Major Considerations

Now, let’s talk about the most important aspects of your audio experience…While it all matters, these are the primary elements that can make or break your vinyl enjoyment:

Audio Equipment: What’s your gear like? Speakers blown? Does your amp still deliver (equally on both channels)? Often, the components of a stereo can break down slowly, leaving you with a series of subtle, diminishing returns. The quality of gear you have and the compatibility between components and proper settings can help make your system sing. If you’re cranking the bass to max to find joy, there may be other issues afoot. The additional of an equalizer can both boost volume and performance and for those on a tight budget, it’s possible to find a good vintage version online starting at $200 or so.

Stylus: I only recently came to understand the importance of this and the huge difference it makes. Depending on your system, its smart to get a consult from a knowledgeable stereo shop. Kane at HiFi Attic suggested I move to a Nagoka 110 cartridge for $215 for my back-up table and it made a massive difference. The money spent was well worth it. And, the hidden beauty in a service like this is that they will mount and balance your new stylus for no additional charge. What a bargain!

Clean Connections: We might assume that this goes without saying, but, making sure your system is set up properly with speakers in phase - left speaker to left channel and right speaker to right channel) is essential. (Remember, red is always right.) The quality of the wires and connectors themselves can also be a factor to consider and they are charged with the rather important task of moving the sound from component to component and finally, to your speakers.

Optimal Volume: Most stereos have a sweet spot, a performance range where they sound their best. If the volume is too low, the system can’t “breathe,” if the volume it to high and the system is not equipped to deal with the power, well, things can sound poorly and quickly go sideways from there.

Acoustics: Volumes (pun intended) have been written on this, but basically, the physical shape of the room where your stereo lives, the materials your room is made of, and the positioning of your speakers within the room properly, can help dramatically improve your sound.

Sometimes it’s the little things. Placing pads under your speakers (if they’re a floor model) lifting your speakers using stands or even tilting them a few degrees upward with a rolled up towel can amaze with literally no additional investment required. If your room need softness, it’s possible to make DYI baffles using old blankets.

Keep your turntable on a solid surface to reduce noise. This table features iron legs!