Gift ideas for vinyl fans
Analogue Studio
45 RPM Centre Hole Spindle Adapter
Machined from a single block of aluminium, the 45 RPM Centre Hole Spindle Adapter is an elegant solution for playback of any singles that are missing their detachable centre. The adapter is simply fitted over the spindle of your turntable and the single will then fit over the outside of the adapter. The adapter is very well made and the aluminium finish looks great with any modern turntable.
On sale at: Analogue Seduction
Price: £8
Contact: 01733 350878
Website: analogueseduction.net
Analogue Studio
Antistatic Velvet Pad Record Cleaning Brush and Stylus Brush
Static charge can accumulate very easily in a record and the act of playing it can generate more static under certain atmospheric conditions. Apart from generating annoying clicks and buzzes when the static discharges during playing, the static will also attract dust from the atmosphere. One of the great things about dry record cleaners is that they can be used routinely before and after every playing to help combat this. Both the pad and the brush work a treat on this Analogue Studio set, making it a worthwhile accessory to be used each time you play a record.
On sale at: Analogue Seduction
Price: £9
Contact: 01733 350878
Website: analogueseduction.net
Analogue Works
Turntable Spirit Level
There are many adjustments required to set up a precision instrument like a record deck, including ensuring that it is perfectly level. If the turntable is not level, the force of gravity acting on the stylus will not be exactly perpendicular to the playing surface. This will affect a number of factors, including channel balance, trackability and the bias (anti-skating) setting of the tonearm. The best way to set the level is to use a spirit level on the platter of the turntable before the tonearm and cartridge are set up.
If you use a conventional spirit level on the edge of a suspended platter, its weight could upset the balance, resulting in an erroneous reading. The best method is to use a spirit level specifically designed for use on turntables that fits over the centre spindle, and the Turntable Spirit Level from Analogue Works does just this. It measures 95mm x 15mm x 50mm (WxHxD) and the fluorescent green liquid in the levels enables the bubbles to be very clearly seen.
On sale at: Analogue Works
Price: £25
Contact: 01536 762211
Website: divineaudio.co.uk
Oyaide
BR-12 Turntable Mat
The BR-12 is a one-piece solid mat of 294mm diameter and 5mm thickness, weighing in at 385g. It is made from butyl rubber with tungsten mixed into the composition. The addition of tungsten, which has almost the same specific weight as gold, is claimed to reduce the amount of unwanted vibrations being transmitted to the record. The mat tapers by 1° from the centre hole to the edge to help correct the adverse effects of record warping.
The butyl rubber construction of the BR-12 has a very high friction coefficient, which will enhance the adhesion with the vinyl surface and will therefore ensure a more stable rotation of the record as a result. For checking the turntable speed, the BR-12 is supplied with a superb large stroboscope disk, which includes a cartridge overhang gauge in the centre. The BR-12 certainly cleans up the sound and brings greater clarity to recordings.
On sale at: Analogue Seduction
Price: £90
Contact: 01733 350878
Website: analogueseduction.net
Soundeck
Damping Puck
Record clamps or pucks for turntables can fulfil a number of useful functions, such as helping keep records flat during playback. They can also reduce the possibility of sudden speed changes caused by the record slipping on the turntable while playing.
This puck is 80mm in diameter so it fits inside the record label. It is 40mm high and weighs in at 745 grams. It's made from non-magnetic stainless steel in two parts then bonded with proprietary noise absorbing polymers. As well as adding mass, the Soundeck Damping Puck incorporates a constrained layer which is designed to dampen internal resonances of the record by converting vibrational energy into negligible amounts of heat with the aim of reducing sonic colouration. We found it brings a noticeable improvement to stereo imaging while clarity throughout the frequecy range is improved.
On sale at: Soundeck
Price: £90
Contact: 0191 2590700
Website: soundeck.co.uk
Soundeck
PM Platter Mat
The mat is made from a special noise-absorbing steel that is constructed according to the principles of constrained layer damping, which was developed by British Steel in the 1990s. This Sound Damped Steel (SDS) is non-magnetic and designed to convert unwanted vibrational energy into negligible amounts of heat in order to allow your stylus to process the information in the groove without interference from feedback and rumble. The mat comes in three sizes: a standard size of 295mm diameter, 293mm diameter to suit Linn Sondecks, Axis and Basic turntables, and 285mm diameter for compatibility with most Technics decks.
It certainly delivers on sound quality. Vocals have an improved presence and clarity. Bass response, as exemplified with some techno music, has also improved with great punch and better clarity. Strings seem brighter, but without being edgy or harsh and all instruments have more precise positioning within the soundstage.
On sale at: Soundeck
Price: £90
Contact: 0191 2590700
Website: soundeck.co.uk
The Vinyl Adventure
Carbon Fibre Record Brush
This no-nonsense brush cleaner that is made from carbon fibre bristles. The bristles are both soft and very fine so that they can reach down into the innermost part of the groove to lift out particles of dust and dirt. The brush is fitted with a pivoting brush guard that will protect the delicate fibres when not in use. Being made from carbon fibre, the bristles will conduct any static charges from the record and also stop the generation of static brought about by the act of wiping the surface of the LP with the brush. This brush is something to have permanently sitting next to your record deck for convenient use each time a record is slipped onto the turntable.
On sale at: The Vinyl Adventure
Price: £6.95
Contact: 07908 056978
Website: thevinyladventure.com
The Vinyl Adventure
Turntable Bubble Levels
Misalignment of a tonearm headshell can give rise to azimuth errors resulting from the stylus not sitting vertically in the groove. Furthermore, an angled turntable and plinth will cause gravity to pull the cartridge and arm to one side of the groove, which can result in mistracking of the cartridge. All these issues can prevent your record deck from performing at its best.
The best way to ensure that everything is on the level is to use spirit levels. This Turntable Bubble Levels pack contains three sizes of spirit level, all of which have a bright fluorescent green background so the bubble inside can easily been seen – a nice touch. The largest level is 30mm in diameter and is ideal for placing on the turntable platter as well as the plinth itself for adjusting the feet of the record deck. The middle-sized 15mm diameter level can be used in all those awkward places, such as a sub-plinth, or indeed it can be left discretely at the rear of the plinth to provide a constant check for level. Finally, the tiny level is only 8mm in diameter and can be placed on the headshell to help with setting up the azimuth. It only weighs 0.3 grams (yes, we did weigh it!) so it could actually be placed on the headshell while a record is being played as a final check. This is a great set of items to have in your turntable maintenance kit.
On sale at: The Vinyl Adventure
Price: £10
Contact: 07908 056978
Website: thevinyladventure.com
Inside this month's issue:
Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2 turntable, Advance Paris sub-£500 X-i50 BT integrated amp, DALI's stunning Rubikore standmount loudspeakers, Triangle Capella wireless active speakers, EAT's Fortissimo turntable with F-Note tonearm, our headphone Group Test and much, much more... |