Some vinyl records seem ridiculously short. In some cases, an album is even broken up over two separate vinyl discs. But then there are other albums on a single record that are actually longer. What gives? Why does the amount of music on a vinyl record vary so drastically? It turns out there is a […]
Record Player Advice
Tips and advice on owning and caring for turntable record players. I've tried to cover as many common questions as I could think of, but if you need tips or advice on something I haven't covered, use the form on my contact page to ask and I'll be happy to write a post answering it.
Do I Need A Preamp If My Receiver Has A Phono Input?
Some receivers have built-in phono preamps. The same goes for some record players. Is it a problem if both have preamps? Do you use them both? Or do you not use either and get an external preamp instead? The best answers to these questions depend on a few things. Keep reading to get the answers […]
Do Crosley Turntables Ruin Records? (The Real Truth)
Crosley turntables have a bit of a reputation. And it’s not a good one. They make low cost record players that are quite popular with first-time buyers on a budget. As usual, you get what you pay for. But do Crosley turntables really ruin records? Or is that just an exaggeration. The truth is: they […]
Belt Drive Vs Direct Drive Turntable (Which Is Best For You?)
You only have two options. It should not be that hard to choose. But both belt drive and direct drive turntables have distinct advantages. That makes it a bit more difficult to decide on one over the other. The good news is that there is a definite favorite. But it depends on how you plan […]
Why Are Turntables So Expensive?
Let’s clear one thing up right away. Not all turntables are expensive. There are plenty of record players that sell for under $100. Naturally, those are not very good. You can get some great record players for a few hundred dollars. These are perfectly fine for most people. If you want to get the best […]
What Is A Turntable Cartridge? (Everything You Need To Know)
Do you want your records to sound better? Then get a new cartridge. Seriously, this is the best record player upgrade you can make. Nothing else gives you more bang for your buck, especially if you currently have a stock cartridge. A high quality cartridge makes a world of difference. But what is a turntable […]
What Is A Direct Drive Turntable? (And Is It Better?)
“You need a belt drive turntable. Direct drive is crap!” “What? Direct is much more precise. And it doesn’t break!” Even if you haven’t gotten in the middle of one of these arguments, those lines should give you an idea of how strong people’s opinions can be. Most have a clear preference and will never […]
Record Player Sounds Distorted (Possible Causes And Fixes)
Several issues could cause a record player to sound distorted. Most are easy to diagnose and many are also easy to fix. We’ll help you with both. But before that, we highly recommend asking somebody else to take a listen first. Sound issues can be very subjective. You might think it sounds off, but others […]
Record Player Playing Too Fast (How To Diagnose And Fix It)
Think your record player is spinning too fast? There is a good chance it’s not. You might swear that some pitches seem high or the sound is distorted. But sometimes it’s your ears that are off, not the sound. And once you get it into your mind that your record player is too fast, you […]
How To Tell If A Record Is A First Pressing
There’s something you should know. Actually, you probably already know it. First pressings are often not that good. For many older records, reissues sound much better. But well-preserved first pressings can be valuable. And you’re probably asking this question because you’re hoping you have one of those on your hands. Determining whether a record is […]