Best Vinyl Accessories for Newbies: Get Your Set Up Just Right

Beginning your vinyl journey is an exciting way to start listening to music in its purest analog form. Although having a good turntable and cartridge is crucial, proper accessories are just as vital. These enhance your sound, help your records last longer, and make your vinyl journey easier.

This guide to vinyl accessories for beginners is fully stocked with useful suggestions and informative internal links to your go-to destination for all things analog at Elusive Disc.

1. Record Cleaning Brush

Your first line of protection against dust and static is a record cleaning brush. A swipe of your carbon fiber brush before each play will help guard your stylus and keep your sound clear.

Recommended Product:

Mobile Fidelity Record Brush

Why You Need It:

Maintains clean records and minimizes pops and clicks during playback
Protects your stylus from premature wear
Avoids the accumulation of dust by preventing static buildup

2. Anti-Static Inner Sleeves

Paper sleeves accompanying most records tend to scratch the record's surface and leave residue. Anti-static inner sleeves ensure safe storage and long-term preservation of your LPs.

Recommended Product:

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Original Master Sleeves

Why You Need It:

It removes static charging, attracting dust
Averts scratches due to rough paper sleeves
Maintains records in an archived form for years to come

3. Stylus Cleaner

A spotless record can still leave your stylus with residue. Stylus cleaner wipes clean your cartridge to keep it sounding its best by removing accumulations of deposits that degrade tracking and sound clarity.

Recommended Product:

Onzow Zerodust Stylus Cleaner

Why You Need It:

Improves sound clarity and minimizes distortion
Prolongs STYLUS life by cleaning out damaging debris
Simple to operate and safe for novices, does not require liquids

4. Record Cleaning Kit or Machine

A record cleaning system is needed to clean used records or dusty records deeply. Either manual kits or machines extract grime deep in the grooves.

Recommended Starter Kit:

Spin-Clean Record Washer MKII

Why You Need It:

Restores the sound quality on older records.
It removes mold, oil, and dirt from deep within grooves.
Increases both record and stylus life.

5. Turntable Mat

A quality turntable mat isolates your record from motor vibrations and prevents static buildup. It enhances sound clarity and tracking stability as well.

Recommended Product:

Herbie’s Audio Lab Way Excellent II Turntable Mat

Why You Need It:

Decreases resonance and enhances tonal balance
It keeps records from moving during playback
Improves bass response and overall soundstage

6. Turntable spirit level or Bubble Level

To achieve the best tracking and playback accuracy, your turntable must be placed upon an even surface. A bubble level helps your stylus ride in grooves uniformly.

Recommended Product:

Turntable Spirit Level Tool

Why You Need It:

Maintains balanced tonearm pressure on the record
Averts tracking problems resulting in distortion
Offers protection against uneven wear on vinyl and stylus

7. Record Weight or Clamp

Some records, particularly older records, do not lie flat on the platter. A record clamp or record weight presses the record flat and enhances stability while it's being played.

Recommended Product:

Clearaudio Perfect Clamp

Why You Need It:

Enhances tracking and bass response through maintaining even contact
Eliminates wow and flutter produced by record warps
Reduces vibrations that tend to muddle the sound

8. Cartridge Alignment Tool

A well-aligned cartridge guarantees the best possible performance of the stylus and protects against groove abuse. A cartridge alignment protractor aligns the setup to be accurate and facile for novices.

Recommended Tool:

Turntable Cartridge Alignment Protractor

Why You Need it:

Decreases distortion, in particular in inner grooves
Assists in obtaining the full potential from your cartridge
A must for stylus replacement or cartridge upgrades

9. Outer Record Jackets

Protecting your record's cover art is equally vital as safeguarding the vinyl. Outer jackets protect from shelf wear, fading, and dust.

Recommended Product:

Mobile Fidelity Outer Record Sleeves

Why You Need It:

Maintains album cover art clean, crisp, and collectible
Helps to delay ring wear and eventual scuffing
Ideal for long-term storage or showing cherished LPs

10. Record Storage Solutions

Proper vinyl storage is not just for looks; it keeps records from warping and makes it easier to scan through your collection. Keep records stored vertically in an air-conditioned room.

Recommended Product:

Record Crates and Storage Options

Why You Need It:

It prevents warping due to stacking or leaning.
Organizes your collection for ease of use
Adding decorative elements to your listening area.

In conclusion

For newcomers to vinyl, investing in the proper vinyl accessories is just as crucial as the turntable itself. Everything from everyday care equipment, such as brushes and stylus cleaners, to setup equipment and protective sleeve shields your investment and enhances the vinyl experience from day one.

You can get all of these must-have accessories and more at Elusive Disc, where audiophiles rely on the quality, selection, and customer service. Begin your vinyl experience on the right note and get your records sounding the way they're supposed to.