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Returning to Vinyl

Now planning a return to vinyl listening after a nearly 40-year hiatus and need some basic help. Although I do still own a functional mid-fi system (Goldring GR1.2 TT with preinstalled arm, Goldring Elektra MM cart, Cambridge Duo phono pre), long gone are the battery-powered vibrating stylus cleaning brush, the Nitty Gritty record cleaning machine, the LAST LP treatment solution with the big wide application brush, and even the MHS archive-quality replacement sleeves. I know there are several cleaning machines on the market and am willing to spend something reasonable (<$1k), but beyond that I'm clueless.
Q1. How necessary is a cleaning machine for an occasional (say, 3x/mo.) vinyl listener with irreplaceable LPs?
Q2. If needed, which product delivers most bang for the buck? 
Q3. Same questions re stylus cleaning devices.
Q4. Same questions re record preservation treatments.
Q5. Tracking/alignment/pressure have not been checked or adjusted since acquisition despite two moves. Are there still shops performing these services? 

Advance thanks for all useful advice.
hickamore
hickamore OP
706 posts
 
Many thanks to all for the tips and encouragement. Will definitely follow them up. Believe the right time has come. While vinyl is a hassle, I'm finding streaming falls well short of audio nirvana and is not without its own frustrations. Synching streaming apps with iPad -- !%^&!* Can't help wondering: six months from now, will I be creating playlists dubbed to cassette tapes as I did in the 1970s? Just discovered that TEAC still sells one, and for that matter I've got an old Rotel that sounds better than it deserves to. (Can't afford R2R, from what I'm reading).

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,140 posts
 
Goldring Elektra Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz ± 3dB
- Channel balance @ 1kHz: 2dB 
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: 20dB 
- Output voltage @ 1kHz,5cm/sec: 5mV±2dB 
- Static compliance: 16mm/N
- Equivalent tip mass: 0.7 mg
- Vertical tracking angle: 26°
- Stylus radius: Elliptical .0007 x .0003 (18µ x 7µ)
- Stylus type: Replaceable, Golding D152E stylus 
- Load resistance: 47k ohms
- Load capacitance: 150-400 pf
- Internal inductance: 560 mH
- Internal resistance: 700 ohms
- Weight: 4.2 g
- Mounting: 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) 
- Tracking force range: 1.5-3.0 g (2.0 g nominal)
hickamore OP
706 posts
 
Got that box checked! Thanks Jim.
ghdprentice
7,414 posts
 
Just as an aside. Streaming these days can be outstanding. It can be completely hassle free and truly audiophile quality. High end streamers produce outstanding bit streams with very reliable easy to use apps to manage them. But as in all things audio it takes carefully choosing equipment that is compatible and synergistic. Sounds like there are lots of opportunities for enjoying an improved system. I’d recommend concentrating on one leg at a time. Enjoy.
mglik
913 posts
 
Regardless of price level, vinyl playback is most rewarding.
And whatever you put into it will give a great return on investment.
And even a modest system produces that organic sound that is digested in a way beyond digital.
BTW-best stylus cleaner that is also most easy to use is the Onzow Zerodust. $52 on Amazon.
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