Topic: choosing a phono cartridge, turntable and vinyl care and cleaning?

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Looking for some info or a website with how to choose a new phono cartridge, and also some info on keeping my vinyl and turntable in good condition.

I'd like to buy a new cartridge AND something to clean my vinyl. I don't have a very big budget, and don't really play vinyl very often.

I would, like to back up some old records to DVD (in 24 bit), so any tips for that would be appreciated also. My plan for that is to run my turntable > preamp > Edirol UA5 > optical > MacBook (24/48), although I might be persuaded to skip the UA5 and just run straight into the MacBook, if that would be better.

My turntable is just a Numark TT-1910 (which has what I understand is called a "standard" cartridge).

I would say my budget for a cartridge is around $50-$75 (I'd like to keep it closer to $50). No idea on the cleaning equipment, but I would also like to keep that fairly affordable.

THANKS!

-MIKE B

[Kyle]

For serious 'cleaning' I use this system
http://recordrama.com/shop/nfoscomm/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=35
with this
http://recordrama.com/shop/nfoscomm/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=34
and this
http://recordrama.com/shop/nfoscomm/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=33

After a record has been washed, when I play it again, or for just light, general cleaning I use an anti-static cloth designed to clean negatives. Takes a lot of the pops away - def makes for a 'cleaner' listening experience. Similar to this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=24592


edit: don't forget thiis
http://www.pliniusaudio.com/products/koru.asp

[cshepherd]

http://www.needledoctor.com/ is a good resource for vinyl and vinyl accessories.  They sell Numark tables and could probably get you fixed right up. 

Chris

[Tim]

For serious 'cleaning' I use this system
http://recordrama.com/shop/nfoscomm/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=35
with this
http://recordrama.com/shop/nfoscomm/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=34
and this
http://recordrama.com/shop/nfoscomm/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=33

After a record has been washed, when I play it again, or for just light, general cleaning I use an anti-static cloth designed to clean negatives. Takes a lot of the pops away - def makes for a 'cleaner' listening experience. Similar to this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=24592


edit: don't forget thiis
http://www.pliniusaudio.com/products/koru.asp

The phono preamp in my Plinius integrated amp is really wonderful. A dedicated phono preamp by them would probably cause weak knees and spinning head.

symptoms may also include wallet implosion