Enjoying Vinyl Once Again

Saturday mornings were always a problem.  My better half like to sleep in while I seem to be getting up earlier all the time.  Now I always enjoy music with the morning cup of joe.  Just had to keep the volume so low.  So I hauled out some old gear I have not used in years:

--Project Xpression table with nice carbon arm
--Ortofon Super VM 20e
--Bellari VP129 phono preamp with headphone output
--Sennheiser HD580 headphones

Hooked it all up on a small two shelf audio rack next to a comfy listening spot.  Hauled out some old favorites.  I do not have a large LP collection, but I did save most of the LP's of my youth.  Anyone remember Musical Heritage Society?  Used to get those in the mail! They actually made some very nice recordings.  

So three hours just passed.  Wow.  What wonderful sound from an affordable stand alone system.  Strings are silky smooth, brass with nice bite but glows with warmth, wonderful dynamics (funny how CD's on paper are superior in this regard--but listening, my ears tell me otherwise).  

Thought I would share this as maybe someone else might enjoy some old vinyl in a very affordable way.  The sound quality to price ration is huge on this system. No feedback worries. You can use a dustcover!  

It's inspired me to make a custom compact rack with built in headphone cradle, etc.  

I do have two questions:   1)What is your favorite, thin antistatic mat?  2)What is your favorite affordable LP brush/cleaning accessories?  Liked my old discwasher with the angled fibers--that actually seemed to pick up dust where as many brush designs seem to just "move it around".