Wires, Junctions, Cables & Adaptors

Speakers Vinyl Records Turntables Needles & Accessories Audio System Components - Turntables - Amplifiers & Receivers - Speakers & Headphones - Digital & CD Players - All-In-One Audio Systems - Accessories & Spare Parts - Cables, Connectors & Hardware 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

How It Feels To Be Something On

Sunny Day Real Estate's 1998 album How It Feels to Be Something On is back in print on vinyl.Shrink-wrapped..

Into The Unknown

Effortless Portability is Great for Traveling, Visiting Friends or Enjoying Albums in the GarageBuilt-In Full-Range Stereo Speakers3-Speed Turntable (33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM)Available in Assorted Colors3.5mm Aux-In and RCA Ou..

Technics: Counter Weight / Tone Arm Balance Weight for Technics 1200 (SFPWG17201K)

Panasonic / Technics SFPWG17201K3 Tonearm Weight For All SL1200 Series and 1300 This part is original parts by PanasonicPanasonic / Technics SFPWG17201K3Panasonic Tonarm weightOriginal Panasonic Part..

Durpower Phonograph Record Player Turntable Needle For TOSHIBA C-55M, YAMAHA CG-6500S, CURTIS MATHES CM41, CURTIS MATHES CM-41

Brand New (factory sealed box) replacement stylus.New in box Pfanstiehl 697-D7 STEREO DIAMOND REPLACEMENT NEEDLE FOR SONY, SANYO, FISHER, KENWOOD, CROSLEY NOSTALGIA, ION AND MANY OTHER TURNTABLE MODELS.If You Have Questi..

Terrible Two [Vinyl]

Vinyl-only (till June) new release from this Baltimore threesome who are starting to gain a reputation for their live shows. Includes download coupon.Shrink-wrapped..

Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB2 Portable 2-channel controller for Serato DJ

Portable 2-channel controller for Serato DJ. DDJ-SB2 boasts all popular features from DDJ-SB, and adds some amazing new functions. This controller has been upgraded with 4-deck control and dedicated buttons to switch bet..

And the Anonymous Nobody

Double vinyl LP pressing. 2016 release, the ninth album from the hip hop trio. And The Anonymous Nobody is their first studio album in four years. Includes the single Pain featuring Snoop Dogg. The album also features Ji..

Greatest Hits (180 Gram Audiophile Translucent Gold Vinyl/Limited Anniversary Edition/Gatefold Cover)

EARTH, WIND AND FIRE - GREATEST HITS (180 G/GATEFOLD) - 2 VINYL SETRecord has been cleaned and new sleeved.Has original inner sleeve...

Accessories & Spare Parts

Product Compare (0)

Sort By:

Show:

Durpower Phonograph Record Turntable Needle For MODELS CURTIS MATHES R-1055, CURTIS MATHES R-2500, CURTIS MATHES S-1025

This new Brand New (factory sealed box) Generic replacement stylus.New old stockTip: .7 mil DiamondSpeeds: 33 & 45 RPM(factory sealed box) replacement stylus..

Durpower Phonograph Record Turntable Needle For MODELS CURTIS MATHES R1055 R2500 S1025 R-1055 R-2500 S-1025

This new Brand New (factory sealed box) Generic replacement stylus.New old stockTip: .7 mil DiamondSpeeds: 33 & 45 RPM(factory sealed box) replacement stylus..

Durpower Phonograph Record Turntable Needle For MODELS CURTIS MATHES R1055, CURTIS MATHES R2500, CURTIS MATHES S1025

This new Brand New (factory sealed box) Generic replacement stylus.New old stockTip: .7 mil DiamondSpeeds: 33 & 45 RPM(factory sealed box) replacement stylus..

Durpower Turntable Belt For BIC SL3200, BSR TB33, Curtis Mathes OM40, OM41

Specifications: This new Durpower turntable / record player belt fits most vintage turntables and many recent ones as well. If You Have Questions Please Contact Us; Our Best Customer Service Make You SatisfiedPrecision M..

Durpower Turntable Belt For CURTIS MATHES CM-40, CM-41

Specifications This new Durpower turntable / record player belt fits most vintage turntables and many recent ones as well.If You Have Questions Please Contact Us; Our Best Customer Service Make You SatisfiedPrecision Mol..

Gemini HD15 Hardshell for TT1000/20000 Speaker, Silver

Gemini HD-15 Head shell for 4-Pin Turntable Cartridge - SilverHead shell features a silver finish and mounts standard 4-pin turntable cartridges.Sturdy silver body with tracking armRubber washer for snug fit to tone arm...

Gemini HDCN-15 Turntable Headshell and Cartridge (Silver)

Gemini HDCN-15 Silver DJ Head shell w/ Cartridge & Elliptical Stylus Needle,Gemini HDCN-15 Turntable Headshell and Cartridge (Silver)sturdy silver body w/ tracking arm/ Rubber washer for snug fit to tone arm /Elliptical ..

Generic Audio Video Cable RCA to 3.5mm Audio Video Cable Extension Cable Black

Belkin's Y Audio Cable lets you connect your PC's sound card with your mini stereo quickly and easily. It's also a convenient way to connect portable CD players and other audio sources with 3.5mm jacks to a stereo rece..

Hunt: EDA Mark 6 Carbon Fiber Record Brush

Carbon-fiber bristles clean deep into your LP grooves while a velvet brush simultaneously takes care of the record surface. And, the velvet pad acts as an opposing charge to the static buildup that the bristles create. T..

iExcell Jack Panel Mount RCA Female Socket Connectors Adapter 30Pcs

Single RCA female socket, solder type.Product Name : RCA Socket;Type : RCA Female OutletMaterial : Plastic, Metal; Color : Silver Tone, Black,RedSize : 23 x 17 x 8mm/ 0.9" x 0.67" x 0.31" (L*W*T)Weight : 69gPackage Conte..

iMBAPrice RCA M/Mx3 Audio/Video Cable Gold Plated - Audio Video RCA Cable (3-RCA - 12 Feet)

12' 3-RCA Stereo Audio Video A/V AV Cable Gold PlatedRCA Stereo Audio/Video cables are excellent for connecting your VCR, DVD, HD-TV, and all other home theater audio/video equipment. These high performance gold contact ..

InstallGear 14 Gauge AWG 100ft Speaker Wire True Spec and Soft Touch Cable

From design, engineering and construction, InstallGear speaker wire is built not only to look good but to maximize the performance of any audio system. Easily connect your speakers to your entertainment system's A/V rece..

LCD Backlight LP Digital Turntable Stylus Force Scale Gauge Tester for Tonearm Phono Cartridge

Specification: - Capacity : 0-5.00g ( display 3 digit ) - Graduation : 0.01g- highly sensitive - Dimensions : 96 X 43 X 20 mm - Power : 2 X 1.5V lithium cell Ag12 (included) - Easy to operate; automatic turn-off after 2 ..

Mediabridge 14AWG 2-Conductor Speaker Wire (100 Feet, White) - 99.9% Oxygen Free Copper - ETL Listed & CL2 Rated for In-Wall Use (Part# SW-14X2-100...

MediabridgeTM Speaker WireThis 2-conductor speaker wire from MediabridgeTM lets you easily connect your speakers to amplifiers or receivers. High-strand count oxygen free copper conductors are color-coded to distinguish ..

Mediabridge 16AWG 2-Conductor Speaker Wire (100 Feet, Clear) - Spooled Design with Sequential Foot Markings (Part# SW-16X2-100-CL )

MediabridgeTM 16AWG Speaker Wire This 16AWG speaker wire from MediabridgeTM lets you easily connect your speakers to amplifiers or receivers. High-strand count (0.254mm x 26 strands) copper clad aluminum conductors are ..

Take a look inside BaseVinyl.com

How It Feels To Be Something On

Into The Unknown

Technics: Counter Weight / Tone Arm Balance Weight for Technics 1200 (SFPWG17201K)

Durpower Phonograph Record Player Turntable Needle For TOSHIBA C-55M, YAMAHA CG-6500S, CURTIS MATHES CM41, CURTIS MATHES CM-41

Terrible Two [Vinyl]

Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB2 Portable 2-channel controller for Serato DJ

And the Anonymous Nobody

Greatest Hits (180 Gram Audiophile Translucent Gold Vinyl/Limited Anniversary Edition/Gatefold Cover)

Accessories & Spare Parts

Durpower Phonograph Record Turntable Needle For MODELS CURTIS MATHES R-1055, CURTIS MATHES R-2500, CURTIS MATHES S-1025

Durpower Phonograph Record Turntable Needle For MODELS CURTIS MATHES R1055 R2500 S1025 R-1055 R-2500 S-1025

Durpower Phonograph Record Turntable Needle For MODELS CURTIS MATHES R1055, CURTIS MATHES R2500, CURTIS MATHES S1025

Durpower Turntable Belt For BIC SL3200, BSR TB33, Curtis Mathes OM40, OM41

Durpower Turntable Belt For CURTIS MATHES CM-40, CM-41

Gemini HD15 Hardshell for TT1000/20000 Speaker, Silver

Gemini HDCN-15 Turntable Headshell and Cartridge (Silver)

Generic Audio Video Cable RCA to 3.5mm Audio Video Cable Extension Cable Black

Hunt: EDA Mark 6 Carbon Fiber Record Brush

iExcell Jack Panel Mount RCA Female Socket Connectors Adapter 30Pcs

iMBAPrice RCA M/Mx3 Audio/Video Cable Gold Plated - Audio Video RCA Cable (3-RCA - 12 Feet)

InstallGear 14 Gauge AWG 100ft Speaker Wire True Spec and Soft Touch Cable

LCD Backlight LP Digital Turntable Stylus Force Scale Gauge Tester for Tonearm Phono Cartridge

Mediabridge 14AWG 2-Conductor Speaker Wire (100 Feet, White) - 99.9% Oxygen Free Copper - ETL Listed & CL2 Rated for In-Wall Use (Part# SW-14X2-100...

Mediabridge 16AWG 2-Conductor Speaker Wire (100 Feet, Clear) - Spooled Design with Sequential Foot Markings (Part# SW-16X2-100-CL )

Monster Cable XP Compact High Performance Clear Jacket Speaker Wire (30 Ft)

Music Hall Replacement Tonearm Wires

Neoteck Digital Turntable Stylus Force Scale Gauge 0.01g Blue LCD Backlight for Tonearm Phono Cartridge