Bringing your audio setup to the next level.So, you’ve had your turntable for a while and want to boost its sound quality without purchasing a new, high-end model–well, you’re in the right place. Upgrading individual components can improve your setup and save you money. Although the process might seem more complex than buying a new turntable, there are a few common issues that can impact sound quality, such as not replacing the cartridge's needle, using unbalanced furniture, or having an improperly set up turntable.Upgrading your turntable setup can be a rewarding process. By prioritising components like the cartridge, platter, tonearm, and speakers, you can improve audio significantly without breaking the bank. Remember, the journey to better sound is personal, and each upgrade will bring you closer to your ideal listening setup. Happy listening!

Maintenance Tips

Free - Low Cost options:

Clean Your RecordsPrice: FreeOne of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve sound quality is by cleaning your records. You only need warm water, a bit of dish soap, and a lint-free cloth. Gently clean the record, avoiding the label if possible. After cleaning, rinse the record with fresh water and let it dry on a clean surface. While you don't need to do this before every play, it's a good idea to clean your records every few years–especially when buying used ones.Alignment ProtractorPrice: Free and upAn alignment protractor ensures your cartridge’s stylus is correctly aligned with the grooves of your records. Proper alignment helps avoid issues like distortion or uneven sound. If your turntable has a fixed headshell, you might not need this tool. Otherwise, it’s crucial. You can download free alignment protractors online or buy one.

Upgrades

Cartridge and StylusUpgrading your cartridge and stylus can yield the most noticeable improvement in sound quality. A high-quality cartridge can reveal details in your music that you may have never heard before. Here are some excellent moving magnet (MM) cartridges for mid-level turntables:Audio-Technica AT-VM95MLPrice: £145Known for its detailed and dynamic sound.Ortofon 2M BluePrice: £190Offers a balanced and clear audio performance.Grado PrestigePrice: $240 (US)Delivers exceptional sound with its hand-assembled design, elliptical diamond tip, and twin magnet system, offering superior tonal balance and low distortion.

SpeakersSpeakers in a turntable setup are crucial for accurately reproducing music from your records. They convert the amplified signal into sound, making the quality of your speakers directly impact the overall listening experience. Upgrading to high-quality speakers can enhance detail, clarity, and depth, allowing you to fully appreciate the improvements from other turntable upgrades. Better speakers ensure you hear all the nuances and richness of your music.Kanto ORAPrice: £299Compact, versatile audio with Bluetooth 5.0, RCA, and USB-C. With 50W power and optional stands, they’re ideal for any setup.Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3Price: £750The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 speakers offer refined sound, enhanced bass, and advanced tech. With a larger footprint and titanium tweeter, they provide a mature, powerful listening experience.Dali Opticon 6 Mk2Price: £1500Built in Denmark, the Opticon 6 Mk2 offers detailed, dynamic sound and deep bass, making you feel like you’re in a studio. Dali’s reputation for superb sound continues.

Platters/MattsA turntable platter is a rotating platform that supports and spins your vinyl records, ensuring stable rotation and optimal sound quality. The material of the platter impacts performance: metal platters help reduce vibrations, acrylic ones enhance clarity, and heavier platters provide consistent rotation by minimizing resonance. Record mats, placed on top, further reduce vibrations and improve contact, with materials like felt or rubber influencing sound quality. Each combination of platter and mat affects your audio experience uniquely.Turntable Lab Cork & Rubber MatPrice: $24.95 (US)Enhances playback quality with excellent sound dampening and grip. Its reversible design fits all turntables, perfect for audiophiles seeking stability.Fluance Acrylic Platter Mat for TurntablesPrice: £30High-density acrylic improves sound quality by absorbing vibrations for tighter bass and clearer midrange. Reduces static, enhances tracking, and fits all 12” turntables.Pro-Ject Acryl It EPrice: £125An acrylic platter that reduces resonance and improves clarity.

Phono PreampA phono preamp boosts the turntable's weak signal, making the sound clearer. An integrated amp with Bluetooth/streaming lets you combine audio components and stream music wirelessly. A tube amp uses vacuum tubes to amplify sound, adding warmth and richness. Upgrading to these can make a big difference, giving you clearer, more detailed sound, modern streaming options, and a warmer, richer audio quality for a more enjoyable listening experience.NAD D3020 V2 Hybrid Analog/Digital AmplifierPrice: £299Clean sound with 30W continuous and 100W+ dynamic power, it features bass boost EQ, a headphone amp, subwoofer output, and a remote control.Pro-Ject Tube Box S2Price: £345Adds a warm, tube-based sound to your vinyl playback.LEAK Stereo 230 Integrated Amplifier w/ BluetoothPrice: £1200Offers 115 watts per channel, aptX Bluetooth HD, HDMI ARC, premium ESS DAC, class AB amplification, MM phono stage, and auto-standby.

TonearmTonearms are crucial components of a turntable that hold and guide the cartridge over the record's grooves. They affect tracking accuracy and sound quality. Upgrading to a high-quality tonearm can significantly improve your turntable’s performance by enhancing tracking precision, reducing distortion, and providing better sound clarity. A well-designed tonearm ensures optimal contact between the cartridge and record, leading to superior audio reproduction.Rega RB330Price: £415Known for its precision engineering and excellent tracking ability.Pro-Ject 9cc EvoPrice: £725A carbon fiber tonearm that offers low resonance and high performance.Clearaudio Satisfy Carbon Fiber TonearmPrice: £1500The Satisfy tonearm offers superb sound, Swiss bearings, Clearaudio Direct Wire, and magnetic anti-skating for exceptional performance and total satisfaction.

Audio CablesAudio cables connect your turntable to amplifiers or speakers, transmitting the sound signal. High-quality cables are crucial for turntable upgrades because they minimize signal loss and interference, ensuring a clearer and more accurate audio experience. Better cables can enhance detail, reduce noise, and improve overall sound quality, allowing you to fully appreciate the improvements in your turntable setup.AudioQuest Golden Gate RCAProvides excellent signal clarity and durability.PRO-JECT Connect It Phono S RCA Interconnect CableKnown for its low capacitance and high-quality construction.AUDIOQUEST X2 15M Speaker Cable 15mTop of the line clear speaker cables Read more: A guide to DJ cartridges