Turntables, Tonearms and Cartridges
How is it possible in this day and age of constant technological advances and media format upheavals that the “ancient” format know as the LP record (aka, “vinyl”) has outlived its replacement the Compact Disc and is still considered one of the most satisfying ways to play back recorded music? Well, maybe, just maybe, Thomas Edison and other vinyl playback pioneers were on to something over a century ago. And, perhaps there is something in the statement that “Vinyl sounds more natural.” We at The Audio Shoppe refuse to take sides: music is what we are most interested in, regardless of what format it’s played back within. We are happy to point out that, like the latest digital playback advances, LP record playback (turntables, tonearms, cartridges) has been able to use advancements in computer aided design and precision manufacturing to its favor. Add a record cleaner to the equation and you have the end result: your vinyl has never sounded so good! And, right now there is more great new vinyl and tons of the used stuff to satisfy your musical needs. That all being said, The Audio Shoppe will admit that being a physical playback medium, analog does require that certain conditions be satisfied for the sound to be “right.” We’ll help you get there. It’s what we do.
AnalogueWorks is a small team of music lovers based in Northamptonshire, England. They create affordable, usable, musical and beautiful turntables using low torque motors, sound engineering practices, common sense, careful listening and a marriage of materials. All of the AnalogueWorks turntables are lovingly hand made and tested in England, thus ensuring you years of trouble free musical enjoyment. And when combined with one of the fine tonearms we represent, The Audio Shoppe is proud to be North America’s first AnalogueWorks specialist and knows these exceptionally good English turntables inside and out. Give us a call or contact us to start the conversation.
Germany’s TW Acustic designs and manufactures turntables that are counted amongst the finest in the world. For some the best is all that will do. TW Acustic turntables, while a sizable investment, can be easily hold their own against any turntable regardless of their lofty prices. For those who appreciate system “synergy,” TW Acustic’s ultra high performance turntables are also complimented by an elegant, high performance tonearm and a state-of-the-art phono preamplifier. The Audio Shoppe can show your eyes and ears why TW Acustic might be the turntable for your system and possibly the last turntable you’ll ever need. Give us a call or contact us to start the conversation.
From their most affordable 2M Red up to their ultra high performance MC Anna, Ortofon has a cartridge for nearly every music lover. Combining the excellence of an Ortofon cartridge with the expert setup of The Audio Shoppe will bring new life to your LP collection. Ultra high performance cartridges such as the Ortofon moving coils and moving magnets especially demand the skill, patience, and experience of a seasoned professional to allow them to achieve what they are capable of on your turntable. In concert with our service and value philosphy, even if you’re considering one of the excellent, entry level 2M series, our expert cartridge installation service will make a difference to your enjoyment. No matter how much you invest in analog, setup is critical and we want you to be happy with the sound you are getting. Plus, we’ve listened to nearly all the Ortofon cartridges as well many other brands we represent and do not represent: our ears can help your ears decide what’s right for you. Give us a call or contact us to start the conversation.
Dynavector is highly regarded as a manufacturer of high performance moving coil cartridges. Their unique designs are based on advanced theory and an equally unique production technology. Combining the excellence of a Dynavector cartridge with the expert setup of The Audio Shoppe will bring new life to your LP collection. Ultra high performance cartridges such as Dynavector especially demand the skill, patience, and experience of a seasoned professional to allow them to achieve what they are capable of on your turntable. Plus, we’ve listened to nearly all the Dynavector cartridges as well many other brands we represent and do not represent: our ears can help your ears decide what’s right for you. Give us a call or contact us to start the conversation.
Goldring has developed a reputation as one of the world’s leading cartridge manufacturers. Established in 1906, only three years after the Wright brothers’ historic first flight, Goldring has been bringing the joy of great analog music playback into people’s homes for over 100 years. The Audio Shoppe is proud to offer Goldring’s high performance yet always remarkably affordable cartridges. Add the exceptional Goldring value to our services that ensure they are properly installed on your turntable and you have a win win, or perhaps we might say “spin win”? Give us a call or contact us to start the conversation.
Lyra’s mission is to create long lasting products that combine original thinking, advanced engineering, and ideal materials application. Lyra’s cartridges are built 100% from the ground up in Japan, with the artisanal craftsmanship that Japan is revered for. The result is a family of transducers that extract an unprecedented level of revealed texture, transparency, and dynamic contrast from an analog music collection, ensuring maximum immersion and emotional involvement in the music. Combining the excellence of a Lyra cartridge with the expert setup of The Audio Shoppe will bring new life to your LP collection. Ultra high performance cartridges such as Lyra especially demand the skill, patience, and experience of a seasoned professional to allow them to achieve what they are capable of on your turntable. Plus, we’ve listened to nearly all the Lyra cartridges as well many other brands we represent and do not represent: our ears can help your ears decide what’s right for you. Give us a call or contact us to start the conversation.
Jelco tonearms are a division of Japan’s Jelco-Ichikawa Jewel Company. This makes sense give the critical precision bearings of a tonearm or “pickup wand” require accuracy only a jeweler’s hand can provide. Jelco is able to use their expertise to bring both performance and high value to the equation which forms their tonearms, which are offered on many of the fine turntables in the high end audio world including our beloved AnalogueWorks ‘tables. They also make fine quality tonearm cables, replacement headshells, and even a nice record clamp. Give us a call or contact us to start the conversation.
SME is an English precision technology company who happens to also make arguably one of the highest quality and best known series of tonearms on the planet. Your cartridge is “in safe and capable hands” with any and all SME tonearms. In fact, The Audio Shoppe’s preferred tonearm for the top of the line AnalogueWorks TT2 turntable is an SME. And, industry-wide the SME ‘arms are preferred for many fine turntables. Are they right for your ‘table? Give us a call and we’ll be able to determine which model might be best to complete your “analog rig.” The Audio Shoppe provides the skill, expertise, and experience to ensure that your SME tonearm performs optimally with your turntable. Give us a call or contact us to start the conversation.
One of the most advanced tonearms found anywhere is made right here in Massachusetts at Graham Engineering. Never satisfied with the countless accolades he’s received for his tonearms over the years, designer Bob Graham continues pushing the state-of-the-art with his tonearm design known as The Graham Phantom. The Audio Shoppe has been working with Graham tonearms for many years and has the expertise to ensure these technologically-advanced tonearms are properly installed on your turntable and therefore reach the level of musical performance your cartridge, the Graham tonearm, and your turntable are capable of achieving. If you’re thinking about a new tonearm, call us first to talk about Graham Engineering. Give us a call or contact us to start the conversation.