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Do you have ways to ease use of vinyl?

The reason for this post is to help some of the older guys here who recently said they gave up on vinyl because of its physical challenges. And at 66, I could not agree more. I used to have a two shelves rack for my turntable, which placed the top of the platter above knee height, at 25". To flip vinyl was either bend over and hurt my back, or doing it and one knee and hurt those.
Well, NO MORE.
Late last year I purchased a 4 shelves rack which puts the top of the platter at my belly button height, 40". Btw, I am of average height, 5'10".
What a difference! My back and knees will be forever thankful.
Here is another thing that greatly eased my vinyl experience.
I use an outer ring, center weight and brush my vinyl for each play. This was the process it entailed: Put on the center weight before brushing because I play my vinyl on a bare aluminum platter. Wait until the brushing was done before putting on the outer ring because I brushed the conventional way, finishing by dragging the brush outward to get rid of the dust. Once brushed, removed the center weight so I could install the outer ring and then reinstall the center weight and I finally could drop the needle. Ouf!
NO MORE!
Now I put on the outer ring first, then brush the record taking the brush INWARD instead, leaving the minute dust on the label (and I found out it does a much better job of brushing since the brush moves in the direction of the grooves, inward). Once brushed, simply put on the center weight and drop the needle. Voila!
Easier ten fold.
Another important pointer, the center weight, brush AND OUTER RING must be near the TT and at the SAME HEIGHT. Your back will thank you.
Those changes took me over 50 years to figure out and they have literally made my listening to vinyl experience a dream instead of dreading to flip those vinyl. 
Please share any tip you may have to ease up the physical burden that some older folks here may have about using vinyl. Thanks.

128x128baylinor

Showing 3 responses by pindac

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,471 posts
 
Ease of Access makes thing so much more comfortable and build confidence.
I had a TT set up a HiFi Enthusiasts show once where it was slightly lower than the Knee on a Support Plinth.
A Brand New Needle had a few skates during the day and I rolled backwards and was legs akimbo in a room that was full with attendees of the show.

At home the TT is set up at approximately 4 feet in height, this is the b est for my practices, and the Grandchildren are not even focused on it when it is passed by.

I have a Lamp placed on the Sub Plinth, this works great for illuminating the LP and Cartridge.
Also a Q Up device or similar to lift the Tonearm at the end of a replay,
if it can be utilised ?, gives reassurances to a Cartridge security,
if a slowness or sleepiness is set in at the end of a Replay.

As for Vinyl Care, if the LP is not feeling too secure in a trusted usual grip.
A pair of easy on/off artefact handling gloves will allow for a improved hold on the LP without contaminating it.
I use Nitrile Gloves when cleaning and these are reassuring,, but a alternative material used for the Glove can be used.
As crazy as it might sound, a glove of choice with Micro Fibre Cloth Finger Tips sewn on, could be the ideal method.
I've had a search and discovered these in the Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SWISS-REIMAGINED-Microfibre-Inspection-Stretchable/dp/B01FTZ135G


pindac's avatar
pindac
2,471 posts
 
The Q Up Tonearm Lifter I bought did not allow for it to be set up on my SP10 MKII TT.
The Chassis encroaches the required space for set up.
If a Chassis is recessed into the Plinth it might improve on the setting up and allow it to work.

I have not tried it on any of the other TT’s sitting on the Sub’s Bench.
As advised previously , check to see if a Lifter can be positioned correctly to function.

On the subject of Tonearm Control, a Lever Operated Dropper/Lifter for a Tonearm, which is very accurate in a controlled drop speed and maintaining the line of the drop, is for me today a very important tool to trust in.
One that performs to the above standards can quite easily save a valuable cartridge from unwanted occurances.
pindac's avatar
pindac
2,471 posts
 
A Cantilever / Stylus is a Sacrificial Part of a Cartridge and Obviously very very fragile.

My TT started out in Life mounted at a Height of approx 30 inches, I have previosly Stated I have worked with a TT in the recent years at mounted lower than 18 inches.
My TT's at present are Mounted for use at 48 inches.
From all recollections the 48 inch Mount Height offer the most assured handling of the Tonearm, as the Haptics and Visual elements of the operation carried out in a setting where Good Balance is Maintained and the Visual is very accurate when when using Judgement for aligment of the Tonearm.
No More going onto one knee to eye the Stylus to the Groove and no short cuts by Trusting the oversail from a down view and after mistakes made being over compensating.

The Downside of the assured accuracy that can be achieved when a TT is raised to a Mount at approx 48 inches is that the Outer Grooves will let the listener be aware of how much surface noise is being produced.
When Over compensating the Tonearms oversail is used,                          the Track usually starts with a Stylus engaging a Groove beyond any intro's and the Outer Groove is not coming into contact with the Stylus.

Another point of interest would be to learn, if there is a difference in the numbers of Cantiver / Stylus Handling Damages occuring, due to handling a Tonearm on a Low TT Mount vs High TT Mount.

I ask this, as there are always a story to be picked up on,                          where another experienced HiFi Enthusiast is reporting on the unwanted moment, and a Damage is done.    
  
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