Over the past several months CE Pro has taken deep dives into the home audio market, and more specifically analog audio and turntables. Wrapping up our look at the thriving analog audio category, it is time to check out some of the latest turntable accessories that keep those records reliably spinning.
Unlike CD players and for those that prefer modern components like streamers that are basically set and forget components—turntables provide music lovers with just about a blank slate of modification possibilities. Much like Edward Van Halen “modding” his famous Frankenstein guitar to his personal preferences, turntable junkies can “mod” their tables to their exact desires.
Edward Van Halen on the cover of the debut Van Halen record, holding his famous “Frankenstein” guitar. (photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro)
These turntables modifications can target everything from basic items like changing out record mats and adding a record clamp, to more advanced “mods” that include swapping out tonearms, tonearm cables or phono cartridges.
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Another area of turntable accessories that are important are the tools and cleaning products that are necessary to maintain good, reliable performance. These products include stylus gauges and phono cartridge alignment devices, as well as record brushes and record cleaning machines.
Must-Have Turntable Accessories for Analog Enthusiasts
Examining the latest turntable accessories, here are 25 products that support the fun of spinning vinyl:
- VPI HW-16.5 record cleaning machine
- Record Doctor V
- Pro-Ject VC-E2
- Spin-Clean Record Washer Complete Kit
- Record Doctor Stylus Cleaning Fluid with Brush
- AudioQuest Silver Anti-Static Record Clean Brush
- Spin Clean 16-ounce bottle of Washer Fluid
- Mobile Fidelity Sound record sleeves
- Record Doctor Record Clamp (low-profile)
- VPI Standard Delrin Record Clamp
- Pro-Ject Cork it Platter Mat
- Ortofon SM-101 Cord Record Mat
- Ortofon Standard 2-Point Alignment Tool for cartridge alignment
- Ortofon Balance Type Stylus Gauge
- Cardas Audio Frequency Sweep and Burn-In Record MKII record
- Wireworld Luna 10 Tonearm Cable
- AudioQuest HL-5 Tonearm Headshell Leads
- Straight Wire Virtuoso R2 Tonearm Cable with Ground Wire
- IsoAcoustics ZaZen Series Turntable Platform
- Rega RB330 Tonearm
- VPI MMW-9 Unipivot Tonearm
- Ortofon 2M Black LVB MM phono cartridge
- Audio-Technica VM740ML MM phono cartridge
- Dynavector 10×5 Mk2 MC phono cartridge
- Denon DL-301 II MC phono cartridge
Record Cleaning Machines and Maintenance Products
VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine (MSRP $1,200)
N.J.-based VPI is a go-to audiophile brand and the company’s HW-16.5 is designed to clean records at a high level through features such as an 18-RPM motor that’s designed to withstand the rigors of heavy record scrubbing.
Record Doctor V (MSRP $299.99) (Pangea Audio Distributing represents Record Doctor in the U.S.)
The reasonably priced Record Doctor V utilizes a vacuum-cleaning approach, which the company says is the best way to clean and take care of records. The solution incorporates protective felt cleaning strips as part of its vacuum-cleaning system, and it operates manually, meaning vinyl enthusiasts hand turn records during the cleaning process.
Pro-Ject VC-E2 (MSRP $549)
Pro-Ject is a popular manufacturer of turntables and turntable accessories, and the company’s VC-E2 record cleaner utilizes a vacuum system to clean records. The VC-E2 employs a magnetic clamp to secure records while the records are automatically spun.
Spin-Clean Record Washer Complete Kit (MSRP $79.99)
The affordable Spin Clean record cleaning product features a plastic basin that users fill with the company’s cleaning solution and distilled water. Inside the basin is the company’s roller and brush system that allows users to manually spin their records to clean both sides of their records simultaneously.
Spin Clean offers several bundle versions of its record cleaning product. (photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro)
Record Doctor Stylus Cleaning Fluid with Brush (MSRP $12.95)
This affordable stylus cleaner allows record fanatics to clean the other piece of the analog audio equation to support high levels of turntable maintenance.
AudioQuest Silver Anti-Static Record Clean Brush (MSRP $19.95)
Another of the overlooked turntable accessories are record cleaning brushes. AudioQuest offers a range of cabling, power and digital products, along with its vinyl gear. The company’s Anti-Static Brush is designed to ensure static buildup is properly discharged.
Spin Clean 16-ounce Bottle Washer Fluid (MSRP $19.99)
Supporting Spin Clean’s record cleaning products, as well as other solutions on the market, the company’s 16-ounce bottle of Washer Fluid can be used to clean up to 2,800 records.
Record Clamps, Mats and Setup Tools
Record Doctor Record Clamp (low-profile) (MSRP $39.95)
Designed for turntables with tight-fitting dust covers, this record clamp provides a low profile to fit underneath these styles of dust covers. The clamp features a textured stainless-steel knob that tightens a carbon-based mechanism that secures to a turntable’s spindle.
VPI Standard Delrin Record Clamp (MSRP $125)
In addition to its line of turntables, VPI also offers a choice of turntable accessories, including its Delrin Record Clamp. The company says the clamp effectively minimizes external vibrations from affecting the performance of a turntable’s stylus.
Pro-Ject Cork it Platter Mat (MSRP $35)
One of the most widely known turntable accessories are aftermarket mats. Pro-Ject’s combination mat material offers vinyl lovers a solution that stops slippage; it minimizes static, and it also minimizes vibrations. The mat is 1mm thick and it measures 11 13/16th.
Ortofon SM-101 Cord Record Mat (MSRP $35)
The competitively priced Ortofon cork mat utilizes a multilayer cork construction to reduce vibration, and the mat is said to be an improvement over standard rubber record mats.
Ortofon Standard 2-Point Alignment Tool for cartridge alignment (MSRP $12)
Part of the fun for serious vinyl enthusiasts is setting their turntables up. For a minimal investment the Ortofon Cartridge Alignment Tool offers users a straight-forward design to help facilitate the alignment process.
Ortofon Balance Type Stylus Gauge (MSRP $15)
Ortofon makes a variety of turntable accessories, including its Balance Type Stylus Gauge. Vinyl users can use this tool to determine stylus tracking force, and the company says this gauge measures tracking forces ranging from 1.25 grams to 4 grams.
Cardas Audio Frequency Sweep and Burn-In Record MKII record (MSRP $24.95)
For some audiophiles the idea of “burn-in” may be controversial but for others it is an essential part of the setup process. Not only does this Cardas test record include a full range of frequency sweeps to expedite the burn-in process, but it also provides test tones for polarity checks and channel identification.
A common turntable accessory for many vinyl lovers are record clamps. (photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro)
Turntable Accessories: Cables and Isolation Products
Wireworld Luna 10 Tonearm Cable (MSRP $180)
The Luna 10 is said to represent an advancement in affordable turntable cable solutions for music fans. WireWorld points out the Luna 10 utilizes its DNA HELIX design, as well as OFC conductors and COMPOSILEX 5 insulation.
AudioQuest HL-5 Tonearm Headshell Leads (MSRP $69.95)
AudioQuest created its HL-5 Tonearm headshell cables to replace standard headshell cables. The color-coded replacement turntable accessories feature its LC-OFC conductors, along with silk-wrapped outer sheathing, and gold-plated connectors.
Straight Wire Virtuoso R2 Tonearm Cable with Ground Wire (MSRP $600)
Straight Wire is a high-performance connectivity company and the company’s Virtuoso R2 Tonearm cable was developed using computer controlled tensioning devices to help achieve uniformly consistent cable performance.
IsoAcoustics ZaZen Series Turntable Platform (MSRP $229.99)
IsoAcoustics offers a range of insulation products and the company’s ZaZen Turntable Platform is designed to isolate turntables from the harmful effect of vibrations. The product incorporates a 1.5-inch-thick fiber platform that measures 17-inches wide x 1.5-inches high x 15-inches deep. The product also includes the company’s popular isolator feet.
Tonearms and Phono Cartridges
Rega RB330 Tonearm (MSRP $675)
Using computer aid and 35 years R&D experience, the RB330 features a new bearing housing and Rega’s latest tonearm tube. According to Rega its RB330 tonearm provides users with extreme stability and nearly friction-free movement.
VPI MMW-9 Unipivot Tonearm (MSRP $2,000)
Tonearms are a popular solution as turntable accessories upgrade products. Manufactured in the U.S., the VPI MMW-9 offers music lovers an effective mass of 10.2-grams (0.35 ounces) and a length of 240mm (approximately 9.4 inches).
Ortofon 2MR Red MM Phono Cartridge (MSRP $99)
Arguably, phono cartridges are the most popular turntable accessories, and Ortofon is a go-to cartridge manufacturer for analog audio lovers. The affordable 2MR Red is a moving magnet (MM) phono cartridge that uses a tipped-elliptical diamond stylus and rubber dampers.
Audio-Technica VM740ML MM phono cartridge (MSRP $349)
The VM740ML incorporates the company’s 2.2 x 0.12 mil Microline stylus that resides in an aluminum-alloy housing. Audio-Technica notes the cartridge also employs a dual-magnet design and a center-shield plate the company says reduces crosstalk.
Dynavector 10×5 Mk2 MC phono cartridge (MSRP $800)
A case could be made that few turntable accessories deliver more value than Dynavector’s 10×5 MK2 moving coil (MC) phono cartridge. First released in 1978, the latest version of the cartridge features the company’s Magnetic Flux Damper, as well as its softened Magnetism technologies, and a “nude” diamond Shibata Ill stylus.
Denon DL-301 II MC phono cartridge (MSRP $449)
Denon may be known today for its AV receivers, but the company’s roots are in analog audio. The DL-301 II is an updated version of the company’s popular DL0301 phono cartridge. The MC phono cartridge is said to deliver more detail than the previous design, and Denon suggests the DL-301 II fits most head shells.
Keep Reading:
See what products are rated best by the pros in the CE Pro 100 Brand Analysis
Looking for a new Turntable? Here are our picks for some of the top turntables in 2025
And here’s a look at some of the latest phono preamplifiers that serve as companion solutions to those new turntables
