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Why Music Enthusiasts Can't Live Without It      

Here at Audiolab, we get customers from all walks of life. Some wouldn’t consider a turntable and some couldn't live without one. But there's something about vinyl most people can't put into words. We'll give it our best shot.

The Signal Path: Understanding How We Hear Music 

Let's start with the basics. "Signal path" is the journey audio takes from its source to your ears. It begins with the source (vinyl record, CD, digital file), travels through cables into a preamp, then to an amplifier, through more cables, and finally to your speakers or headphones.

Sound, in its essence, is a fluctuation of electrical signals. With vinyl, these fluctuations are physical grooves on a record. The stylus (needle) “rides” those grooves and the cartridge components convert it into an electrical signal. With digital formats like CDs or streaming, it's ones and zeros. The ultimate goal of any audio system is to reproduce music with as little "noise" as possible, to hear it as the artist intended.

This is where the vinyl paradox comes in: it's technically the noisiest medium of them all, yet many audiophiles find it the most satisfying. This pursuit of clean sound from vinyl is why you'll see turntables priced upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

But here's the good news! You don't need to spend a fortune to get amazing sound from vinyl. At Audiolab, we have turntables and all the accessories to fit any budget, and most listeners won't even notice the "noise" that audiophiles often discuss.

Our Turntable Selection: Quality at Every Price Point

At Audiolab, we're proud to offer some of the finest turntables on the market. Our carefully curated selection includes renowned brands such as:

Rega: Known for their minimalist design philosophy and exceptional build quality, Rega turntables deliver outstanding performance with their simple yet effective engineering.

Pro-Ject: These Austrian-made turntables combine sleek European design with audiophile-grade components, offering excellent value across various price points.

Technics: The legendary brand that created the iconic SL-1200 series, Technics continues to produce turntables that blend reliability, precision engineering, and superb sound quality. Audio-Technica: Offering exceptional value and performance, Audio-Technica turntables are perfect for both newcomers and experienced vinyl enthusiasts, with features that punch well above their price points.

MoFi (Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab): Better known for their audiophile-grade record pressings, MoFi's turntables are designed with the same attention to detail and sound purity as their acclaimed vinyl releases.

Dual: With a rich heritage dating back to 1900, Dual turntables combine German engineering precision with classic design and dependable performance.

Whether you're just starting your vinyl journey or looking to upgrade to a reference-quality system, we have the perfect turntable to match any need and budget. Our staff can help you select the right model and guide you through the setup process to ensure you get the best possible sound from your investment.

The Vinyl Difference: More Than Just Sound

Many vinyl enthusiasts suggest that digital music has gaps between the ones and zeros, while the grooves in a record create a fluid, continuous sound. Just as an illustration. However, there are DACs (digital to analog converters) for digital music to smooth out those gaps but that’s a topic for a separate blog. The contrast between digital and vinyl is indeed striking. But vinyl's appeal goes beyond just sound quality.

The Physical Experience

Holding an album sleeve is a significant part of the vinyl appeal. The artwork and lyrics have a massive presence that digital thumbnails can't replicate. There's something profoundly satisfying about physically holding the creative work that went into the message or story the artist wants to convey.

Take Jimi Hendrix's "Axis Bold as Love" with its stunning colors and illustrations. The impact of that full-size gatefold artwork simply can't be matched by a small image on a phone screen. We are always expanding our record selection!

The Indescribable Sound

At the end of the day, sound is what really matters. Many vinyl enthusiasts describe experiencing a "liquid" quality to the music—smooth, fluid, and entirely unique. This sensation is the difference that keeps people coming back to vinyl. It's difficult to put into words, but once experienced, it's understood.

Down the Rabbit Hole: Refining Your Vinyl Setup

The vinyl adventure is endless. Every element in the signal chain affects how the music sounds:

• Cartridges: For budget-minded audiophiles, the Ortofon Red is a bullseye for cost and sound quality. But the range of options is vast.
• Turntable components: The tonearm, platter, RCA wires, chassis, and feet all impact sound.
• Phono preamps: Interchanging preamps can dramatically alter your listening experience.

Record Care: Can’t forget about taking care of your records. Anti-static record brushes, record washer systems, and even vacuum record cleaning machines are just some of the ways you keep your vinyl records sounding great.

The fun really begins when experimenting with different components. Cartridges and preamps have the most significant impact on sound, and trying different combinations can transform the vinyl experience.

We at Audiolab are more than happy to guide you through this seemingly deep and vast labyrinth of vinyl. We carry everything you need—from records to players, wires, and more—to help you discover why so many enthusiasts simply can't live without vinyl.

Visit Audiolab: Start or Upgrade Your Vinyl Journey

Whether you're looking to dive into vinyl for the first time or elevate your existing setup, we invite you to visit us at Audiolab. Our knowledgeable staff can answer your questions, demonstrate equipment, and help you build a system that brings your music to life in ways digital simply can't match.

Drop by our showroom to experience these incredible turntables in person and hear what you've been missing. Your perfect vinyl experience awaits!

Also check out THIS VIDEO showing the importance a cartridge is in a turntable setup. We also carry Ortofon. And many other cartridges. We’ll continue this blog with more turntable, vinyl, and turntable accessory fun! Stay tuned!