Turntable Accessories

Speakers Vinyl Records Turntables Needles & Accessories Audio System Components Complete Sound Systems

TAKING CARE OF YOUR RECORDS

Looking after your records is actually pretty simple (provided you keep at it), and many regard it as part of the magic of keeping a legendary collection. Chances are, if you own a sizeable vinyl vault, you'll be using the right cleaning materials already. Not everyone does though. And if you've mistakenly thought that tap water will do the trick, there's much more to learn. So stick around.After all, this is probably the one major part of your life that's not stored digitally.

Storage and Passive Care
Much comes down to you treat your records when they're not in use. This part is usually simple, but if you do it properly you'll be rewarded for decades to come. This involves some obvious pointers like keeping your vinyl out of the sunny windows and heat sources like amplifiers, and humid areas of the house like bathrooms or kitchens, presuming they don't have an extraction fan, are a definite no. Be wary of areas that are just hot or humid in general. If you're new to the game, you may not have known that records should never be stored horizontally in large numbers. If you really need to though, stacks shouldn't exceed 15-20 in number.

Then there are the obvious points: records should be kept in their sleeves when not in use. This comes down to the war against dust is, but it doesn't have to be a struggle. One fool-proof method is to store them in plastic sleeves. If you find that comes off as tacky, the cardboard sleeve should fare just fine. It also generates less static.

Guarding against static
Static is the other area you'll need to guard against. The paper sleeves which records are shipped in tend generate plenty of it. It pays to invest in some polyethylene lined sleeves for your most favored records.

Handling your records
If you're staging a romantic dinner and have been cooking all evening, remember keep those oily paws off the fine grooves. If you want your records and stylus to be playing like they did a year from now that is. For general handling though, the place you hold the record matters too: The labeled area and outer edges are safe-zones for those fingers.

Before and after slipping on a record, a carbon fiber brush is handy of removing any micro-particles that could've landed on your favorite LP between taking it out and replacing it inside it's sleeve. Another great way to remain dust-proof is to buy a record player with a lid.

Record Cleaning
No matter how meticulous you are about record storage, a good cleaning now and then will benefit your vinyl, keeping the sound just as crisp and clean as it should be. If it's an older record or you've just let it become dusty as hell through lack of discretion, there are a number of tried and tested ways of restoring it to it's former glory provided it's not been scratched. Any grime that invariably comes with second-hand records should be dealt with immediately so as not to damage your stylus.

If you want to simplify the process, there are plenty of cleaning machines available that will save you time, but assuming you're more hands on, there are some classic methods of record-cleaning that will be available for as long as records are around. That said, cleaning machines are also available, which will make the load lighter.

Cleaning Machines
Although automatic record-cleaning machines tend to be expensive and space-consuming, that doesn't mean you can't save time and money by buying a compact and trusty manual cleaning machine. Especially if you have a massive vinyl collection, this will turn a day's cleaning into a couple of hours. The Spin Clean Record Cleaner is one fine example of this, and it works using the same mixture of cleaning solution and distilled water.

The Classic Cleaning Method

Before you start to clean, always use a dry carbon fiber brush to take off any loose dust particles. Some cleaning solutions include this as part of the package, such as the Clear Groove Record Cleaning Solution for instance. If you don't brush before applying the wet cloth (the next step), dust can become lodged inside the grooves.

Next, apply your cleaning brush with record-cleaning solution. You might choose to dilute with some distilled water (Again, never use ordinary tap water as the minerals will cause the vinyl to degenerate). Now gently wipe the grooves, going with the grain, for obvious reasons. After a few swipes, check the cloth for any dust deposits and rinse them off before restarting the process. The cloth shouldn't be sopping wet, so just wet it enough to pick up those finer dust particles. While you're cleaning, be wary of getting any water on the label. This can cause smudging.

Now stack your records vertically and leave them to dry in an area of the house that isn't too dusty.

Stylus Maintenance
This is the point where the needle hits the groove, so it's crucially important to maintaining a healthy library.As we mentioned before, keeping your stylus clean and properly aligned will have a direct effect on how long your records last. This is because a badly maintained stylus can end up scratching your records. Keeping your records clean in turn, will effect the longevity of your stylus, so it's this cycle you need to keep an eye on, and fortunately it doesn't require a lot of work provided you don't let things get out of whack in the first place.

A few pointers are worth bearing in mind here:

- Never use a worn-out stylus.
-Ensure that your stylus is clean and free of grime at all times.
-Make sure you've balanced your stylus in accordance with your cartridge's requirements.
- Be sure to align your cartridge properly.
-Set up your anti-skate counterweight properly.

Summing it all up

In a nutshell, record-maintenance is all about keeping the physical connection between record and stylus crisp and clear. Records are still the most magical form of music-appreciation, and caring for your record collection won't require heaps of work if you take care of regular maintenance.

Take a look inside BaseVinyl.com

(The Ep) [Vinyl]

Owen is Mike Kinsella (American Football, Joan Of Arc, Cap'n Jazz). Previously only available as a CD EP and import-only 12-inch, this release contains the usual blend of beautiful acoustic work and wry lyrics fans have ..

The Studio Albums [5 LP Box Set]

Maroon 5 is an pop rock band that originated in Los Angeles, California. The group signed with a subsidiary of J Records, Octone Records, and released their debut album, Songs About Jane, in June 2002 which lead to a len..

GGMM M3 Retro Wi-Fi Bluetooth Wireless Leather Speaker for Music Streaming | Featuring Powerful 40W Audio Driver, Enhanced Bass, Multi-Room Play, A...

GGMM M3 -Professional Retro Design Wireless Hi-Fi Speaker FEATURES: 3 Connection Modes-- Wi-Fi Mode, Bluetooth Mode, Auxiliary Mode. Ability to connect up to 16 devices Multi Functions -- Support for Wireless Music Stre..

TURNTABLE BELT FOR THORENS TD-125 TD-145 TD-160 TD-165 TD-165C TD-574

Belts are brand new stockBelts are manufactured to match the OEM specsOutstanding Tech Support / 45 years experienceLifetime Warranty on all belts..

Polk Audio T15 Bookshelf Speakers, Pair, Black

The T15 are those bookshelf speakers whose high versatility is built to impress. Engineered with Polk's proprietary Dynamic Balance technology, they're primed to improve your home theater experience and take on your enti..

Audio-Technica AT6011 Anti-Static Record Brush

Audio-Technica AT6011 Anti-Static Record Brush for vinyl LP care and maintenance. Removes harmful dust and contaminants from your vinyl records.Removes harmful dust and contaminants from your vinyl records.Conductive syn..

Akai Professional BT100 | Belt-Drive Turntable with Bluetooth Streaming & DC Motor (Piano Black)

The Akai Professional BT100 has all the important features and outstanding performance that people demand from a great turntable, such as a quiet belt-drive system, a straight low-mass tonearm and a high-quality moving m..

Sylvania SRCD804BT CD Microsystem with Radio and Bluetooth

When you hear the Sylvania name immediately you think of good quality, well-built electronics at reasonable prices. The folks at Sylvania have once again delivered on those core values with a beautiful micro system featu..

Parts, Cleaning & Accessories

Product Compare (0)

Sort By:

Show:

Premium Leather Deer Hide Turntable Mat

After getting fed up with dust and static spoiling my audio experience, I decided to do something about it. The factory rubber and felt mats seemed to contribute to the problem, so I began a search for a new material. Af..

Universal Turntable Headshell Metallic Sky Blue

The DJDeals.com blank turntable headshell is compatible with all headshell-mount turntable cartridges.UniversalStandard mountIncludes pre-installed high-quality lead wires...

A-T Style Phono Headshell with Lead Wires & Gold Plated Contacts

Replace your turntable stylus with this universal aluminum headshell with gold plated contacts.Aluminum die-cast construction with integral finger lift24 Karat gold-plated pre-installed lead wiresFor use with standard 2-..

Acrylic Turntable Mat Cartridge Alignment Protractor Strobe Disc Stroboscope

PUREST AUDIO ST-PT-89 Turntable Strobe Disc / Alignment Protractor...Allows you to accurately adjust the speed of your turntable to 33-1/3, 45 and 78rpm. Designed for use in artificial light, the disc's pattern will appe..

ADJ Products TT-HEADSHELL Turntable Cartridge

Lightweight and durable the TT-Head shell is the best way to mount OM style turntable cartridges to the tone arm of your turntable. The TT-Head shell provides a study and secure mounting of most professional DJ cartridge..

Astatic N230-7s Columbia 0.7 Mil Sapphire Stylus

Astatic N230-7s Columbia 0.7 Mil Sapphire Record Stylus. CS-IX, A-245, W-110STS, 524, 856, COL 307SRecord StylusRecord Needle..

Astatic N427 Euphonics 371 0.7 Mil - 3 Mil Sapphire Record Stylus

Astatic N427 Euphonics 371 0.7 Mil - 3 Mil Sapphire Record Stylus. EU-3X, AC-346. W-188STSS, 596, 890, 2681Record Stylus..

Astatic N676 Sonotone N-8T-S Replacement Stylus

Astatic N676 Sonotone N-8T-S Replacement Record Stylus. S-69X; -71X, AC-238; 255, W (103; 107) TPS;STSRecord Stylus..

Astatic N8-7s 0.7 Mil Sapphire Phonograph Needle

Astatic N8-7s 0.7 Mil Sapphire Phonograph Needle 512; 516; 824; 825; 899; 3009; A-252; 258Phonograph Needle..

Astatic N811 Phonograph Needle (Stylus) Webster-Chicago NE-317

Astatic N811 Phonograph Needle. Webster-Chicago Stylus NE-371; 368, AC-52, W-63TPA. 313; 314, 513, WC-313SSRecord StylusRecord Needle..

Audio-Technica Universal Headshell (AT-HS1)

The AT-HS1 is a universal 1/2"-mount head shell for 4-pin turntable cartridges which features all-metal construction and an integral finger lift. It is equipped with a rubber washer for a secure fit to your tone arm and ..

Audio-Technica AT6011 Anti-Static Record Brush

Audio-Technica Bluetooth Turntable (White) ATLP60BT + ATN3600L Extra Stylus

Fully Automatic Operation Integrated Bluetooth Line and Phono Outputs 33-1/3 & 45 rpm Speeds Replaceable Stylus IncludedThis Audio-Technica Bundle includes the ATLP60BT White Turntable, an additional ATN3600L stylus, and..

AudioQuest LP record clean brush

AudioQuest LP record clean brushConductive Carbon Fibers..

Cartridge Alignment Protractor

Set up and align your cartridge with our new Diskeeper Cartridge Protractor! Easy to follow instructions on the back. Mirrored finish allows you to precisely fix the stylus. Proper setup and alignment is crucial to get t..

CARTRIDGE CONNECTOR WIRES CLIPS TURNTABLE HEADSHELL INSTALLATION

NEW 4 PIECE COLOR CODED TURNTABLE CARTRIDGE CONNECTING LEAD SET. WIRES MEASURE 1 3/4" LONG...

Collector Protector Vinyl Record Spray Cleaner and Anti Static Carbon Fiber Record Brush. The Perfect Combination To Keep Your Records Sounding Great

Collector Protector Cleaning Kit can help you keep your cherished LPs in premium condition. This kit consists of a bottle of cleaning solution as well as a hand-held carbon fiber brush.First thing to know about cleaning ..

Deluxe Turntable Cartridge Headshell Mounting Bolt Screw Kit 39 Pieces

Shrink-wrapped..

Showing 1 to 18 of 77 (5 Pages)