what to keep analoge system perfect working?

Hi,

the intent of this thread is to expand a bit more the subject on how to set the cartridge, keep it cleaned and keep your LPs in a good shape.

I came out with the following list of tools:

1) strobe disk to fine tune the speed, wherever it is possible to do so.
I was thinking of K-A-B Strobe disk that seems to be a very precise tool

2) clean off dust from the records.
At first I was impressed by the Nagaoka roller, but after researches I found it not to be as good as I though and all in all the carbon fiber brush seems to be still the classic solution for dust

3) vinyl cleaning machine.
There are several solutions out there but they are pretty expensive.
I found a DIYs to be much cheaper but yet as efficient. It just needs an old TT and a wet/dry vacuum;

3a) for the liquid fluid a diy version should work fine. Unfotunately the fluids on the market are quite of expensive and if you have a wide selection I guess this is the way to go:
- 3 parts of distilled water
- 1 part of Isopropyl alcohol
- few drops of photographic wetting agent

3b) brush for the cleaning duty.
To spread the liquid, it is supposedly better to spend few more bucks and get the VPI HW-17/17F brush than having a cheaper solution that won't least as long will start shading soon and won't be as efficient

4) keep stylus clean.
I found a very inexpensive solution for it. It is called Mr. Eraser ME. It seems to have gathered a lot of follower among all the people that have been using it for long time

5) perform cartridge alignment.
I found Mint LP to be the best custom made tool. Unfortunately it is costly. (does it also have a mirror to check the azimuth?!)

6) digital stylus force gauge

7) level to check if the platter is flat

This is what my understanding of what's needed for a perfect analogue front end set up and maintenance till now.

Please feel free to comment each point and give suggestions.

Best,
Stefano.