How to Set Up Your Turntable Like a Pro | Beginner's Guide

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So you just bought a brand-new turntable—congratulations! But now comes the ever-enjoyable process of setting it up and connecting it to your sound system. How do you balance the tonearm? Which cable goes where? And what about the phono stage—how do you know which one to use?

In this guide, we’ll give you the rundown on Turntable Setup 101 so you can get to spinning records and enjoying your favorite music in no time.

Step 1: Find a Good Workspace

When opening up your turntable—regardless of the brand or model—start by finding a good space to work. We recommend using a kitchen counter or a table, but the floor can work in a pinch.

Lay out all the parts in front of you and take a moment to read the included instructions for your particular turntable. Each model will be slightly different, so it’s worth reviewing the manual before you start assembling.

Generally, you’ll want to ensure:

• The platter and sub-platter are installed.
• The belt is in place (if your model includes one).
• The cartridge and headshell are attached.
• The counterweight is installed on the back of the tonearm.

Reminder: The dust cover usually goes on last, and we recommend waiting to install it until the tonearm is balanced.

Step 2: Balance the Tonearm

This is a great time to balance your tonearm. We highly recommend picking up a stylus pressure gauge, as it’s the easiest way to ensure proper tracking force. A turntable protractor (which may come in the box) will help with aligning your cartridge.

Check the recommended tracking force for your cartridge and stylus. Most moving magnet cartridges will want to be balanced between 1.8g–2.0g. Moving coil cartridges may require slightly more or less.

If your turntable has an adjustable anti-skate dial, set it to match the tracking force. For example, if you balance at 1.9 grams, set the anti-skate to 1.9. If your model comes with an anti-skate weight, refer to your instructions for where to hang it.

Step 3: Connect to Your Stereo

Now that your turntable is assembled and calibrated, it’s time to connect it to your stereo.

If you have an external phono preamp, we recommend using it. In most cases, external phono preamps perform better than those built into turntables, stereo preamps, or home theater AVRs.

Here’s how to connect it:

• Use RCA cables to connect the output of your turntable to the input of your phono stage.
• If your setup includes a ground cable, make sure it’s connected between the turntable and phono stage.
• From the output of the phono preamp, connect to any analog input on your sound system.

Reminder: Do not connect two phono preamp stages together. This will create distortion and can potentially damage your speakers or electronics.

Ready to Spin!

If everything went well, you should be ready to start listening to music right away! But if this setup process feels a bit daunting, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

If you're local to our Pennsylvania showrooms, feel free to bring in your turntable, and one of our experts will set it up for you. Or, if you'd prefer, we can come out to your home and handle the whole process for you.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions about more niche scenarios—like using specialty balanced audio cables with Pro-Ject turntables or how to change a cartridge and stylus—let us know in the comments below. We’re happy to help!