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So youve got your first record player.
Believe me, I know how that feels.
Welcome to a hobby that demands not just your time buta lot of your money.
Theyre not even that expensive (well, not all of them).
Heres my top record player accessories picks.
Keep it clean!
Vinyl records are about as analog as audio gets.
The needle follows the groove and makes vibrations based on their profile.
Its like magic in motion, making sound from a microscopic wiggly line.
If theres any dust, muck, or grime on your record, the needle can get fouled up.
That means annoying snaps, crackles, and pops.
Thats… not good.
It can even wear down the stylus, so youll have to replace it more often.
Enter the vinyl cleaning kit.
Keep your records and your vinyl clean to verify theyre always sounding their best!
First things first, the price might change on this one.
But it’s got everything you could want to keep your stylus nice and clean.
Theres also a magnifying glass to see your stylus up close and ensure its been properly cleaned.
This is for brushing dirt off your records.
Start in the middle and brush outwards to ward off unwanted dust and even larger particles like stray hairs.
see to it you give it a wash occasionally, otherwise, you’ll putmoredust on the record.
You pop your new-to-you copy of Peace Sells …
But Whos Buying on your player, sit back and hit play.
But it sounds…bad!?
Its all wobbly and woozy.
It keeps changing speed, and Dave Mustaine sounds even more off-key than usual.
Your record is warped!
That only means it’s a bit bendy, which is carried through into the sound you hear.
My favorite is Pro-Jects Clamp-It!, but there are some other excellent options out there.
The Clamp It slips over your records, and then screws down to check that it stays in place.
Its a weighty rig, made out of a solid block of aluminum.
A cartridge upgrade on a beginner turntable is a great way to get even better sound.
Itll house a better stylus and then more impressive internals.
One of the best beginner upgrades over the standard cartridge in cheaper turntables is Goldring’s excellent E3.
Its a well-priced cartridge and brings some extra detail and control to your music.
One thing to double-check before buying a new cartridge is whether youcanchange out the unit.
Some models have built-in cartridges.
This stylus is the perfect upgrade.
It will increase the detail you hear in your music and bring some spaciousness to recordings.
But they can soundso much better.
The best way is to go and grab yourself a pair of powered speakers.
There are options for every budget.
One of my favorites is the spectacularFluance Ri71iif youre looking to spend around $400.
But those on a budget should look at the Edifier MR4.
These baby speakers fit just about everywhere in the house and feature excellent sound for their diminutive size.
Abolish static
Vinyl is a fickle beast.
To eliminate static, youll want ananti-static gun.
This super simple machine makes your vinyl sound its very best.
Easy to use before you play your records, it eliminates static-induced pops and crackles.
The Zerostat 3 is perfect if you live in a desert area or somewhere known for dry climates.
How cool is this?
You just point the Milty Zerostat 3 at your record, and pull the trigger.
Staticgone.Its a great addition to confirm that your records sound amazing.
