have a look around

GEAR GUIDES:

ALL THE GADGETS AND GIZMOES NEEDED TO ENJOY YOUR RECORD COLLECTION

BEST HEADPHONES FOR YOUR RECORD PLAYER

There are many advantages of investing in a high-quality headphone for your record player. While speakers are the first choice when it comes to most turntable owners, headphones have their unique place and experience. So, find out the main benefits of using headphones by reading our Vinyl Virgins Gear Guides and explore the best headphones you can choose for your record player.

The key benefits of using high-quality headphone are as follows:

Accurate presentation that is free of any surrounding acoustics or disturbance
Ease of connectivity
Additionally, no interference or distractions for others
BEST HEADPHONES
Some of the best headphones available for use with record players are as follows:
1. SENNHEISER HD 650
The Sennheiser HD 650 is the perfect pair of classic headphone you can find for your record player. Besides, it delivers the ideal balance of audio quality and price. Also, there is a high level of music detail, informative midrange, and meaty bass.

BEST TURNTABLE UPGRADES YOU SHOULD TRY

Turntables have come such a long way and our passion for turntables does not look like it will diminish soon. It is also not so hard to see why. The truth is that there is something exceptionally brilliant about owning and playing one of these. Maybe it’s the beauty in its sound, the feeling of lowering the needle, the liner notes, or the fantastic album artwork. But, we can’t help but to love and cherish it.

Well, whether you’ve been a lover of turntables since your young days, or just joining the new wave of enthusiasts, you will want the best as far as sound and look are concerned. First, it takes making a deliberate effort to buy the best turntable for your need. Then, you can perform component upgrade here and there to take it to the level you desire.

There’s so much you can do to take your hi-fi setup from where it is to where you desire for it to be. The turntables, the speakers, and the environment itself call all the upgrades or modifications to fit your listening need.

If you want to have beauty from an upgraded turntable, you must own at least a good quality turntable if you desire the best effects from your upgrades. That cleared, take a look at a few upgrade options in our Vinyl Virgins Gear Guides that can potentially turn your turntable to you’d want in one.

1. CARTRIDGE UPGRADE

A GIFT GUIDE FOR THE EXPERIENCED VINYL RECORDS COLLECTORS (vinyl virgins gear guides)

If you have a friend who is a self-professed vinyl records collector, then you will certainly strike home by offering him a gift. That gift could be something that would help his records stand out. Whether you end up buying slips or a cleaning set, or even a stereo system or an amplifier, it’s good to bounce some ideas off from our Vinyl Virgins Gear Guides and see what is right out there.

Today, we will look through several items that your vinyl record collector friends would love. So, let’s take a look at the ultimate gift guide that will promote you to the status of most thoughtful friend.

1. PRO-JECT AUDIO – PHONO BOX DC – MM/MC PHONO PREAMP

Your friend might be a sucker for turntables and love their analog sound. However, trust us – with this Pro-Ject Audio, you will undoubtedly get the thanks of your loved ones. The converter allows for the quick and smooth conversion of the record’s sound. Ready to crank up the volume and get the party started? We believe that Pro-Ject Audio Phono Box DC will bring a smile on your friend’s face.

Time to go from analog to digital with Pro-Ject Audio.

2. BOUNDLESS AUDIO RECORD CLEANER BRUSH

Now, every vinyl record aficionado will get their records dirty, but they won’t keep them that way. That is where you come in. Want to put some thought in your present? Then why not get your friends the Boundless Audio Record Cleaner Brush.

BEST CARTRIDGE UPGRADES FOR YOUR RECORD PLAYER (vinyl virgins gear guides)

If you want to make a cartridge upgrade for your record player, there are many excellent options available in the market. There can be two main types of turntable cartridges – one with moving coil and the one with moving magnet.

Thus, choose your product wisely depending on the kind of record player you have at home. Here is a list of 9 of the best cartridges from our Vinyl Virigns Gear Guides to make your decision.

1. GOLDRING E3 PHONO CARTRIDGE

It is a reliable and affordable cartridge providing a variety of features. Also, it is a moving magnet cartridge that weighs just 6.9g.

Above all, some of the main reasons for using it include:

Expressive
Highly refined
Plays well with other kits

Thus, it is a versatile cartridge that you can use with a wide range of players. Moreover, it delivers precise and clean sound, with all the power and clarity that you will require. As a result, rhythm is handled efficiently and fits perfectly for many midrange decks.

BEST PLATTER REPLACEMENT/UPGRADE FOR YOUR RECORD PLAYER (vinyl virgins gear guides)

Does your record player need a better platter? Do you think it is now time for a replacement? There are many options to choose the best platter. The dish is a crucial component that plays an essential role in two aspects:

Preventing unnecessary vibrations from interfering with the stylus.
Also, maintaining consistency in speed.

There are different types of platters based on the material used according to the Vinyl Virgins Gear Guides. While acrylic and MDF are commonly used, you can also find glass platters. Thus, if you are using the basic MDF platter, acrylic can be the next upgrade. However, you may also consider other sophisticated materials.

THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE UPGRADE!

There are many reasons why all these products use an excellent material for platters. Also, many of them offer various properties similar to the vinyl record itself. The products also have a higher mass compared to most of the high-performance thermoplastics. It helps in improving speed stability.

Some of the main benefits you should watch while upgrading to any platter:

Well-balanced frequency response without any loss in dynamics
Enhanced presentation of instruments in the soundstage means improved imaging
Brings out in-depth detail

BEST PLATTER MAT REPLACEMENT UPGRADE FOR YOUR RECORD PLAYER (vinyl virgins gear guides)

A good turntable mat provides protection to the record, improves sound quality, absorbs mechanical sounds, and reduces friction. Previous records can show specific static when removed and placed in the sleeves. Using the right mats can help in reducing this static. Static has the quality of attracting dust, which results in a pop sound.

When choosing the right mat, there are many factors that you need to address, and finally, consider during the purchase.

Here are 7 of the best platter mat replacements or upgrades from our Vinyl Virgins Gear Guides that you should consider for your record player.

1. HUDSON HI-FI ACRYLIC TURNTABLE MAT GREENLIT | LP SLIPMAT

It is a neutral acrylic platter that stands out for its excellent dynamics and sound quality. It features lesser splash in sound and excellent mid-range. Moreover, there is a strong, bass response. There is a unique, reflecting green edge. It measures 298.5 mm by 3mm and is a universal platter with standard turntables.

It is an excellent choice for uniquely absorbing vibrational energy. So, it allows better contact between the stylus and the grooves. It is lightweight and enables smooth record rotation. Antistatic properties of the material prevent dust build-up.

BEST PHONO AMP UPGRADE FOR YOUR RECORD PLAYER (vinyl virgins gear guides)

Your turntable requires a preamplifier to produce the soft audio waves perceptible. As a result, it will generate a phono output signal that may need a conversion to the AUX signal (line-level signal). Thus, if you want to upgrade your record player’s sound quality, you should consider upgrading its phono amp.

Here are 5 of the best phono amplifier upgrades that you should consider for your record player.

1. SUMIKO PRO-JECT AMP BOX MONO POWER AMPLIFIER

It may be a compact amplifier, but it can deliver SPL output and sound quality that is surprising for its size. Moreover, it works on a unique Bi-Phase Pulse-Width Modulation circuit, which helps it achieve an incredible 80% efficiency. Additionally, it can also generate 40W output with 4 Ohms.

So, if you are looking for a phono amp upgrade that is compact and highly efficient, this is the perfect option. It is ideal for the Bi/Tri-amplification system needs. Even more, it has a trigger signal feature that allows you to turn the amplifier on or off remotely. It comes with a power-on cable that allows relaying the trigger action to multiple speakers.

Finally, the metal frame is shielded and prevents EM interference or vibration from reaching the circuitry. This amp weighs just 1.5 lbs.

BEST SPEAKERS FOR YOUR RECORD PLAYER (vinyl virgins gear guides)

If you are looking for speakers for your record player, you can find many options available in the market. However, there are only a few that can be considered to be the best for this job.

Make sure to consider the following factors when choosing the perfect speaker for your turntable.

Audio
Durability & longevity
Ease of set up
Cost

The best 5 speakers for our record player are as follows:

1. JBL STUDIO 230

First of all, it is a 2-way pair that generates sublime sound and features premium parts and generates high-quality audio loud volumes.

Delivers exceptionally crisp detail
Also creates significant bass
Generates pitch-perfect vocal clarity thanks to the front-firing midrange driver
The built-in HD Imaging waveguide design generates accurate cinematic sound

However, the JBL Studio 230 requires 20W to 150W amp and has a rear-firing bass port.

BEST RECORD PLAYER FOR EVERY PRICE RANGE (vinyl virgins gear guides)

Best Record Players Buying Guide: Welcome to Virgin Vinyl’s round-up of the best record players for every price range you can purchase in 2019.

Whether you have a series of old albums, or you’re an active follower of the revival movement, investing in a new record player can be a worthwhile investment.

Although the idea of a turntable might make you think about the ’60s and ’70s, you’ll be surprised to find the most modern turntables are well-equipped with the most recent technology. USB outputs and in-built Bluetooth, which allow you to output tracks straight to your computer, a clear sign that you can listen to your record anywhere.

For this reason, sales of record players have grown steadily around the world since 2012, and there has never been a better time to invest in the best record player than now. With new releases slated soon from Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and Leonard Cohen, you don’t want to miss out on the best that this year has to offer.

The downside is there are many new products and complicated features, purchasing the best turntable can be very confusing. But read on, and we will help you find the best record player for every price range.

Let us start by taking a look at the little essential details that you must always consider when choosing a record player for your budget and listening needs. Do you want a more user-friendly direct-drive record player? Or do you need phono preamps?

All these questions will be answered here, and you’ll be enjoying all your favorite records in no time.