New to Vinyl?
Not sure where to start?
Before you buy, understand what you’re buying. These three guides will save you from the most common mistakes.
What Is a Turntable?
How a turntable works, what each part does, and why the signal chain matters.
How to Choose Your First Turntable
The questions to ask before you spend a single dollar — budget, setup, phono stage.
Turntable 101 Curriculum
26 structured guides from foundations to performance troubleshooting.
Turntable 101 — Structured Curriculum
Learn how turntables actually work
Foundations →
How a turntable works and why the signal chain matters.
Setup & Alignment →
Tracking force, anti-skate, VTA, azimuth — in order.
Cartridge Mechanics →
MM, MC, MI, stylus shape, compliance, resonance.
Phono Stage →
Gain, loading, and why your phono stage matters.
Performance & Troubleshooting →
Wow & flutter, rumble, inner groove distortion.
Best-Of Lists
Best Moving Magnet Cartridges Under $200
Best Turntables Between $1000 and $2500
Best Moving Coil Cartridges Under $500
Best Turntables Under $500 — A Few Worth Stretching For
Best Cartridge Upgrades Under $300 (2026): 8 Picks We Love
Best Turntables Under $1000 (2026): 10 Picks We Love
Buying Guides
Watch Out For
Common Beginner Mistakes
Most setup problems come down to a handful of the same errors. Read the explainer before you buy or adjust.
Setting tracking force by feel instead of a scale
Even 0.2g off causes mistracking and groove wear over time.
Skipping cartridge alignment
A protractor takes 20 minutes and makes more difference than most upgrades.
Ignoring the phono stage
The built-in stage on most entry-level decks is a genuine weak link.
Buying an MC cartridge before understanding the gain requirement
MC needs significantly more gain than MM — the wrong phono stage will sound thin and noisy.
Not levelling the turntable
An unlevel deck introduces azimuth error and uneven stylus wear from day one.
HiFi 101
View full curriculum →
