What should i put my turntable on

Putting together a turntable setup is a simple process; however, there are several things you should know before purchasing your setup. This Guide To Turntable Setups will explain: the key components, the different setup configurations, and the most commonly asked questions.

If you have further questions, don't hesitate to contact us. Beginner's Guide To Turntable Setups Putting together a turntable setup is a simple process; however, there are several things you should know before purchasing your setup. This is a guide for listening turntables. Direct Drive 4. Some turntables have a preamp built-in. In fact, most turntables these days have a built-in preamp. Some older amplifiers and stereo systems also have preamps built-in look for inputs on the back of the unit marked PHONO.

DJ mixers function as a preamp. If your turntable has a USB output, it has a built-in preamp. If you do need an external preamp, you will need a set of cables usually RCA cables to connect to your audio system. Preamps have a wide range when it comes to build and sound quality. This is the most common turntable setup.

You can easily add a turntable to your existing stereo system, just make sure to figure out whether you need a preamp or not. This is the most streamlined setup. An active speaker is self-powered and does not require an additional amplifier or stereo system. An active speaker will always have a power cord. Click here to view Active Speakers at TurntableLab.

Turntable Cartridge Preamp built-in or external Computer. If your turntable has a USB output, you connect your turntable directly into your computer. Isolation is even more important for subwoofers, since these boost the volume of low frequencies and extend the range of frequencies produced by your sound system.

If you can feel the beat, then your turntable probably can too. Keep your sub as far away from your turntable as your setup will reasonably allow. Setting your turntable on a heavy, stable piece of furniture will help isolate your turntable from all kinds of vibrations. Avoid surfaces that are light and rigid, since these surfaces may resonate at high volumes or shake when people walk by.

Your playing surface should be level. Otherwise, there will be excess horizontal force acting on the turntable. This excess force can increase friction in the turntable's bearings and can lead to tracking issues like distortion and skipping.

The placement of your turntable can also help prevent electrical noise from creeping into playback. What is interference? Interference presents itself as excess noise during playback - typically a buzz, hum, or static sound.

Keep in mind that analog sources like turntables will never be dead quiet like digital audio sources. But if you hear noise with music playing, then you should try to isolate your turntable from common sources of electrical noise. The transformers found in amps and powered speakers also emit noise - so there's another good reason to keep your turntable away from your powered speakers.

Most stereo receivers have the transformer on the left side, so putting the turntable on the right side of the receiver is recommended. We strongly recommend not placing your turntable on top of your receiver - this can cause buzz issues and may also prevent your receiver from getting proper air flow. Use common sense when finding a place for your turntable. In other words, keep it in a climate-controlled indoor space.

Don't leave it outside or anywhere that it will be exposed to the elements. You've got some records. Now what? To get the most out of your record collection, setting up and maintaining your turntable is simple, and it costs next to nothing!

Here are some tools and techniques to get you started, as well as some additional equipment upgrades for when you're ready. Ensuring your turntable is level is one of the most basic steps of setup. You can try doing it by eye, but a bubble level is much better. I've had limited success with the free apps available on the App Store and Google Play, and found "analog" is much better.

For example, Amazon has a well-reviewed Diskeeper bullseye level for five bucks plus shipping. Just place the level on your platter and move the turntable so that it's horizontal.

If it doesn't have adjustable feet, use coins or even a pad of post-it notes! The easiest hack here is also the cheapest. Washing your records! All you need is warm water, a squirt of dish soap and a lint-free glasses cleaner or your fingers wash your hands first.

Avoid the label if you can, but the Audiophiliac says that he's never had a label fall off in the many years he's been doing it. Rinse with fresh water once you're done, then lean it somewhere clean to dry. While you wouldn't want to clean your records on each play, it's worthwhile to do it every couple of years, and especially whenever you buy a second-hand record.

An alignment protractor makes sure that the stylus inside your cartridge is aligned with the groove. Without it, you might experience inner groove distortion or a lopsided stereo image as the stylus favors one side over the the other.

If your turntable has a fixed headshell that screws or plugs directly into your turntable's tonearm, you may be able to skip this step. Otherwise you'll need one of these. Still playing your turntable on the floor? Get a table! The Ikea Lack costs around 10 bucks, and it offers a sturdy enough base to put your player on. Place the gauge on your turntable platter, put the stylus on the pad, then adjust the counterweight to dial in the correct weight.

Your turntable's instruction manual should detail how much "tracking force" to apply usually measured in grams.

One of the easiest and best ways to keep your records at their best is to buy a record-cleaning brush. Hands up if you have at least one warped record in your collection. The Clearaudio Clever Clamp uses friction to hold your record on the platter preventing it from slipping and producing that "wow" sound. And the clamp places no extra strain on your turntable's motor, unlike record weights.