Eventually buy a Milty Zerostat 3 Anti-Static Gun. About $99. I’ve had one since the 1980s and still use it. It works despite naysayers who must not be using it correctly. Can make a big difference in how much dust your records attract AFTER cleaning them.
Another option depending on how much money or time you want to spend is building your own vacuum cleaning system using something like the VinylVac.
After all is said and done, though, you might be better off just buying one of the $220 and up commercial vacuum systems (Record Doctor, etc.) but perhaps playing around with different record cleaning formulations or making your own.
Main thing is to have fun. Vinyl isn’t for wimps. There is way more work involved but then you have that nice artwork and liner notes to always have.
Do make sure to properly ground your turntable so you don’t end up with hum.
Turntable noobie...what advice do you have?
As this forum has corrupted me and I have decided to dive down the rabbit hole of LP's. Usually I stream but I find the tactile experience of records appealing. I have ordered a Pro-ject RPM-3 Carbon with Sumiko Amethyst cartridge and a Mobile Fidelity StudioPhono preamp. Oh, and a record brush. I will be plugging them into my Voyager GAN amp and from there powering my LSA 20 Statement speakers.
I know there is always better equipment to get but I feel this gives a good starting point. I picked up some new records but a half dozen does not a record collection make. So I do plan on making my focus for the near future getting more and expanding my collection. I listen to all kind of music so they will be many different genres. I will be getting new ones but I will undoubtedly get some used ones too.
Okay, so what all would you recommend for someone just getting into this hobby? Especially if I am getting any used records, I should probably look at a record cleaner. What else for equipment or doodads? What about tricks or tips for increasing my collection? In my city there is a record store called Music Millennium that I will be checking out and there of course if Barnes and Noble (where I purchased my other ones). Do you know of places online I should check out? Thanks in advance for your advice.
- ...
- 102 posts total
@mijostyn: I had a similar type "dust sweep arm" in the late-60’s (the Dust Bug, made by Cecil E. Watts of England). But your recommendation of using one in place of an anti-static device---such as the Zerostat or DeStat---is not a good one. First and foremost, even if the bristles of the dusting arm are effective at neutralizing an LP with a static charge (I have no knowledge one way or the other), it will do so only when the bristles arrive at any given area of the LP surface. In the meantime, the entire rest of the static-charged LP surface will be attracting dust down onto it. Secondly, anti-static devices are more effective at neutralizing a static charge when the LP is hand-held, rather than sitting on the platter. The conductive grounding wire of the sweep arm you show in no way aids in neutralizing a static charge. Sorry to be the one to tell you that, but it’s a fact. If it did work, using a bare metal platter would work just as well, and they don’t. There are anti-static brushes made for the photographic industry, with conductive bristles designed to clean negatives. You’ll notice none of them feature a conductive grounding strap. That is just done on consumer models aimed at gullible record collectors and beginner audiophiles. ;-) The used LP’s I buy locally almost always have a healthy static charge on them (some record shop owners "clean" their trade-ins with a microfiber cloth and Windex, though a couple of mine have a Nitty Gritty or Record Doctor vacuum machine). From the very long record-cleaning post on Bill Hart’s site (I can’t recommend it too highly), I learned of a great first step in cleaning used LP’s: You can find on ebay a number of sellers offering a hand-help device that is comprised of two plastic discs slightly larger than the diameter of LP center labels, each disc having a rubber gasket around it’s perimeter. You cover the label on both LP sides with the two discs and secure them with the supplied bolt and plastic-handled wingnut. You are now ready for the first step in the cleaning process. Hold the LP under the running faucet in your kitchen or laundry room sink, and use a brush of your choice and some mild liquid detergent to wash all the dust/dirt/fluff off the LP. The LP is now pre-cleaned for your record cleaning machine (vacuum or ultrasonic). This does the same job as the Spin Clean and Knosti "tanks", without leaving behind a plastic tub to empty and clean. Doing such a pre-wash keeps the record store/previous owner gunk from dirtying your record cleaning machine/water. |
@ddonicht We are fortunate to live in Portland, which for a small(ish) town has several good record stores and audio dealers, selling both new and used. Supporting local is best but online vendors like Acoustic Sounds, Elusive Disc and Music Direct sell hard to find high quality vinyl issues. Your list of record care items is a great start, as is your new analog gear. Have fun, enjoy it all. See you in the record store! |
You have inspired me to finally put this together TOOLS FOR LP’S
$15. ALIGNMENT DISC: one side: Lines for Overhang and Two NULL Points ANTI-SKATE: other blank side: spin platter manually, adjust anti-skate control while watching $14. TRACKING FORCE, Digital Scale $10. AZIMUTH and VTA Alignment Block: clear actylic with Grid of Lines $6. MAGNIFYING MIRROR to VIEW STYLUS (two). 3-1/2” DIAMETER, One: 10X; One 20x + 2 tweezers $11. FLAT MIRROR to View Azimuth Reflection 4” X 6” X 3MM. Thickness of LP, place under the stylus, view from front, any deviation from straight will be reflected ‘opposite’. $13. STYLUS CLEANING FLUID, Audio Technica
$50. MANUAL LP WASH SYSTEM (do batches of 10) $9. INFANT SCALP SCRUBB BRUSHES (3). Scrub Dirty LP’s Vigotously, then rinse in above system $13. OVERSIZED EYEGLASS CLOTHS, Dust LP ONLY IF Needed (13 pack). I DO NOT use a brush anymore. Place LP on platter, just lay cloth on, spin platter by hand while very lightly pulling cloth off the edge to remove surface dust, not push anything down into the grooves. $1.00 DISTILLED WATER $6. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, 91%, 1 Quart $15. GEL STYLUS CLEANER $14. STYLUS BRUSH, Carbon Fiber, Non-Slip Textured Handle
$13. ISOLATION PADS below Turntable, I wrapped my edges with black tape) $__ CENTER WEIGHT, Disc Stabilizer. Size/Weight/Style Vary, how strong is your motor?
|
- 102 posts total