Are you already enjoying the warm, rich sound of vinyl through your turntable setup? That's brilliant!
While your current system might already be bringing you joy, a few simple upgrades can dramatically transform your listening experience, revealing sonic details and emotional depths in your favourite records that you never knew existed.
The beauty of turntable upgrades is that they don't require a complete system overhaul or enormous budget. Instead, these targeted improvements can work with your existing setup to elevate performance incrementally.
Whether you're working with a modest budget or ready to invest a bit more, these five upgrades offer something for every vinyl enthusiast looking to take their listening experience to the next level.
1. Replace Your Stylus
The stylus (often called the needle) is quite literally where the rubber meets the road in vinyl playback, it's the only component that physically touches your precious records.
This tiny but crucial element traces the intricate grooves in your vinyl, translating physical information into electrical signals that become the music you hear.
How do you know when it's time for a replacement?
Most manufacturers recommend changing your stylus after 800-1,000 hours of playing time.
However, there are other telltale signs: if you're experiencing distortion, excessive surface noise, or frequent skipping, your stylus might be worn down. Another visual clue is any noticeable asymmetry in the stylus tip when examined under magnification.
Upgrading your stylus offers numerous benefits beyond simply replacing a worn part:
- Improved tracking accuracy means the stylus follows record grooves more precisely, reducing distortion
- Reduced record wear helps preserve your vinyl collection for years to come
- Enhanced detail retrieval reveals nuances in recordings you may have never heard before
Stylus upgrades range from budget-friendly options starting around £25, which can offer noticeable improvements over stock styli, to mid-range options (£50-£150) that provide substantial sonic benefits.
For those ready to invest more, premium styli (£150+) can dramatically transform your listening experience with exceptional clarity and detail.
The most popular turntables are using the Audio-Technica ATN3600L or the VM95E series cartridges.
If you have the ATN3600L then your upgrade option is the ATN3600LE elliptical stylus for just £25.
If you have the VM95E cartridge then you have lots more options from the VMN95E elliptical for £30 to the VMN95SH Shibata at £160
Read More: How Long Does A Turntable Stylus Last?
2. Replace Your Cartridge
While replacing just the stylus offers significant benefits, upgrading your entire cartridge takes things several steps further.
The turntable cartridge houses the stylus and contains the mechanism that converts physical vibrations into electrical signals, essentially serving as the heart of your turntable's sound.
A cartridge upgrade differs from a stylus replacement in that you're changing the entire transducer system, not just the wear item.
This comprehensive change can dramatically alter your system's sonic signature, offering benefits including:
- A wider, more three-dimensional soundstage
- Improved dynamics, with better contrast between quiet and loud passages
- More accurate tonal balance across the frequency spectrum
- Potentially lower tracking force, reducing record wear
When considering a cartridge upgrade, compatibility with your turntable is paramount.
You'll need to consider:
- Mounting Type: Does your tonearm require a standard half-inch mount or do you have a detachable head shell?
- Tracking Force Range: Can your tonearm accommodate the recommended tracking force of the new cartridge?
- Cartridge Weight: Heavier cartridges may require counterweight adjustments or replacements
Taking the time to ensure compatibility will prevent disappointment and potential damage to your equipment or records.
The most common upgrade path for our customers is to upgrade to an Ortofon or Goldring cartridge.
If you have a detachable headshell you can look at the plug & play Concorde series which allows you to simply detach your existing cartridge and install the new upgraded cartridge.
I have an Audio-Technica LP3XBT and swapped out the VM95 series cartridge for the new Ortofon Concorde 5E cartridge, it’s a great and simple upgrade for just £75. Coupled with a Phono Box MM it completely transforms the turntable.
3. Upgrade Your Pre-Amplifier
The phono turntable pre-amplifier might be the unsung hero of your turntable setup.
This crucial component amplifies the tiny electrical signal from your cartridge and applies the RIAA equalisation curve that's necessary for proper vinyl playback.
Many entry-level turntables come with built-in preamps, and while these are convenient, they often represent a significant compromise in sound quality.
Signs that your built-in preamp might be limiting your sound include:
- Thin or weak bass response
- Compressed or constricted dynamics
- Audible noise or hum during quiet passages
- Overall lack of detail and clarity
- Lower volume levels
A dedicated external phono preamp can address these issues while offering several advantages:
- Improved signal-to-noise ratio for a cleaner, more detailed sound
- Better RIAA equalisation accuracy for more natural tonal balance
- Adjustable gain settings to optimally match your specific cartridge
- Proper impedance matching to get the best performance from your cartridge
Many vinyl enthusiasts report that a quality phono preamp upgrade provides one of the most dramatic improvements in their system's sound quality, often revealing details and nuances in familiar records that they'd never heard before.
Adding a Pro-Ject Phono Box MM between your turntable and amplifier/speakers for just £75 will provide more clarity and a bit more volume. Worth every penny!
4. Clean Your Records
While not a component upgrade per se, implementing proper vinyl record cleaning practices might be the most cost-effective improvement you can make to your vinyl playback system.
Even visually clean records can harbour microscopic dust and debris that affect sound quality and accelerate wear on both your records and stylus.
Dust and debris impact your listening experience in several ways:
- Surface noise – those pops and crackles that interrupt quiet passages
- Reduced high-frequency detail as tiny particles mask the finest groove modulations
- Accelerated wear of both records and stylus as particles act like abrasive compounds
Cleaning methods range from basic to advanced approaches:
Basic cleaning tools include:
- Anti-static carbon fibre brushes for routine pre-play dust removal
- Microfibre cloths for gentle wiping
- Stylus cleaning gels or brushes for keeping your needle pristine
Intermediate solutions involve:
- Record cleaning solutions specifically formulated for vinyl
- Manual cleaning devices like roller cleaners
- Stylus pressure gauges to ensure proper tracking force
Advanced methods include:
- Ultrasonic record cleaning machines
- Vacuum-based cleaning systems
- Multi-step cleaning regimens using specialised solutions
Investing in even basic cleaning tools and developing a regular maintenance routine can dramatically improve sound quality while extending the life of both your records and equipment.
Read More: How To Clean Vinyl Records
5. Upgrade Your Speakers
While every component in your audio chain matters, speakers perhaps make the most dramatic difference in your overall sound quality.
They're the final link in translating those electrical signals back into the sound waves that reach your ears, and limitations here can negate improvements made elsewhere in your system.
You can upgrade your turntable in multiple ways, but at the end of the day the easiest and most significant increase to sound quality will be from upgrading your speakers.
Several speaker types pair particularly well with turntables:
- Bookshelf speakers offer excellent value and work well in smaller spaces
- Floor-standing speakers provide fuller bass response and often greater dynamic range
- Near-field monitors deliver precise imaging and detail for close listening
- Vintage speakers can complement the warm character of vinyl with their own classic sound signature
Space considerations significantly impact speaker performance. Even excellent speakers will underperform if poorly positioned.
Some basic placement principles include:
- Position speakers at ear level when seated in your listening position
- Maintain equal distance from each speaker to your listening position (forming an equilateral triangle)
- Keep speakers away from walls and corners to reduce unwanted bass resonances
- Experiment with toe-in angle (pointing speakers slightly toward your listening position)
Understanding the distinction between active and passive speakers is also important:
Active bookshelf speakers have built-in amplification, requiring only a source connection. They're convenient for simpler setups but offer less flexibility for future upgrades.
Passive bookshelf speakers require an external amplifier. While adding complexity, this approach allows more customisation and potentially better sonic matching between components.
Our most popular turntable speakers are the Edifier R1280DB, they are a great quality speaker at a fairly low price point, they’re exceptional value for money.
But… there are significantly better active speakers out there for not a lot more money, so if you want a serious sound upgrade on a budget then take a look at the following options:
Read More: The Best Active Bookshelf Speakers
Bringing It All Together
Each of these five upgrades contributes to a better vinyl listening experience, but they work synergistically when implemented together.
The clean signal path begins with a well-maintained record, travels through a quality stylus and cartridge, gets properly amplified by a dedicated phono preamp, and finally reaches your ears through speakers that faithfully reproduce the recorded sound.
The beautiful thing about these upgrades is that you needn't implement them all at once.
Start with what your budget allows, perhaps a new stylus and basic record cleaning supplies, and progress as your resources permit.
Each step will bring noticeable improvements that make your favourite records sound better than ever.
Remember that even a single upgrade can make a remarkable difference in your listening experience.
The journey of refining your audio system is rewarding in itself, as each improvement helps you discover new depths in the music you love. Happy listening!
