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Returning to Vinyl

Now planning a return to vinyl listening after a nearly 40-year hiatus and need some basic help. Although I do still own a functional mid-fi system (Goldring GR1.2 TT with preinstalled arm, Goldring Elektra MM cart, Cambridge Duo phono pre), long gone are the battery-powered vibrating stylus cleaning brush, the Nitty Gritty record cleaning machine, the LAST LP treatment solution with the big wide application brush, and even the MHS archive-quality replacement sleeves. I know there are several cleaning machines on the market and am willing to spend something reasonable (<$1k), but beyond that I'm clueless.
Q1. How necessary is a cleaning machine for an occasional (say, 3x/mo.) vinyl listener with irreplaceable LPs?
Q2. If needed, which product delivers most bang for the buck? 
Q3. Same questions re stylus cleaning devices.
Q4. Same questions re record preservation treatments.
Q5. Tracking/alignment/pressure have not been checked or adjusted since acquisition despite two moves. Are there still shops performing these services? 

Advance thanks for all useful advice.
hickamore
hickamore OP
531 posts
 
armstrod
Looks like a nifty device which maybe even I can learn to use. Some DIY will be necessary for me, living far from metro hotbeds and not wanting to haul delicate TTs around on road trips. But where do I find mfr's recommended VTF for any particular cartridge? Maybe online somewhere? Need to begin by cleaning and optimizing the cart I've got before considering upgrades.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,221 posts
 
How many records do you have? You can go to any retail web site like Elusive Disc and the VTF will be in the Cartridge's Specs. 
wyoboy
234 posts
 
As some have said, not essential-just convenient; however, you don't need a machine if you follow this advice on record cleaning:
Neil Antin's paper is thorough and evaluates all types of machines--but his process does not involve anything but easily obtainable cleaner and regular household items--the process is covered in Chapter V if that's all you want to read:  https://thevinylpress.com/app/uploads/2021/03/PAC-Vinyl-Records_2021-03-01_pdf.pdf                                                             (Note:  the "Vinylstack" label protector is no longer available as they've gone out of business but you can improvise
hickamore OP
531 posts
 
mijostyn
Got 300-400 LPs, some duplicates and/or different pressings, virgin vinyl, half-speed mastered, etc.
Will definitely check Elusive Disc, which I'd never heard of. Last time I spun vinyl, there was no such thing as a website to find such information.
wyoboy
Will check the referenced paper. If I end up doing more and more vinyl, a machine will certainly become the right move.
ghdprentice
6,404 posts
 
Given some investments you are in for a real treat. Unless you treated your disks really badly (as in scratched) they are capable of tremendous sound. Also turntables and associated equipment has gotten orders of magnitude better at all price points. A disk cleaner (I use a VPI) can return disks to like new condition and contemporary cartridges can drop deeper into worn record groove and yield spectacular sound. With contemporary turntables noise simply disappears and the cleaning machine eliminates pops and ticks. I haven’t taken a hiatus from vinyl but I remember steps that took me beyond what I thought was possible… over and over again. 

I still use Last preservative after cleaning.
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