What’s better: a short tonearm or a longer one?
Other things being equal, a longer tonearm is always better, with one exception: linear tracking arms. The reason you want […]
Turntables & Vinyl
Frequently asked questions about turntables and vinyl, belt-drive vs direct-drive, cartridges, headshells, alignment and more.
Are remastered records better than originals?
A great question. Some remasters are better, but often, original pressings are where the gold lies! The answer varies according
What’s better: a good moving magnet cartridge or a cheap moving coil?
I don’t like either very much, but I generally recommend a good moving magnet cartridge over a cheap moving coil.
What’s better: a good moving magnet cartridge or a cheap moving coil? Read More »
What’s the best moving coil phono preamplifier?
Either a good step-up transformer or a really good active gain stage. There is no one best phono preamplifier, but
I’m having trouble aligning my cartridge, why does each tool seem to give a different result?
This is a really good question, variations of which I hear a lot. The summary: cartridge alignment tools are typically
Can you sell me a belt for my turntable?
Yes, we can supply and fit a belt if your turntable visits Liquid Audio for a service, for example. Liquid
What are your thoughts on buying equipment in poor condition?
I suggest avoiding equipment in poor condition, as a general rule. My recommendation is always to buy the very best
What are your thoughts on buying equipment in poor condition? Read More »
Should I clean my turntable with a cloth..?
No, not without taking a few precautions! If you quite enjoy your current cartridge, let me give you a little
Should I buy a cheap turntable belt on eBay?
If you are going to get a belt, a critically important part of how your turntable runs, at least get
Do headshells, wires and mounting hardware make a difference?
Hell, yeah! Everything in the signal path and attached to a cartridge makes a difference. Materials and construction improve as
Do headshells, wires and mounting hardware make a difference? Read More »
How important is cartridge-tonearm matching?
Cartridge-tonearm matching is very important! In fact, the match is so critical that improperly matched elements can lead to a
Why so many new belt drive turntables?
Oh, that’s simple: belt drive turntables are cheap to make. Even small manufacturers can tool up to make basic new