The turntable is a device, used to play sound records. It contains a platform for the phonograph, this platform has a circular rotating structure. During previous years’ turntables were very famous, when the other latest music forms were not introduced to the world. Still, few record players are precious because they have salient and unique features.
Turntables aren’t too complicated, instead, they have a very simple operating system. Their basic purpose is to spin the records (set on it), they spin these records at a constant speed, to maintains the flow of the music. Few best quality audiophile turntables produce a more accurate and original sound (music) because of their high-quality features.
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How to Setup a Turntable?
Positioning your turntable for the first time is not that tough how much people aspect it to be. Rather it’s an interesting and mind freshening thing to do. Especially, if you have brought the latest technological turntable. Because they come with all type of latest equipment, for instance, Bluetooth connection option.
At the first step, you need to get familiarity with the parts of a turntable to understand how to set up a turntable. Because without knowing the basic usage of every part, you can’t be able to set it in a proper position or you might not be able to get the perfect/original sound.
Parts of a Turntable
1. Tonearm
The tonearm is that part of the turntable which holds the back of the needle (also called stylus). It has very important work to do, its correct fitting or balanced position is must require for the proper setting of the stylus in the groove. Because, if the stylus doesn’t get proper center or moved on either side, the sound will not be perfect.
2. Plinth or Support
Support (plinth) is that part of the turntable on which the whole system is settled. You can say that it’s a ‘base’ of the turntable. The basic purpose of this support is to handle the vibrations, by absorbing them. If the plinth does not work properly, the vibrations will cause negative effects on the turntable and the produced sound will not be 100% clear.
3. Circular surface or platter
This circular surface or platter is the most essential part of a turntable, as it is used to place records. Plus, this is the surface where your records also get spinning. Most platters contain a rubber mat which reduces the vibration level.
4. Cartridge
The cartridge contains the ‘stylus’. This is connected to the end part of the tonearm. When the record starts spinning on the platter, the vibrations move through the stylus, towards the cartridge to become electric signals. The stylus is made of different materials in different products, for instance, a small piece of diamond, sapphire, boron, etc.
5. Phono-stage or pre-amplifier
This part amplifies the electric signals and boosts up them to enable the sound perfect for hearing. When the music comes in the speaker it gives the perfect hearing sound because of the finalization from the phono-stage.
These all parts, enables the accurate working of a turntable, just you have to set them up perfectly. Let’s discuss, how to set up a turntable by setting these parts accurately;
First of all, set all the parts of your turntable together. plug the pre-amplifier (if you are using the external one) inside the output port of your turntable. This gets connected in the RCA cable (port) area. If you have the turntable with a built-in pre-amplifier, then just directly plug the speaker into the back.
The next step is the setting of the belt (if you have a belt-driven turntable). Connect the belt with the platter and the motor pulley. Pick up the dust cover plus remove the protective mat and platter. Slip the belt around underneath it and place the parts again. Pull the belt from the square opening of the platter while keeping it twist free.
The next and very important step is to set the tonearm accurately. Must keep that in your mind, before setting the tonearm make sure to unplug the record player to stop unexpected record spinning. Set the anti-stake control at zero, lift the tonearm (do it carefully because if it drops may cause damage to the stylus.
Set the tonearm at the position where it can move without support. But, try to set it at the height parallel to the record’s surface to keep it working smoothly. At the next set the tracking weight, which is also very important for the best sound. All these settings together give the expected results.
Set this tracking weight which is called ‘the amount of down-force in the record, the stylus places on the microgrooves’ comes 0n. this should be done for accurate adjustment of the tracking weight at the cartridge. Keeping it too high or too low can cause damage to your record.
Set it at the point of your satisfaction. Balancing the tonearm is the most difficult but necessary part of this setting and for 100% accurate sound. After all this process you can start spinning the record and enjoy your favorite music with perfect sound plus fewer vibrations.
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