Do you have ways to ease use of vinyl?

I'm 68 with knee and hip issues. Recently I had a TT die.  I replaced it with a Technics SL-10 full auto linear tracking TT.  I'm pretty happy with it's ease of use and performance.  It has a Ortofon OMP10 cartridge with OM30 stylus which I really enjoy.  My TT's are roughly 30" off the floor, using the SL-10, I can bend over slightly and mount an LP, close the lid and press play.  My SL-1210 is better but not by much.  Also, at 62, I started daily exercising with a focus on walking.  Exercising and altering the way I do things is keeping out of replacement part surgery for the present. 

Looks like a great piece.    The price is really pushing me away. 
Found a much less expensive one, but you get what you pay for in this game.  
   Back to manual operation........l.
:)

Garrard record flipper  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfI21OD4gcs 
Capehart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q342zZx4id0
Lincoln turn over changer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFcrEta9HKk

Yes, it's been done before.

@arcticdeath - the company is Integrity HIFi, but this is sold only through dealers. Usually, you can order through a dealer and Integrity will drop ship it to you. I would call them to make sure you order the right size. They might know of a dealer close to you that isn't in their listing, like mine wasn't.

https://www.integrityhifi.ca/

dealers are at https://www.integrityhifi.ca/dealer-listings

They're not supposed to discount, but my dealer did. Don't tell Tina at Integrity, she wouldn't be happy. She is very helpful and nice and helped me when I was too stupid to figure out how to install it exactly as intended, and helped me find damping fluid after I dropped the thing and it was then lifting too quickly. Even had a video on how to add damping fluid.

@sokogear.
Try-lift.......huh......looking for it now....

tru lift link?   Website..?

@articdeath - get yourself a Tru Lift as I mentioned above. No more worries about late night listening and falling asleep.Turntable will still spin, but at least your stylus won't touch the record and wear out prematurely. There's cheaper options out there too, but not as good. You don't want any auto return function on a turntable - simplest is best. Other motors add noise.

My TT sits atop a 5” thick polished granite slab, on top of my downstairs stereo cabinet, the top of the TT cover is just higher than my chest (about even with my nipples) (I’m just under 6’ 1)

    It’s perfect, no bending, no tiptoe-ing, easy to dust the LPs’ before play, easy flipping/reading labels, etc etc. 
   the other TT sits at my desk (average sitting desk height) 
She is about just over waist height standing,..... when I use that TT to download to my computer, I’m sitting down using my computer,......when sitting down, it’s just about chest height also,..makes easy to flip, dust LPs’, etc. 
   this just happened the past oh,....8 years. Previously,  our old place we lived in, all I had was a 2 tier coffee table, TT was at or just above my knees, so the boss (wife) one year bought me one of those kneeling pads, some new fangled  space gel/gushy stuff to kneel on, as in order to flip, I had to get on my knees (keep your minds out the gutter ;). 
   Love playing the records, my only regret is late night listening, I tend to drift off leaving the TT spinning, 
    My only gripe of those Technics SL-1200’s, they don’t have a auto return/off function.    Never heard any degradation in sound or wear on the stylus from many years of this.   

@mijostyn - I’ve never had any issues with the Tru lift other than forgetting to reset it after it lifts the arm from a record before I put another record on. Of course then it restricts the arm from moving and makes it skip. It happened once in a while when I first got it, but now that I’ve had it for a good while, it might happen once or twice a month when I forget what a great option I now have.

Maybe a unipivot arm could have this issue, but Regas use gimbal arms, which are much easier to use IMO.

The Integrity Tru Lift has one serious flaw, it's lift bar is solid metal and slippery. The anti skating force can cause the tonearm to slide back off the lift bar and bounce on the record. You will have to do something like pad the upper surface of the bar with Velcro or something else that will keep the arm from slipping off. 

Only 66 and you’re physically challenged? 66 isn’t old, that’s my age. I’ve some health issues but I’m as flexible as ever. Guess I should count my blessings. 

Now age 67 I have a rack that puts the platter just below my chin where I can easily see the stylus, a lift that gently lowers the stylus, tables that shim for VTA and no fiddly unipivot tonearm.  I set it and forget it for a year at a time now.  I’ve recently discovered that mm and mi cartridges bring classic rock to life, mc not so much.  Life is good.

For me, too much listening preparation detracts from the experience.  I keep my records clean.  I give each side a quick brush before listening.  I wipe the stylus every few records with a soft dry brush.  I use a clamp only for records that need it.  I don't want to have to stop and start the motor after each side.  I just want to listen to the music.  I don't want the cleaning ritual to get in the way of that.

Hi bayliner
I do relate to the body changes over time... 75 this Thursday.  
Trust, this is NOT a vinyl vs digital.  I have great respect and some envy for vinyl playback.  My musician son has a lovely retro Dual 1229 w/Shure M97xE, Rega Mira 3 integrated, into SA1530 MTM floorstanders. 

In the late 90s, I had a full, post Allen Perkins SOTA Star Sapphire, vacuum with all the trimmings.  Digital finally reached my emotions.   I simply did not have the budget to chase both.  Out went the vinyl.

My good fortune is finding skilled assistance in the digital world.  Great digital playback requires knowledge and skills.  A nearby friend with a uber vinyl front has sold everything but select vinyl, that he's selling by the piece.  His passion for great sound equals mine.  I truly enjoyed visiting, but, he is downsizing and the vinyl is going. 

Does the best of the best shootout fall on the analog side?  Probably?  It shares the most vocal, certainly.  My experience says things are pretty close, emotionally, where it matters.  I do like a good tube(s) in the chain somewhere.   A blue collar budget can certainly do well either way right now.  For me, having worked my system very hard over the last 20 years, the digital equals, and in some ways surpasses the best analog front I've experienced. 

If I had the space and the proper budget (maybe $30K to start) would I have a turntable system.  YES.  Do I regret my choice?  Absolutely not.  My sources are lossless rips of well chosen CDs to my PC and TIDAL streaming...Qobuz is good too.  My Foobar settings are 24/96 playback.  I've experimented with higher resolution, but have settled on 24/96 (for now.)  Everything is absolutely stable in function. 

Searching a favorite artist, say Joni, Ry, Janis, Feat, composers (you choose), music genres to explore, it's difficult to argue against the magic of streaming and the ease.  Finding near entire discographies on selected artists is simply amazing.  Plus, the side roads to which they lead. 

Guys, find expert help, let them remote into your computer to set things to run well, and enjoy life!  Vinyl lovers, LOVE!  More Peace, Pin  

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.    
  

Interesting thread topic.

I try to keep my vinyl as accessible as possible, in open shelves.

My turntable is atop one of my equipment racks which puts it at chest height, which I find the most ergonomic both for back/arms and also for easily seeing the record label, and the record grooves when placing the needle.

I would think that this is pretty easy.

For 45 years, since I was 22, my table has rested on a cabinet that’s bolted to a brick wall. The cabinet height is about a standard 36 inches. The turntable surface is 41.5" high. When I am holding an LP, I’m standing straight up, my arms are bent almost to 90 degrees but slightly up. Clamping is a breeze. I don’t bother with a ring. I never clean or brush a record on the table: I do that at the record cleaning machine, which is about an inch higher.

tablejocke: my room is not 100% dedicated, but all that’s up here are my books, my records, audio system, my computer and my dog. The room is semi-anechoic, by design.

We pull a lot of vinyl out at a time to play an assortment of stuff.....so to ease repetitive motions and save time.....

Filtered air and humidified with D/W and super clean records means no dust or cleaning needed before play.  Ridiculously clean.  Absolutely no noise.  If dusting is needed I use air compression (Industrial compressor in the basement and run a hose up) on a remote switch.  So much easier and more effective than brushing. 

Used to ionize the air but not needed anymore. 

I use a remote desktop program to control the audio computer as the TT goes through the D/A converter.  

CD resolution is too low.  Most LPs that are any good are recorded at 192-24.

Changed the chair height.  A few inches helped a lot.

For me, CDs solved the problem of TT ergonomics, storage space, inconvenience, and failing hearing all at once.

Best tonearm lifter is the Tru-Lift from Integrity Hifi in Canada. Smooth as butter and built great. They are super nice, and are glad to talk to you, but only sell through dealers. They basically configure it with stainless steel discs to make the height fit your turntable. For me, the Tru Lift doesn't even touch the plinth. Anyone with a Rega P8 or P10 should absolutely get one of these things. They also know a lot about turntables, and even make what they say is a fantastic arm that doesn't touch the plinth for $4K. I would look at that if I wanted to spend double on a table versus what I have. They also have a duster that picks up dust while the record is playing (I don't like that idea on my table). It is the greatest thing that Tru Lift, and to not have to worry the stylus is wearing out and you may hear some noise. It's not cheap, but worth every dime. Price varies by height of the device. I got it about 9 months ago and wish I knew about them 10 years ago when I would have been willing to fork over the $300. Tina answers the phone there and is very nice.

Another issue is where are you keeping the records. My records are inside a credenza/cabinets where my stereo sits on top, only a few inches off the ground so it's a deep bend to get them out, but I leave them out until there are about 15 total in 3 different sections before I put them back. Getting them out one at a time is easier than replacing them. When the day comes and I can't bend down easily all the way, I'll have to get some kind of rack so they're a few feet off the ground. That'll be a major "discussion" with the wife.

Table is about 3" high since I put it on a wall shelf - something else I would recommend if you can do it. Perfect height, a slight bend.

My turntable company (Rega) does not recommend or tolerate anything that adds weight to the table, so for me it is easy, just brush the record (outer to inner turning the brush up on the second swipe), my records are all very clean (and they are never left out when not in a mofi sleeve and a jacket with vinyl sleeve, so no record cleaning machine - 95% of my records were bought new), so just  drop the stylus and you're done. No clamps or weights. And if I can't get back right away, no anxiety. Maybe some of you guys would benefit from getting away from all these contraptions and simplify life with a Rega.

I think getting up out of a chair is good for you every 20 minutes, even better yet, enjoy the even better quality of 45's and get up every 10 or so.

My problem is the price of new vinyl....Back in the 60s-70s I would go to Korvetts ,Mays,Alexandrs and get albums on sale for$ 2.29 -3.19 those were the days my friends....

Copper infused socks so i don’t receive a static shock every time I touch my tt!

I have one system with a turntable at 18" and another on a custom stand at 31". The 18" is standard rack height and OK, but hell when I need to do cartridge work as my knees aren't what they used to be. Not bad for playing, though.

I much prefer the higher stand (not just because the turntable in that system is too big to fit a normal shelf).

If you guys have normal sized turntables, consider finding a Target TT1 turntable wall mount and screw it to your wall studs at whatever height best suits your back.

I rip all my albums to CDs. So much easier

Melm, you are a genius.

It seems to me that if you see visible dust after brushing, you shoud invest in covers for you r LP's.  By brushing backwards, it seems that any leftover dust would be on the styks side of the pits, instead of the non-attacked side. 

"I like the looks of a $20,000 turn table.  However, after the first play the quality goes down."

Hi Larry, looks like you've been sold a turkey with that turntable.

@dekay 

Nice. 

"Do you have ways to ease use of vinyl?"

I find that a light powdering of super fine cornstarch definately aids one slipping into vinyl.

DeKay

Like many, platter height is higher - 50" up. Lets me see what I'm doing without having to bend over. Bad back, neck and right rotator cuff. 

I clean everything I get, then sleeve record in Mofi sleeves. Put the album cover in a plastic outer, and just slide the record in the MoFi sleeve into that - on the outside of the record cover. 

Less strain on shoulder as it's one thing to remove from the outer sleeve.

Also made a records to be played flip storage. Holds about 20 or so records. Go through the collection, pull a bunch of material and fill it. Still have to go through the main set when I urgently need to listen to something that pops into my head, but I find this a bit easier for me. Plus, I keep the collection in rotation,

Have a small shelf I added to my rack, to the right of the TT and thats where I keep my clamp/record brush/stylus cleaner.

Next rack I build is going to be double width so I can place components side by side. It'll make it a little bit lower overall, but I find I'm wanting the extra shelving. And once I build the platform for the TT, I suspect it shouldn't be too much lower.

"I have seen way too many doctors. The primary every 6 months and currently seeing specialists for the ears, dry eyes and dermatologist. At least I haven't had to see my cardiologist for a few years."

baylinor-yup, I can relate to that...I've got a Nascar pit crew of specialists head to toe. 

" was a professional snow skier into my early thirties, so that was that" These days, my knees wouldn't last a complete run on the "easiest" bump trails, but I can still handle most everything else-just slower...much slower!

I'm envious of anyone who has a standalone audio room. I'm sure your setup sounds great. VPI Classic user here. Ever get the urge to go BIG on speakers? I see a room waiting for them.

The stereo logo was awesome!

Indeed. Now back to the subject at hand, there is an obvious solution. How audiophile it is will depend as usual on the details. But it will be hard to make record playing any easier - or more beautiful! - than this:   

https://youtu.be/OtzS-6GtfGg?t=38

Thanks MC for pointing out the idiocracy of such poster. Anyone who doesn't post their system holds very little trustworthiness, if any.

You must be in great shape!
However this is completely besides the point of the post, which is what would make your vinyl listening experience easier.

So instead you stream, which is 100% noise. Sigh.

Speaking of Idiocracy, I think I found the chair you use.
https://youtu.be/smtSv3e04vM?t=52

I just sit on my sofa with my cell phone using my BlueSound Node2i and selecting from a huge library.  No brushing or cleaning.  No noise!
I wish I could figure out why people use vinyl?  I like the looks of a $20,000 turn table.  However, after the first play the quality goes down.  When I played vinyl I noticed the noise.

I don’t even bother to play CD’s today.  You have to get up, find the CD and after playing eject the CD and begin the process all over again.  

I have a VPI Prime TT on a rack at chest ht. I also use a VPI outer ring to couple the record to the platter. I installed a TRU-lift to raise the arm but I attached a small strip of the soft side of a velcro on the top of the lifter that contacts the underneath of the arm and it prevents the thump when the lift triggers and the arm will not 'walk' off the lift. When I feel I've imbibed too much I switch to my CDs. Still sounds great and saves on hours of my cartridge lol. Happy listening.

Like others I have always kept my turntable at 42" and I am 5'7" Aside from not having to bend over it puts the table at a great height for visualizing set up, etc. In terms of convenience I'm afraid peripheral rings are a PITA and an accident waiting to happen. IMHO the two best clamping methods are of either the SME reflex scheme or vacuum type.
I never use a hand held brush. I use a conductive sweep arm which collects incidental dust and discharges the record keeping static and dust collection to a minimum. I always use a dust cover during play and have found that a dust cover that is isolated from the platter and tonearm improves playback. Mark Dohmann has also found this to be true and is working on an isolated dust cover for the Helix tables. 
I also use an Audio Technica tonearm lift which IMHO is a must. It removes the stress of having to get to the table to stop the Ka-thunking.
A word of warning. There is one auto lift on the market that uses a metal lift platform. DO NOT get that one!!! The metal has no grip. The antiskating force slowly pulls the arm backwards off the lift dumping it on the record then blocking the tonearms progress causing a permanent skip in the record. The Audio Technica lift has a hard rubber lift platform which has more grip but even so I had to grind a little depression in the platform where it contacts the tonearm to hold the arm in place.  

I have a $3,800 Lyra Kleos. The reason I never have any issues dropping it in the right spot is if I have one too many beers I switch to my CD player 😉

@skyscraper,

I don't know what I can tell you without seeing your set-up.  Mine is an older but simple VPI arm base.  The ring slips over the end of the lift.  The actual ring I used was in a small package of assorted O-rings I got in an auto supply store.

The EXACT placement of the ring must be done VERY carefully by trial and error.  It will take several tries.  But once done, the placement of the stylus on the lead-in groove is easy and repeatable.

@baylinor,

Mine is also a TT Weights ring.  They are not the thinnest made.  But ANY ring can ruin a stylus.  That's a chance I would rather not take with  a $1k stylus.

"Audio TTW extreme V2 outer ring, about 2/3 of the cost of the VPI and maybe better"

Thanks baylinor. I’ll look that up today.

I did some research on tonearm pickup devices last night following mwinks suggestion and found a couple of promising choices; the "Little Fwend" coming in first, and the "IntegrityHiFi Trulift" automatic tonearm lifter second thus far.

Mike

Like hobo1452, I sold my vinyl over 30 years ago or rather traded them all in for cd's. About a year ago I decided to get back into vinyl. I had already built a rack and there was this very convenient place on top for a turntable. Of course that led to going mono amps and more rack system and on and on. At 72 though, I am having a blast searching for the vinyl I gave up and adding to the rack. My vinyl flipper though refuses to work as she thinks I am crazy. 

@skyscraper
Audio TTW extreme V2 outer ring, about 2/3 of the cost of the VPI and maybe better.
@noromance
Resonance.

I don't believe for one minute the effectiveness of sweeping of a disc is any different whether it is done inwards or outwards.  On a 20 minute 33.33 side the groove 666 times so the inward 'advantage' is just 0.12mm.  And I don't want dust all over the label that will go back in the sleeve and mingle in the grooves.

Has anyone else noticed SQ improves with the TT at chest height compared with 24 inches above the floor?  Or is it just that my back aches less?
See many other posts on false subjective impressions of SQ improvement.

The advantages LPs just go on and on; you have to get up every 20 minutes and walk from your chair to the TT and back.  Big boost to the cardio-vascular system compared with streaming when you don't need to move once in a four hour session.

Borrow the best turntable setup you can get access to and digitize all your records with a high end A/D. Problem solved.

I got smart 16 years ago. Some in here are just SLOW.

my table is just below chest height. Makes everything visible, easy, and painless. Even doing alignments are very easy; I have 107 cartridges so I align often. 

As for using brushes, when are you folks going to learn that using brushes and vacuums are 40 years out of date!!! Sheesh!! There’s a much better way to remove surface dust and lint, even micro dirt, as well as neutralize static, than carbon fiber brushes, Discwasher pads, sprays and vacuums, or Zerostat guns????

Get with it folks!!

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.

Thanks mwink. I'll do that.

Mike

@skyscraper, If you Google: tonearm lifter, you'll find at least a dozen devices that lift a tonearm up at the end of an album. They range from $39 up to $350+.
If you add the word: review,  at the end, you'll find reviews... although it would be interesting to see some opinions here as well.