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Parts of a Record Player
Learn the names and jobs of every main record player part, from plinth and platter to tonearm, cartridge and stylus, plus how belt and direct drive differ.
Record Players
Record Player Basics
5 guides, starting with Parts of a Record Player.
How a Record Player Plays Music
See how a record player turns grooves into sound: the spinning record, the stylus and cartridge, the phono preamp, the amplifier and the speakers.
Record Player History Timeline: From Phonograph to Turntable
Follow the record player from the 1857 phonautograph and Edison's 1877 phonograph through shellac 78s, the LP and 45, stereo, and today's vinyl revival.
What Is a Stylus on a Record Player and What Does It Do?
A stylus is the tiny tip that rides the groove of a record. Learn what it does, how it differs from the needle and cartridge, its shapes, lifespan and care.
What Record Player Needles Are Made Of
Most modern record player needles have a diamond tip on a small cantilever. Learn about tip and cantilever materials, older steel needles and wear.
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