A turntable has one, singular, mechanical job: to spin a disc at a perfectly unwavering speed. For a 12-inch LP, that’s 33 and 1/3 revolutions per minute. Any deviation, however slight, and the musical pitch wavers, the rhythm stumbles, and the illusion is broken. How a turntable achieves this simple, perfect rotation is the first great philosophical split in analog design. It’s a choice that fundamentally shapes the character of the music that follows. The “unseen engine” that spins the platter is not just a motor; it’s a statement of intent. There are three paths: isolation, control, or force.
Read more →Category: Hardware
Your turntable is not a passive playback device. It is an instrument, and every component in the analog chain—from the cartridge that reads the groove to the phono preamp that amplifies the whisper into a roar—shapes the character of the music you hear. This category examines the physical tools of analog playback with honesty and clarity. We cut through the marketing mythology, explain what actually matters, and help you build a system that serves the music rather than your ego.
The Gatekeeper: Your Phono Preamp, the Unsung Hero of Your System
What is a phono preamplifier? Learn why this unsung hero is the key to your turntable's sound, responsible for amplification and RIAA correction.
Read more →The First Instrument: How Your Cartridge Shapes the Sound
Your phono cartridge isn't just a part—it's the first instrument. Our guide breaks down Moving Magnet vs. Moving Coil and stylus shapes to help you find the perfect voice for your vinyl.
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