Do you have ways to ease use of vinyl?


The reason for this post is to help some of the older guys here who recently said they gave up on vinyl because of its physical challenges. And at 66, I could not agree more. I used to have a two shelves rack for my turntable, which placed the top of the platter above knee height, at 25". To flip vinyl was either bend over and hurt my back, or doing it and one knee and hurt those.
Well, NO MORE.
Late last year I purchased a 4 shelves rack which puts the top of the platter at my belly button height, 40". Btw, I am of average height, 5'10".
What a difference! My back and knees will be forever thankful.
Here is another thing that greatly eased my vinyl experience.
I use an outer ring, center weight and brush my vinyl for each play. This was the process it entailed: Put on the center weight before brushing because I play my vinyl on a bare aluminum platter. Wait until the brushing was done before putting on the outer ring because I brushed the conventional way, finishing by dragging the brush outward to get rid of the dust. Once brushed, removed the center weight so I could install the outer ring and then reinstall the center weight and I finally could drop the needle. Ouf!
NO MORE!
Now I put on the outer ring first, then brush the record taking the brush INWARD instead, leaving the minute dust on the label (and I found out it does a much better job of brushing since the brush moves in the direction of the grooves, inward). Once brushed, simply put on the center weight and drop the needle. Voila!
Easier ten fold.
Another important pointer, the center weight, brush AND OUTER RING must be near the TT and at the SAME HEIGHT. Your back will thank you.
Those changes took me over 50 years to figure out and they have literally made my listening to vinyl experience a dream instead of dreading to flip those vinyl. 
Please share any tip you may have to ease up the physical burden that some older folks here may have about using vinyl. Thanks.

128x128baylinor
"My shoulders are so messed up with arthritis, it makes it another problem"  

baylinor-

I know the pains you speak of, mine are just in other locations. Hopefully, you have consulted a rheumatologist and done lifestyle changes to help with your discomfort. Gamechanger for me.
Unfortunately, with my wife having worked in a hospital most of her working life, I have seen way too many doctors. The primary every 6 months and currently seeing specialists for the ears, dry eyes and dermatologist. At least I haven't had to see my cardiologist for a few years.
I was a professional snow skier into my early thirties, so that was that. No regrets whatsoever, at least I used the body I have to its full potential and I always knew there would be a price to pay for over working it.
Thanks for your concern.
With contemporary equipment streaming can be as satisfying as vinyl at most levels. A bit more investment is needed than for the analog side. But the rewards are huge... library goes from the thousand or so to nearly infinite for the monthly cost of one album... and No getting up at all... I still bicycle every day, so I get my exercise in other ways.


Yes. I just tried that with the purchase of a streamer/dac. Its been the most frustrating piece of equipment I ever bought. I have spent 50+ yrs setting up & using HiFi and 30 with computers. I figured I had a basic understanding. Well, yes & NO.  Of course the lack of instructions didn’t help. My 150 yr old eyes in my 70 yr old body doesn’t help either. On a bright note, a fellow A’goner was a big help.

Funny thing I did this because of age as much as anything. The problem I see is that there are too many parts to synch and my synch doesn’t exactly work as good as it used to. I burned out my multi tasker with over use. Sound is good enough but I know there has to be an easier way.

These golden yrs can be a challenge for sure. Each one has to find what fits their need. But old habits are hard to break

Mine was on the floor - when I was young, and no money for a good rack. Soon as I built a proper rack it went up to convenient height. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367
A good light helps a lot. 

My VPI vac is right beside the table. Now though it is used only to vacuum the final rinse off leaving records perfectly clean. I never even use a record brush any more, other than once in a while if I see some dust that won't blow off. 

Depending on what you are doing, get a headlamp! 

I don't know what it is called, but there's this neat little table you can get that clips on the arm rest of your chair. Perfect for that adult beverage. Sorry, but once the records are clean and the brush is eliminated it is hard to think of much else than kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labor! 

Ease of Access makes thing so much more comfortable and build confidence.
I had a TT set up a HiFi Enthusiasts show once where it was slightly lower than the Knee on a Support Plinth.
A Brand New Needle had a few skates during the day and I rolled backwards and was legs akimbo in a room that was full with attendees of the show.

At home the TT is set up at approximately 4 feet in height, this is the b est for my practices, and the Grandchildren are not even focused on it when it is passed by.

I have a Lamp placed on the Sub Plinth, this works great for illuminating the LP and Cartridge.
Also a Q Up device or similar to lift the Tonearm at the end of a replay,
if it can be utilised ?, gives reassurances to a Cartridge security,
if a slowness or sleepiness is set in at the end of a Replay.

As for Vinyl Care, if the LP is not feeling too secure in a trusted usual grip.
A pair of easy on/off artefact handling gloves will allow for a improved hold on the LP without contaminating it.
I use Nitrile Gloves when cleaning and these are reassuring,, but a alternative material used for the Glove can be used.
As crazy as it might sound, a glove of choice with Micro Fibre Cloth Finger Tips sewn on, could be the ideal method.
I've had a search and discovered these in the Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SWISS-REIMAGINED-Microfibre-Inspection-Stretchable/dp/B01FTZ135G