Thanks MC for pointing out the idiocracy of such poster. Anyone who doesn't post their system holds very little trustworthiness, if any.
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.
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.
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- 75 posts total
Indeed. Now back to the subject at hand, there is an obvious solution. How audiophile it is will depend as usual on the details. But it will be hard to make record playing any easier - or more beautiful! - than this: https://youtu.be/OtzS-6GtfGg?t=38 |
"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." baylinor-yup, I can relate to that...I've got a Nascar pit crew of specialists head to toe. " was a professional snow skier into my early thirties, so that was that" These days, my knees wouldn't last a complete run on the "easiest" bump trails, but I can still handle most everything else-just slower...much slower! I'm envious of anyone who has a standalone audio room. I'm sure your setup sounds great. VPI Classic user here. Ever get the urge to go BIG on speakers? I see a room waiting for them. |
Like many, platter height is higher - 50" up. Lets me see what I'm doing without having to bend over. Bad back, neck and right rotator cuff. I clean everything I get, then sleeve record in Mofi sleeves. Put the album cover in a plastic outer, and just slide the record in the MoFi sleeve into that - on the outside of the record cover. Less strain on shoulder as it's one thing to remove from the outer sleeve. Also made a records to be played flip storage. Holds about 20 or so records. Go through the collection, pull a bunch of material and fill it. Still have to go through the main set when I urgently need to listen to something that pops into my head, but I find this a bit easier for me. Plus, I keep the collection in rotation, Have a small shelf I added to my rack, to the right of the TT and thats where I keep my clamp/record brush/stylus cleaner. Next rack I build is going to be double width so I can place components side by side. It'll make it a little bit lower overall, but I find I'm wanting the extra shelving. And once I build the platform for the TT, I suspect it shouldn't be too much lower. |
- 75 posts total