Investing in a dedicated record player stand or a turntable unit is essential if you want to get the most from your vinyl hobby. There are many units available (all with different pros and cons) designed to suit different living spaces and record collections. In reality, any solid cabinet or surface can make a great space to house your turntable, … Read More
How to Balance a Tonearm & Set Turntable Tracking Force
Adjusting your tonearm tracking force is one of the most important aspects of setting up your turntable. You need to apply the correct amount of downward pressure so the stylus can accurately track your records. Failing to set this correctly can result in poor sound quality, or worse, damaged records. If you’ve just purchased a turntable, there’s a good chance … Read More
Worst Vinyl Record Collecting Mistakes
As record collectors, we all make mistakes from time-to-time. Particularly when we’re new to the vinyl hobby, there’s a lot to take on and learn. Even the most seasoned of vinyl hoarders would be hard-pressed to say they never make a mistake or skimp over the details. If not, well, you’re a better man than me! We’ve rounded up the … Read More
Classic Albums: Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak
Guest contributor, Brandon Stoner tells the story of Thin Lizzy’s 1976 breakthrough album, Jailbreak. By the time Thin Lizzy stepped into London’s Ramport Studios to begin production on their sixth studio record Jailbreak they were confident, flashy, and ready to take on anything. With a stiff upper lip and proverbial stiff middle fingers in the air they knew they had … Read More
How Often Should You Clean Vinyl Records
Cleaning vinyl records is a necessary part of the vinyl hobby. For some, it puts them off record collecting entirely, while for others, it’s all part of the tactile nature of the format and a large part of its appeal. In essence, restoring an old record can be very rewarding. But how often should you clean vinyl records? Is there … Read More
10 Fun Facts About Vinyl Records For The True Vinyl Geek
Despite the convenience of digital streaming, vinyl records continue to grow in popularity. The world of vinyl is full of interesting facts and details that even the most seasoned collector might not know. To celebrate the lasting returning success of a format once written off as obsolete, we’ve compiled a list of fun facts about vinyl records for the true … Read More
How to Clean Vinyl Records with Soap & Water? (Don’t do it!)
I’ll cut right to the chase; don’t do it. You’ll find countless articles on how to clean vinyl records with soap and water online, and I’m here to explain why that might not be such a wise idea. Sure, we all want clean vinyl records, free of pesky pops and clicks – that much is a given. But what if … Read More
Win a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Turntable
We’ve teamed up with Pro-Ject Audio Systems to give one lucky grand prize winner the chance to win a Debut Carbon EVO turntable* The Debut Carbon EVO retails for £449 and focuses on the core aspects that make a turntable sound great. It’s everything we love about the original Debut Carbon, but just a little more grown-up. In particular, features … Read More
Pro-Ject MaiA S3 Review – Small Amp, Big Sound?
Pro-Ject recently announced the launch of their upgraded MaiA integrated amplifier. The new MaiA S3 is said to boast several upgrades on the original design to deliver flexibility and audiophile-quality sound in a compact design. The fundamental question is: can the S3 punch above its weight? Pro-Ject first released the MaiA amplifier in 2014. The name stands for “My Audiophile … Read More
Best Crates for Vinyl Records
Whether you’re moving your entire collection or simply prefer crate-digging to flicking through shelves, crates and boxes are an important part of vinyl record storage. Crates are arguably one of the most flexible ways to store records. They’re compact, easy to tuck away, and highly portable. Even if you already own a large cabinet or shelf for storing the bulk … Read More