Aftermarket Upgrade Question

The most dramatic sound differences typically come from a stylus or cartridge upgrade, but there are some tweaks you can do to help optimize what’s there.

• Build or buy an isolation platform....Google some ideas
• Add a few orthodontia rubber bands or orings along the tonearm.
• coat the underside of the platter with Flexseal or rubber undercoating
• setup and alignment are always critical...for both the TT and the whole system
• Add a record weight to increase mass (helps reduce resonance)
• Add some weighted grip tape around the counterweight to move it closer to the pivot point...you’ll need to rebalance the arm and tracking force (shortens the moment of inertia and requires less energy to move the arm, essentially making it more nimble)

No guarantees any of this will lead to audible improvements, but are a step in the right direction and shouldn’t hurt anything. The rest of your system will be a factor in how much you can hear.

Try a Herbies mat. It made a huge improvement on my old Music Hall turntable. OTOH, it was horrible on my Linn. Money back if not satisfied.  The other thing that might help is a Vibrapod under each foot. May help, may not. Beyond that, I wouldn’t sink any more money into it. 

@holmz 

Honestly, sound advice (no pun intended). While I have taken care of the first three, the tracking force and alignment points I need to address...thank you!

@lowrider57 

I am hardwired (AudioQuest Goldengate) into my Denon PMA-600NE, which has a dedicated analog phono channel. I use the Denon pre-amp, not the Akai one.

I have put in a Sumiko Olympia cartridge, which I like better than the AT one that came standard.

@knotscott 

I few ideas I didn't think of in there...thank you.

Namely the isolation platform and tonearm suggestions. Again, I'm not trying to make my Akai a Rega P9, but just tinkering with the available "upgrades" on my otherwise sentimental TT.

@chayro 

I will look into it. And I agree...I'm not hoping to turn my Chevy into a Rolls Royce, but sticking with the automobile analogy, Chevy and Cadillac share platforms, powerplants, etc. sometimes. But there are certain components within them that distinguish the performance. That's the angle I am coming from...and keeping it into perspective.

Thanks again, all. Some good ideas I should consider!

Aside from cartridge upgrade, I would tend to agree with others about isolation.  

I would just listen to it.

You will either like it and maybe upgrade in a few years, like it just how it is, or chuck it or sell it.

So I would not even modify anything. Just brush the LPs, and spin em up.