Ortofon 2M Blue Moving Magnet Cartridge – This is what I replaced the stock stylus / cartridge with on my Audio Technica LP-1240USBXP turntable. The improvement in sound was astonishing. It’s on the pricey side, but if you can swing it, it’s definitely worth the upgrade if sound quality is important to you.
Morley Hum Exterminator – After setting up the LP-1240USBXP, I noticed there was a 60hz hum, even after attaching the ground wire. After some research, I found this device for sale. The idea is that you plug the Hum Exterminator into the wall socket (or “mains” for those of you not in America!), and then the turntable into the Hum Exterminator. In my case, I didn’t even need to connect the turntable into the Exterminator — I kept it plugged into a power strip — because the Hum Exterminator itself killed the hum! (I later figured out that the wall socket plate was loose; tightening that up with a screwdriver helped, eliminating the need for the Exterminator.)
Audio Technica AT618a Disc Stabilizer – Often times you might want to put a weight on your record to reduce vibrations during playback and ergo improve sound quality, and also to make sure the record lies flat on the turntable platter. Some audiophiles report that doing so also improves the bass response, but to my fussy ears, I can’t tell the difference! However, it does help when records have a slight bowl effect that don’t allow them to lie perfectly flat. There are many options out there for disc stabilizers / clamps / pucks / etc.; I don’t recommend one over the other – this is simply the one that I use.
