Record Props – Vinyl Record Display

A Turntable Upgrade Buying Guide:

The second most popular question we get asked: When it comes time to upgrade our turntable, what listening station upgrades should we look at first? We’ve got an excellent beginner setup, and our collection is growing. Should we get a new stylus? Upgrade the speakers? Get a new turntable or receiver?

If you caught our guide to starter turntable setups and are ready to take the next step, let’s look at mid-range upgrades and setup tips, equipment recommendations, and more common mistakes to avoid when upgrading your gear. Grab a glass, and let’s dive in.

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Mid-level Turntable Recommendations | Cartridge/Stylus | Floor-standing Speakers | Amps/Receivers | Cables

MID-Level Turntable UPGRADEs

Top Five Considerations:

1. Try the following order of upgrading basics: Turntable > Cartridge / Stylus > Amplifier > Speakers.

2. Ditch the built-in preamp turntables. Begin the phono preamp / amplifier journey.

3. Pay attention to plinth and tonearm build quality when browsing turntables.

4. Moving Magnet (MM) Cartridges provide near-infinite options for solid quality at mid-level prices.

5. Invest in better speakers. It’s time to move from bookshelf to floor-standing options.

Price Point:

When trying to determine how much to budget for a solid mid-range setup, the ranges compared to beginner setups begin to widen considerably. We can build a great mid-level turntable station in the $1500-3000 range that includes the five primary components of the listening station. This range will get us excellent mid-level equipment to last a lifetime. We’ll go into more detail in this mid-range which allows anyone to upgrade significantly without killing our bank accounts in the hi-fi category.

Take Note: Many will argue the definition of hi-fi. Where do we draw the line between mid-range and hi-fi? Think of it like this: When we no longer purchase equipment online because we need to visit a specialty shop to listen in person before making an investment decision… we might have started our hi-fi journey.

Can the average person tell the difference between spending $2,000 vs. $50,000? That’s a great, detailed conversation for another day.

MID-LEVEL TURNTABLE
UPGRADE RECOMMENDATIONS

Our top three picks for mid-level turntables contain a solid plinth foundation, a high-performing moving magnet cartridge and stylus combo, a tonearm we’ll never have to think twice about, and adjustable counterweights. These key features add up to perfect upgrades for our ideal mid-level turntables. Now, onward to personal preference…

Turntable Cartridge / Stylus Upgrades

Upgrading cartridges can be one of the fastest ways to completely transform an existing turntable's sound. We can quite literally hear previously unheard details. When the sound is derived from a higher-quality cartridge, the difference is immediate, especially when compared to a lesser-quality or worn-out stylus. Each of the options below are moving magnet (mm) cartridges that will fit most mid-level turntable brands on the market.

Mid-Level speaker UPGRADEs

Get off the bookshelf with a pair of quality floor-standing speakers and let those vinyl records shine. Immediate differences when we upgrade to a fuller-range speaker pair include wider soundstages, more dimensional and overall clarity of sound. Everyone experiences sound uniquely and there may be subtle differences between each of our recommendations, but rest assured, it’s a night and day difference from entry-level bookshelf speakers.

NOTE: A decent powered amp or receiver is a necessity for speakers to shine.

Amplifier / Receivers

When we’re ready to upgrade the stereo or home theater receiver, selections can be overwhelming. Start by considering whether our setup includes just a turntable (2-channel stereo), or if we’ll be pairing it with a TV or home theater setup (surround sound potential). Is bluetooth or additional connectivity important? Are we looking for multi-channel surround or broadcast capabilities to multiple rooms? We’ve narrowed to our top three high-quality per-price-point selections to cover the most common scenarios.

Audio Cable UPGRADEs

Audio cables can be one of the more controversial and debated components when it comes to upgrading our turntable setup. But rest assured, high-quality cables do have potential to improve our overall audio performance and reduce signal interference.

The higher-quality materials in these cables improve signal transmission, reduced interference, and enhanced durability. This comes from better conductivity and insulation (more accurate signal transmission), more effective shielding (eliminating external interference), and overall material and construction (durability and reduced signal degradation).

NOTE: We do face diminishing returns here – audio cables cannot improve upon other low-quality components. Because of this, it’s one of the final stages to completing a system upgrade.

Just getting started
or looking for more?

Venture back to our buying guide for starter turntable setups or send us your questions and recommendations. We’re always excited to learn about new gear.

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