STACK #189 Jul 2020

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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SETTING A RECORD

The great vinyl renaissance continues to gain momentum and it’s not hard to see why. In short, there isn’t a better way to enjoy music; the albums are pieces of handheld art to be scrutinised and admired and the sound infinitely better than compressed audio. Even the ritual of removing the record from the sleeve, placing it on the platter and dropping the needle into the groove is a satisfying process. Playing vinyl demands your full attention – it’s the complete sonic experience.

Alongside a good amp and a set of speakers, the other essential part of the vinyl equation is a turntable. The two most popular systems you’ll find in

Caring for your turntable

Belt-Drive As the name suggests, belt-driven turntables connect the platter (where you place the record) to the motor via an elastic belt. The advantage here is the belt acts as a buffer and absorbs vibrations from knocks to the surface where the unit sits or to the turntable itself, and it tends to be favoured by home hi-fi enthusiasts. The belt will need to be replaced eventually through wear and tear, and DJs avoid belt-driven because you can’t play records backwards. Direct Drive On a direct drive turntable, the platter is connected directly to the motor adding higher torque, which means it starts up faster than a belt-driven model. Along with the ability to spin a record in reverse, the fast start-up and variable speed pitch control on some models make them popular with DJs. Without the elastic belt component, direct drive turntables are also more reliable and certainly more durable. 2020 are what’s known as belt-driven and direct drive. But what is the difference? Allow us to elaborate...

Look for a secure platform to put your turntable on, away from consistent vibrations. There’s nothing worse than that crackle and fuzz when a dirty stylus skips and fumbles over your prized vinyl, so that’s the first thing that needs maintenance. Clean the stylus regularly with a carbon fibre brush designed specifically for the job, and for the sake of your prized record collection, change it after approximately 3,000 hours of use. Make sure you carefully calibrate your anti-skate counterweight to avoid unwanted damage to your records. If you hear your belt slipping when you start up your belt-driven turntable, it’s time to swap it out. Finally, always keep the dust cover down when your turntable isn’t in use.

But what sounds better?

Like anything in audio, sound quality is totally subjective. There are some who argue a belt- driven turntable’s ability to absorb vibration leads to a cleaner, more accurate sound representation. Conversely, if you’re chasing sound consistency that won’t deteriorate through excessive wear, direct drive could be what you’re looking for. Talk to friends and, most importantly, try to test out both belt and direct drive turntables before making a final decision.

Did You Know? The world’s first gramophone that played a flat disc made of shellac and rubber – and the forerunner to the modern turntable – was patented by Emile Berliner. Berliner also invented the microphone.

24 JULY 2020

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