Frequently asked questions about turntables and vinyl, belt-drive vs direct-drive, cartridges, headshells, alignment and more.
Yes, we can supply and fit a belt if your turntable visits Liquid Audio for a service, for example. Liquid Audio is not a retailer, though, so we don’t operate a retail storefront or offer retail parts sales. This is exactly the same as a mechanic not selling spark plugs to the general public. We […]
I suggest avoiding equipment in poor condition, as a general rule. My recommendation is always to buy the very best example of the equipment you are looking for, in the best condition, with the best service history, and a recent inspection and condition assessment, if possible. Everyone wants a bargain, and buying equipment in poor
What are your thoughts on buying equipment in poor condition? Read More »
No, not without taking a few precautions! If you quite enjoy your current cartridge, let me give you a little bit of advice, from one long-time lover of all things vinyl to another. Nothing ruins your day faster than an absent-minded dust down of your turntable with a soft microfibre cloth, that runs a little
If you are going to get a belt, a critically important part of how your turntable runs, at least get a good one. How will you know if you’re getting a cheap turntable drive belt or a quality belt of the correct size or not? Well, if it’s very cheap, that probably answers your question!
Hell, yeah! Everything in the signal path and attached to a cartridge makes a difference. Materials and construction improve as one spends more on headshells, wires and mounting hardware. This translates to better detail retrieval and micro-resolution. Naturally, the higher your system resolution, the more noticeable these differences will be, which is why I focus
Do headshells, wires and mounting hardware make a difference? Read More »
Cartridge-tonearm matching is very important! In fact, the match is so critical that improperly matched elements can lead to a dangerous condition that can damage vinyl and even potentially break a cartridge.
Oh, that’s simple: belt drive turntables are cheap to make. Even small manufacturers can tool up to make basic new belt drive turntables. You could just about make your own at home, and that’s how many small manufacturers start out. Direct drive turntable manufacture is quite different, though. It requires considerably more engineering and capital
