[bluemike]

Wow
Today was the first time I actually enjoyed the vinyl rig
I had some problems earlier that didn't allow me to hear what vinyl truly offers
Now I understand it when people say vinyl is an "Art form"

Now for a newbie like me what potion lotions cleaning gear do I need to protect my vinyl for a long time
I guess I wanted to start with a cleaning brush and need some suggestions what to look at 

[TheChairGuy]

The positive changes one can make to vinyl are really incremental.  Your talking, primarily, about a mechanical product...not a plug in and play electrical one. Tinkering goes a long way to getting it to sound good...most folks these days don't take the time to do it as they are drawn to other things (cellphone, work, family, computer, etc)

But, for those that tinker relentlessly, you get the best playback of those available...despite it being a 100 year old technology now.

Once you dial in several of them right and your rig is respectable you get that moment where you realize all your efforts are getting similarly priced digital gear was all for naught.

Ruthlessly clean records are a great advance in your listening pleasure.  The benefit in tracking, lower noise and cleaner/clearer treble performance (where you start to realize how bland CD/Redbook is) is much, much better.

John

[twitch54]

Good to hear that you have turned the corner !

As John said properly cleaning is essential and I, like alot of others, believe in a good RCM. I use a VPI 16.5 and would not for the world go back to hand manual cleaning. The consistency of the RCM is just too good ! I also use LAST once the LP is clean.

[bluemike]

Since disposible income is at a minimum a record cleaning machine will have to wait

For the interim what can I use as a stop gap to clean my records
I have seen a DIY cleaning potion that can be made would this be enough
What record brushes are good I need one of these as well

[BobM]

I think many would recommend disk doctor brushes and cleaning solution. It's a relatively inexpensive way to get a superb cleaning kit.

Enjoy,
Bob

[Miney]

I have been pleased with the KAB EV-1.  Yeah it is a manual rotation thing but the results...

[exojam]

I use an old TT as the cleaning platform. Purchased a brush used on the VPI systems for the scrubbing and use a mini shop vac with a modified crevice tool to use as the vacuum section.

I think the VPI brush was about 16 dollars. The mini shop vac was about 25 and a small section of velvet for the crevice tool was a few bucks.

[Listens2tubes]

I'll second the recommendation for the EV-1. Although the DIY route can be almost as inexpensive. 

[2gumby2]

I know what you mean. I didn't start enjoying vinyl until I got a Bel Canto phono stage. That equipment purchase completely transformed my vinyl listening experience and I started buying LPs again.