't afford high-end speakers with stratospheric price tags.
Get An Adjustable Isolation Base
Leveling the turntable and isolating it with a decent base prevents speaker vibrations from messing with your record player. Doing this improves the dynamics and will help the device track better. It is a one-shot attempt to kill off several phonograph issues such as fluttering, skipping, channel imbalance, etc.
Fortunately, you can get a decent isolation base for less than $100. You may also opt for shockproof stand feet, though an elevated platform would be safer. If the budget would allow, consider getting isolation bases for your subwoofers as well.
Upgrade To An Acrylic Platter
A steel platter that usually comes with the turntable package is good. However, an acrylic platter is a more sophisticated material giving you an instant boost in sound quality and a more table rotating speed.
Usually, you would hear about suggestions to upgrade the turntable mat. But if you get an acrylic platter, there is no need for a mat of any type. With the acrylic option, you'll have no problems with static electricity and dust that always get stuck with mats.
An acrylic platter costs over a hundred dollars, but with the immense quality gain and letting you skip the mat, it is definitely a practical move. Moreover, acrylic platters are easy to install, so you'll only have to think about getting one or not.
Upgrade The Stylus
Most of the magic happens in the stylus, the needle tip that kisses the vinyl record. They get worn over time, but you can easily replace them with a spare. A high-quality stylus like Jico has a refined needle tip shape that helps track grooves more precisely.
It is more convenient for non-techies to upgrade the needle than to modify the entire cartridge. Phono cartridges have tiny wire connectors, and it's easy to mess up if it's your first time.
