5 Ways To Have MORE FUN With Your Turntable In 2026
United States of Analog | December 28, 2025
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video is about making New Year’s resolutions to have more fun with turntables and vinyl records in 2026. Host Bob is sharing 5 ideas for how turntable owners can get more enjoyment out of their gear and listen to more music, as he admits he didn’t listen to enough music in 2025 due to being busy with his channel, job, and other commitments.
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:01:06] Bob confesses he didn’t listen to enough music in 2025, mostly just test tracks for reviews, due to being busy with his channel, full-time job, family and side hustles
- [00:01:22] He believes music calms, informs and inspires him, and not having enough of it increased his stress levels
- [00:01:42] He got most of his music listening done in his Tesla, praising its sound system as being “almost like i bought a great sound system and got a car for free”
- [00:02:32] He doesn’t think turntable owners need to be purists – believes vinyl/turntables and streaming can work hand in hand
- [00:02:53] Streaming is great for discovering music before spending $30-100+ on albums, helping you find versions and masterings you like before investing
Funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes:
- [00:01:46] “it’s almost like i bought a great sound system and got a car for free” (about his Tesla’s audio system)
- [00:02:07] “god knows i’ve got the gear and i’ve got the space” (acknowledging he has no excuse not to listen more)
- [00:03:25] “it’s so easy just to go into a record store blindly and you know start throwing stuff in the basket well there’s no baskets in record stores but you know what i mean”
Summary:
Host Bob opens his final video of 2025 by announcing the channel is about to hit 35,000 subscribers and thanking viewers and industry supporters for their continued support throughout what he describes as a good but perhaps not as productive year as hoped. He sets up the video’s premise around New Year’s resolutions for getting more enjoyment out of turntables and vinyl in 2026.
Bob makes a candid confession that he didn’t listen to enough music in 2025, finding himself caught up in the demands of running his YouTube channel, his full-time job, family obligations, and side hustles. He admits to mostly listening to the same test tracks for equipment reviews rather than enjoying music for pleasure, with most of his actual music listening happening in his Tesla, whose sound system he highly praises.
The host begins outlining his philosophy that turntable enthusiasts don’t need to be format purists, arguing that streaming and vinyl can complement each other effectively. He suggests using streaming services as a discovery tool to audition music and different masterings before investing significant money in vinyl purchases, acknowledging that while streaming may not sound as good as vinyl, it can help guide purchasing decisions and prevent blind buying at record stores.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
- Technics turntable [00:04:15]
- Michelle Audio Techno Deck (noted as display only, not plugged in) [00:04:22]
- Stack Audio record stabilizer/weight [00:04:33]
- Stack Audio mat (heavyweight rubber with dimples) [00:05:21]
- Isolation feet [00:05:56]
- Better cables [00:05:56]
- Stylus upgrades [00:06:02]
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
- Advocates for being more selective with vinyl purchases and using streaming to preview before buying [00:03:55]
- Recommends making small incremental improvements rather than major system overhauls in 2026 [00:04:08]
- Believes the Stack Audio products provide both sonic and visual improvements [00:05:14]
- Suggests upgrading existing turntables rather than replacing them entirely [00:06:02]
Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?
- The host mentions the Stack Audio products provide sonic improvements but doesn’t provide specific details about the sound quality changes [00:05:14]
- Notes that the Stack Audio mat reduces contact between record and platter, implying better isolation [00:05:30]
Any vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?
- Pink Floyd – mentioned as the host’s Sunday morning listening ritual [00:06:22]
- Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass – referenced as his father’s Sunday morning tradition [00:06:37]
Any audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content?
- Use streaming services to preview albums before purchasing vinyl to avoid impulse buys [00:03:55]
- Focus on small incremental upgrades like isolation feet, better cables, or new stylus rather than major system changes [00:05:56]
- Consider curating listening sessions, such as “Side A Sundays” or “artist deep cut nights” [00:06:55]
- Save money on major equipment purchases to have more budget for vinyl records [00:06:02]
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
- “why did i get that that was 40 bucks that’s that’s a that’s a dinner that’s half of a night out why did i get that that was an impulse buy” [00:03:32]
- “man when this goes down on the record it is so satisfying it’s kind of viscous and it just you see it just kind of settle down” [00:04:54]
- “save your money for the vinyl so you can feed your turntable no need to replace that turntable when you can just gussy it up a little bit” [00:06:02]
Summary
In this portion of the video, the host reflects on the pitfalls of impulsive vinyl purchasing, sharing his personal experience of buying records he hasn’t even opened yet. He advocates for using streaming services strategically to preview music before committing to vinyl purchases, emphasizing that this approach can coexist harmoniously with analog collecting without any shame.
The discussion then shifts to turntable upgrades, where the host demonstrates his philosophy of making small, incremental improvements rather than major system overhauls. He showcases Stack Audio products, including a unique record stabilizer that uses proprietary sound-absorbing technology and a dimpled rubber mat designed to minimize contact between records and the platter. While he admits he needs to research the technology more thoroughly for a future review, he’s clearly impressed with both the sonic and visual improvements these accessories provide.
The segment concludes with advice on curating listening experiences, drawing from personal memories of his father’s Sunday morning Herb Alpert rituals and his own Pink Floyd traditions. The host suggests creating themed listening sessions like “Side A Sundays” or artist-focused nights as a way to add structure and intentionality to the vinyl listening experience, making the hobby more engaging and meaningful.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion:
- [00:07:45] Record cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners, anti-static brushes, tracking force scales
- [00:07:53] Phone apps that confirm turntable speed accuracy
- [00:09:07] Custom slip mats from local record stores or audio manufacturers
- [00:09:39] Rhino reissue (record label)
- [00:09:41] Yes album “90125”
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion:
- [00:09:28] Records and equipment “tell little stories about your life” and are part of one’s personal story
- [00:10:00] Encourages personalizing and getting more involved with vinyl and turntable gear
- [00:10:06] Acknowledges that busy lifestyles may have led to showing less attention to gear and vinyl in the past year
Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider:
- [00:07:58] Take advantage of vinyl and turntable accessories and apps in 2026
- [00:08:19] Create a crate of “desert island discs” (go-to records)
- [00:08:55] Create a stack of autographed vinyl
- [00:09:01] Match concert ticket stubs and backstage passes with corresponding albums
- [00:09:07] Dress up turntable with custom slip mats
Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers:
- [00:07:06] Suggestions for vinyl-themed gatherings: pressing shootouts, theme nights based on producers, studios, or labels
- [00:07:26] Specific mastering engineer theme nights featuring Bernie Grundman or Kevin Gray
- [00:08:25] Solution for “choice paralysis” when owning large vinyl collections (host mentions having 1000-1200 records)
How did the video wrap up:
- [00:10:17] Standard YouTube outro encouraging likes, subscriptions, and comments for additional ideas
- [00:10:22] Thank you to viewers for supporting the channel in 2025
- [00:10:34] Direction to click on YouTube’s suggested next video
- [00:10:44] New Year wishes and channel sign-off with “cheers”
Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions:
- [00:08:44] “Does that ever happen to you do you ever get paralyzed by your selection of music i know it’s a good problem to have but it is a problem for me”
- [00:09:53] “Vinyl your turntable all part of the story of your life why not personalize it a little more get into it a little more”
- [00:10:12] “There’s still time you’ve got a whole new year to figure it out”
Summary:
In the final portion of this video about having more fun with turntables in 2026, the host completes his five-point list with recommendations for embracing modern accessories and personalizing the vinyl experience. He discusses the benefits of using contemporary tools like ultrasonic record cleaners, tracking force scales, anti-static brushes, and smartphone apps for monitoring turntable speed accuracy. The host also suggests creative social activities such as hosting themed listening parties focused on specific mastering engineers like Bernie Grundman or Kevin Gray, or organizing pressing shootouts for albums like Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.”
The fifth and final recommendation centers on making turntable listening more personal and meaningful. The host candidly shares his own struggle with “choice paralysis” when faced with his collection of over 1,200 vinyl records, suggesting solutions like creating a curated selection of “desert island discs” or organizing records by personal memories such as autographs, concert tickets, and backstage passes. He also recommends customizing equipment with personalized slip mats from local record stores or audio manufacturers.
The video concludes with a reflective tone as the host emphasizes that vinyl records and turntable equipment tell personal stories and form part of one’s life narrative. He acknowledges that busy lifestyles may have prevented proper attention to gear and vinyl collections in the past year, but encourages viewers to use 2026 as an opportunity to reconnect with their passion. The outro includes standard YouTube engagement requests, thanks to the community for their 2025 support, and warm New Year wishes before signing off with the channel’s signature “United States of Analog” tagline.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
