7 tips for getting better sound from your turntable!

Buying a great turntable is the most important decision you can make when creating a sweet-sounding analog stereo system. But even the best record player will benefit in a big way from the right setup and accessories.

Some turntable accessories are so essential, you should have them on hand from the first day you start playing records. Others you may decide to add later if you find you're just not quite getting the sound quality you hoped for.

We've come up with 7 tips for improving your turntable sound, starting with the most basic add-ons and getting into more advanced solutions as we go.

1. Keep your records dust-free

When you order your turntable from Athens Pro Audio, order a good record brush, too. You should brush your records each time you play them, period. 

A good record brush removes dust and static electricity from records to reduce pops, clicks, and other surface noise.

Brushes are made from soft carbon fiber that can remove loose dust, fibers, hair… all things that tend to settle on any flat surface in our homes. Modern brushes also have a conductive metal piece in the handle that helps draw off static electricity, which also produces audible noise.

When your records aren’t on the platter, keep them scratch-free and safe from dust and static by substituting good record sleeves for the abrasive paper sleeves they often are shipped in.

See all the accesories here.

2. Add a cushy record mat

When buying a turntable, it would be a good idea to also purchase a mat made of cork or 100% natural wool.It decouples the record from the platter, which can transmit rumble from the ‘table’s motor. It also grips the record better for a more consistent speed, and reduces static that can attract dust particles to the record’s surface. It's a relatively small investment that pays big dividends.

See all the accesories here.

3. Reduce unwanted vibrations

The needle on your record player is very sensitive to vibration. That’s what makes it so good at bringing out nuances from a record groove, but it also means your sound can be affected by unwanted vibrations. Fortunately there are a number of relatively simple fixes that help isolate the needle from vibration.Vibration isolators remove that danger, plus any rumble that may be transmitted from amps, speakers or other devices that share a platform with your turntable.

Solutions like those from IsoAcoustics (vibration isolators) can help keep vibrations from footsteps or neighboring devices from interfering with your music listening experience. Solid placement on vibration-resistant furniture is also important. Consider placing your 'table on a solid turntable stand, for instance.Another excellent solution, if feasible, is to mount your turntable on the wall using a special wall-mounted shelf. We highly recommend using a set of speaker stands to isolate your turntable from sound vibrations and enhance the overall listening experience. And I highly recommend a set of speaker stands to help isolate your turntable from sonic vibrations and improve your overall listening experience.

See all the accesories here.

4. Check your cables

Sometimes, a crackling sound from your record player means the cables that connect it to the rest of your gear have frayed connections. Many turntables ship with relatively inexpensive cables that are useful for getting started, but don’t always last as long.

Well-made RCA cables use high-quality materials to improve signal transfer, especially over slightly longer cable runs. Turntables also need to be well-grounded to eliminate a very annoying low-frequency hum that can creep in. If you're experiencing this, a high-quality grounding cable can help.

See all the RCA cables here.



5. Give your records a deep cleaning

If your playback sounds crackly or muddy even after you use a cleaning brush, your records may need a deeper cleaning. A brush can remove surface detritus, but record grooves can harbor deeper infusions of grease, mold and grime, especially if you haunt the used record shops like I do — you just don’t know what conditions the former owner subjected them to.

A good record cleaning machine that uses specially-formulated cleaning fluid and vacuum suction to really clear out the grooves can make records sound like new, and add years of listening life by keeping them in good shape.

A Record Doctor cleaning machine can make records — old or new — sound their best by removing packing and shipping debris or worn-in grime from decades of service.

Some excellent options are as follows:

HumminGuru NOVA Advanced Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner

HumminGuru Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner Bundle

HumminGuru Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner

Okki Nokki ONE

Pro-Ject VC-E

Pro-Ject Spin Clean Record Washer System MKII

6. Upgrade your cartridge

Your turntable probably shipped with a pretty decent cartridge, but you’ve got plenty of room for improvement. It's a very crucial component and possesses its own unique magic!



Some turntables have a nut on the tonearm that can be loosened to remove and replace the headshell for a relatively easy cartridge replacement process. If you don’t have this option, you can still replace your cartridge, but it may be a good idea to get help from a professional so you don’t damage the delicate wire leads.

See all cartridges here.

7. Invest in a high-quality phono preamp

Most turntables ship with a good phono cartridge pre-installed. But there are more advanced models available, and if you’re considering making an upgrade, a more sophisticated phono preamp makes that possible. A good preamp offers adjustable settings that help you get the most out of a top-notch cartridge.

Some audiophiles prefer the warm, inviting sound of a preamp that uses old-school vacuum tube technology, plus they look pretty cool. And some preamps offer a built-in subsonic filter that eliminates distracting low-frequency “rumble.” Others, on the other hand, remain faithful to transistors! Regardless, what matters is the upgrade. And some preamps offer a built-in subsonic filter that eliminates distracting low-frequency “rumble.”

At Athens Pro Audio, there is a wide range of preamplifiers available for you to choose from, so you can find the one that best suits your needs.

See here all the phono preamps.



Let us help

Creating an exceptional record playback system is a fantastic experience, but completing it can be challenging and might even feel never-ending! 

If you want your stereo system to function in harmony, come to the experts at Athens Pro Audio. With their experience and knowledge, they can help you set up and equip it properly. Contact us for any questions or assistance.

AthensProAudio Team ©