A guide to turntable upgrades

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!

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Maintenance Tips

Free – Low Cost options: 

Clean Your Records
Price: Free

One 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 Protractor
Price: Free and up

An 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.

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Upgrades

Cartridge and Stylus

Upgrading 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-VM95ML
Price: £145

Known for its detailed and dynamic sound.

Ortofon 2M Blue
Price: £190

Offers a balanced and clear audio performance.

Grado Prestige
Price: $240 (US)

Delivers exceptional sound with its hand-assembled design, elliptical diamond tip, and twin magnet system, offering superior tonal balance and low distortion.

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Speakers

Speakers 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 ORA
Price: £299

Compact, 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 S3
Price: £750

The 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 Mk2
Price: £1500

Built 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.

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Platters/Matts

A 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 Mat
Price: $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 Turntables
Price: £30
High-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 E
Price: £125

An acrylic platter that reduces resonance and improves clarity.

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Phono Preamp

A 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 Amplifier
Price: £299

Clean 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 S2
Price: £345

Adds a warm, tube-based sound to your vinyl playback.

LEAK Stereo 230 Integrated Amplifier w/ Bluetooth
Price: £1200

Offers 115 watts per channel, aptX Bluetooth HD, HDMI ARC, premium ESS DAC, class AB amplification, MM phono stage, and auto-standby.

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Tonearm

Tonearms 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 RB330
Price: £415

Known for its precision engineering and excellent tracking ability.

Pro-Ject 9cc Evo
Price: £725

A carbon fiber tonearm that offers low resonance and high performance.

Clearaudio Satisfy Carbon Fiber Tonearm
Price: £1500

The Satisfy tonearm offers superb sound, Swiss bearings, Clearaudio Direct Wire, and magnetic anti-skating for exceptional performance and total satisfaction.

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Audio Cables

Audio 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 RCA

Provides excellent signal clarity and durability.

PRO-JECT Connect It Phono S RCA Interconnect Cable

Known for its low capacitance and high-quality construction.

AUDIOQUEST X2 15M Speaker Cable 15m

Top of the line clear speaker cables 

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