FAQ Search Results

No. Townshend Audio designs their isolation platforms, pods, and bars for straightforward home installation. They can be placed directly under equipment or loudspeakers, and adjustments are simple. No special tools are required, making them one of the most accessible yet transformative upgrades for improving your system’s performance.

The Super Tweeter extends the high-frequency response of your loudspeakers beyond the limits of human hearing. This ultrasonic extension improves timing, spatial cues, and overall realism, even though the frequencies themselves are inaudible. Compatible with most hi-fi speakers, it’s a popular upgrade among audiophiles seeking greater openness and air in their sound.

By decoupling your equipment from floor-borne vibration, Seismic Isolation Platforms lower noise and distortion across the frequency range. The result is a wider soundstage, tighter bass, and more natural midrange and treble. Many listeners describe the upgrade as akin to hearing their system for the first time, revealing detail, dynamics, and musical flow that standard supports mask.

Townshend Audio focuses on solving problems that limit musical enjoyment, particularly vibration and resonance. Their Seismic Isolation Platforms, Pods, and accessories eliminate mechanical interference, allowing your system to deliver music with greater clarity, realism, and emotional impact. With more than four decades of innovation, Townshend products are recognised worldwide for unlocking performance that other upgrades cannot achieve.

Ortofon produces both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges. MM designs, like the 2M Series, are affordable, durable, and offer stylus replacement. MC cartridges, such as the Cadenza or Quintet ranges, deliver even higher fidelity but require specialist phono stages and cannot be user-retipped.

Yes. Like many high-fidelity components, Ortofon cartridges typically benefit from 20–50 hours of playback before they reach their optimal performance. During this period, the suspension loosens, improving tonal balance, dynamics, and detail retrieval.

Most Ortofon cartridges follow the standard ½-inch mount, making them compatible with the majority of tonearms and turntables. However, some DJ-focused Ortofon Concorde cartridges use an integrated SME connector for direct plug-in compatibility with specific tonearms. Always check your tonearm type before choosing.

If your amplifier doesn’t include a built-in phono input, a dedicated Pro-Ject phono stage is essential. Even if it does, upgrading to a standalone unit can improve dynamics, reduce noise, and bring more clarity to your vinyl playback. Pro-Ject’s compact designs offer excellent performance and value.

Hana suggests tracking force for each model (often around ~2.0g, plus/minus tolerances). Using a good digital stylus gauge helps. Azimuth needs to be set so the stylus is perfectly square to the record groove, mis-alignment causes channel imbalance and imaging issues. If your tonearm allows adjustment, it’s worth fine-tuning by eye or test record.

With proper care and regular record cleaning, Hana cartridges typically provide between 500–1,000 hours of playback before stylus wear begins to affect performance. Factors such as tracking force, record condition, and system setup can influence lifespan. Replacing your cartridge or retipping at the right time ensures your records remain in excellent condition.

Pro-Ject offers a wide range of cartridges to suit different budgets and systems. Entry-level options like the Pro-Ject Pick it S2 provide excellent sound for new vinyl enthusiasts, while higher-end models such as the Pick it PRO deliver greater detail and dynamics. The best choice depends on your turntable, amplifier, and listening preferences. At Future Shop, our team can help match the right cartridge to your setup.

On average, a stylus should be replaced every 500–1,000 hours of playback, depending on use and record condition. Worn styli can cause distortion and damage records, so regular checks are important. Replacement Pro-Ject styli are available to keep your system performing at its best.

Pro-Ject offers several cleaning solutions, from simple brushes to advanced vacuum record cleaners. For everyday use, a carbon fibre brush removes surface dust before playback. For deeper cleaning, Pro-Ject’s VC-S3 or VC-E2 machines provide a thorough wash, ensuring your records remain free of dirt and static.

A record clamp or weight helps stabilise vinyl during playback, reducing vibrations and improving contact with the platter. This results in more accurate tracking and better sound quality. Pro-Ject clamps are designed for easy use and can make a noticeable difference in system performance.

Ortofon’s legacy spans over 100 years, and the brand is recognised for combining heritage with continuous innovation. Unlike many cartridge manufacturers, Ortofon designs and manufactures its products entirely in-house, ensuring precise tolerances and consistent quality. From entry-level to reference models, Ortofon cartridges are known for their musicality, reliability, and the ability to extract fine detail from vinyl records.