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 […]
Turntables & Vinyl
Frequently asked questions about turntables and vinyl, belt-drive vs direct-drive, cartridges, headshells, alignment and more.
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
Do you charge to install cartridges?
That depends on the circumstances. Properly installing and setting up a cartridge with the right hardware and precisely calibrating overhang,
Are second-hand cartridges worth buying?
Many of the best cartridges ever made hail from the golden era of analog, so yes, the right carts are
Are second-hand records worth buying?
You bet, there are some awesome second-hand bargains to be had! Sadly though, the golden days of $1, $2 and
Are there any decent, affordable new turntables?
Yes, though this answer depends on what one considers decent and affordable. Those looking for new high-performance machines for under
Are there any decent, affordable new turntables? Read More »
How long does a stylus last?
Anywhere from 200 to 2000 hours, depending on the cartridge design and stylus profile. I’ve written more about this in
What’s the deal with inner groove distortion?
Without getting too technical, as a cartridge mounted to a radially tracking tonearm moves across the record, playback distortion characteristics
What’s better: a vintage or new turntable?
Assuming you have around $1000 to spend, this gets you a far better vintage turntable than a new one, assuming
Why are good phono preamplifiers expensive?
Because in order to faithfully amplify the minuscule signals generated by a phono cartridge, they must have the highest precision
Should I buy a cheap phono preamp?
Only if you like ‘cheap’ sound from your vinyl playback system! There is enormous variation among phono preamplifiers, and sound