Yes, cheap record players can ruin records. Cheap record players often have poor tracking and inadequate counterweight, which can cause the stylus to dig into the grooves of the record and damage it. Additionally, cheap record players often have poor vibration isolation, which can cause the record to skip and the stylus to jump out of the groove, which can also damage the record.
Here are some of the ways that cheap record players can ruin records:
- Poor tracking: Cheap record players often have poor tracking, which means that the stylus does not follow the grooves of the record accurately. This can cause the stylus to dig into the grooves of the record and damage it.
- Inadequate counterweight: Cheap record players often have inadequate counterweight, which means that the stylus puts too much pressure on the record. This can also cause the stylus to dig into the grooves of the record and damage it.
- Poor vibration isolation: Cheap record players often have poor vibration isolation, which means that the record is not isolated from vibrations from the outside world. This can cause the record to skip and the stylus to jump out of the groove, which can also damage the record.
If you are serious about protecting your records, it is important to invest in a good quality record player. A good quality record player will have good tracking, adequate counterweight, and good vibration isolation. This will help to protect your records from damage.
Here are some tips for protecting your records from damage:
- Use a good quality record player. As mentioned above, a good quality record player will have good tracking, adequate counterweight, and good vibration isolation. This will help to protect your records from damage.
- Clean your records regularly. Dust and dirt can build up on your records and cause the stylus to skip and jump out of the groove. This can damage the record. To clean your records, use a record brush or a record cleaning machine.
- Store your records properly. Records should be stored in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing your records in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
- Handle your records carefully. When handling your records, be careful not to touch the playing surface. If you do touch the playing surface, clean it with a record brush before playing the record.
