Are Dust Covers a MUST

I've heard both side of the argument but I can't get past the mental image of a vortex of dust particles raining down on my albums. Dust cover on and down when I'm playing LPs.

I am coming very late to the party here, but the guys that make these products have to pay employees, pay the light bills and pay the rent plus buy the raw materials, shop supplies and pay equipment depreciation & transporation cost plus make a profit...I think a professionally made at $300.00 dust cover from Gingko is a steal..

I just ordered a custom Cloud 11 and I think it is quite a bargain compared to many of the $$$$ overly inflated and often ineffective products out there..My 2 cents

I dont like dust covers
Tables look and SOUND better without them

Until someone does a double-blind abx test to prove otherwise, dust covers do not detract from the looks of any turntable. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Everybody I know who tried going commando (no TT dust cover) was dead inside a week.

DON'T DO IT.