That magic depends—often frustratingly—on how well your phono cartridge is set up. We’ve devoted a lot of space to audiophile turntables, phono pre-amplifiers, and all of the accessories you might need to maximize your experience but not enough attention has been paid to phono cartridge setup. Setting up your phono cartridge properly isn’t just some audiophile ritual—it’s essential. Choose the right stylus force: The correct stylus force will depend on the cartridge you have, but typically, it’s between 1.5 and 2.5 grams. Check the manufacturer’s specifications for the recommended force and use a stylus force gauge to set it accurately.