I think you really need a magnifying glass, sometimes you just can't
see what's on the stylus.
see what's on the stylus.
Analog care -- what do we NEED
Looking at all the stuff on the market -- cartridge demagnitizer, anti-static gun, stylus cleaners, a plethora of record cleaning accessories, plastic versus paper sleeves, cartridge alignment tools, damping materials, and a plethora of other tweaks -- it seems as if you can never get your analog set up right. So, here's my question; what do vinyl lovers need to do?
I clean my records regularly - dry-brush before every play, run them through the VPI 16.5 on occassion, - and I clean the stylus, both dry and with Last stylus cleaner about once every week or two, I obviously use a stylus gauge to set up the cartridge and a spirit level to do the turntable. There is a lot of isolation for my turntable and some damping. This already seems excessive. I just want to know what other people do and how much of this is really a necessity?
I clean my records regularly - dry-brush before every play, run them through the VPI 16.5 on occassion, - and I clean the stylus, both dry and with Last stylus cleaner about once every week or two, I obviously use a stylus gauge to set up the cartridge and a spirit level to do the turntable. There is a lot of isolation for my turntable and some damping. This already seems excessive. I just want to know what other people do and how much of this is really a necessity?
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Dear Ssayeed: First than all IMHO the main target on why we own an analog audio system is to enjoy music and this means heard/hear music as many hours we can. I say this because many times the music/software is a " slave " of hardware " care ". Ones you make the cartridge/tonearm set up and fine tunning you only want to have your LP's in pristine/clean condition and the cartridge stylus in that same condition too and enjoy the music. Time to time check the cartridge set up to be sure is right on target and that's all. Try to enjoy the music listening music and not " playing " with the hardware. The time is the only element where we don't have control so don't waist it if you really love music and want to hear music. Regards and enjoy the music, Raul. |
Why do we keep asking questions to which there are no answers? This is like asking "what is essential to the maintenance of my body?" For some of us, it's miles of running every day, weightlifting three times a week, yoga every night, and a strict healthy diet. For other, it's barbeque, beer, and reefer every day. |
What do vinyl players "need" to do? Only whatever each one finds useful for the level and kind of replay they're seeking. I know what I do and why I do it, but it would be impertinent to suggest that because I do a thing anyone else "needs" to. My musical tastes, sonic sensitivities, system, budget and proclivity for tweaking surely differ from yours - or anyone's. (Of course you and I understand that my way is best and everyone else's is wrong, but we wouldn't say so!) If you're looking for examples of "here's what I do", why not check out the Record Playing Rituals thread . It's been stickied at the top of this forum for nine years to capture exactly that sort of thing. |
Cartridge Demagnitizer - no Zerostat gun - well maybe only if necessary Wet vacuum cleaning machine - ESSENTIAL (had a nitty gritty for decades, now use a VPI 16) after wet vacuuming usually there is no static and no need for the anti-static gun Walker magnet thingy (forgot the name) - very helpful, does work and does make a slight difference Stylus cleaner - ESSENTIAL but I don't use it on every play, if the record is wet vac. cleaned before each play the stylus stays pretty clean MFSL plastic sleeves - the best, after a new or used record is thoughly wet vac. cleaned, replace with one of these sleeves After your cartridge is properly set up by a dealer that really knows analog, OR if you REALLY know what you're doing and do this yourself, then YES it is essential to get the platter level so YES on the level. did that help? Last time I tried a 'penny' on the headshell I was 15 years old using my dad's Garrard gear driven table LOL |
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