If you really get the bug and start buying used records at garage sales and thrift stores, then you will need a record cleaning machine for sure. I'd recommend the VPI 16.5. Make sure the suction tube is at the proper height. To low and the tube will crack. Get it just right and the tube will last for years. Also, don't be gentle with the process. Scrub the crapolla out of the record with the VPI brush that's included with the machine.
Another tip ... before playing any record at the beginning of your listening session, dust off the turntable platter. It makes no sense to put a new or clean record on a dusty platter and then get the subsequent tics and pops when you play the flip side of the record.
Buy some of those micro fiber cloths. They are great for dusting everything, including records. Costco sells them in bulk for cheap.
Another tip ... Don't limit yourself to expensive audiophile reissues. You'd be amazed at how great some of those thrift store gems can sound. Yes, you'll have to go through a lot of "frogs" in order to find the "Prince," but that's part of the fun. For the price of one audiophile reissue, you can walk out of a thrift store with 20 to 50 records.
Another tip ... When buying used records, always ask the seller if you can take them outside to look at them in the sunlight. Records can look perfectly fine indoors under fluorescent lights ... but EVERY flaw shows up in the sun.
Another tip ... When looking through the records in a thrift store, always ask if they had a new shipment that hasn't been put out yet. If they say ... "yes, we have some in the back," ask them if you can have a look at them too. That little trick will get you some really sought after records before they get picked through.
Another tip ... before playing any record at the beginning of your listening session, dust off the turntable platter. It makes no sense to put a new or clean record on a dusty platter and then get the subsequent tics and pops when you play the flip side of the record.
Buy some of those micro fiber cloths. They are great for dusting everything, including records. Costco sells them in bulk for cheap.
Another tip ... Don't limit yourself to expensive audiophile reissues. You'd be amazed at how great some of those thrift store gems can sound. Yes, you'll have to go through a lot of "frogs" in order to find the "Prince," but that's part of the fun. For the price of one audiophile reissue, you can walk out of a thrift store with 20 to 50 records.
Another tip ... When buying used records, always ask the seller if you can take them outside to look at them in the sunlight. Records can look perfectly fine indoors under fluorescent lights ... but EVERY flaw shows up in the sun.
Another tip ... When looking through the records in a thrift store, always ask if they had a new shipment that hasn't been put out yet. If they say ... "yes, we have some in the back," ask them if you can have a look at them too. That little trick will get you some really sought after records before they get picked through.