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Post by mepositive on Dec 15, 2013 10:40:50 GMT -5
In the last 18 months since I began my Vinyl journey, I have taken an immense liking to the experience. From my signature, you'd see that I have a pretty decent set up.
Now with over 300 records in my collection, most of them bought at shows or off Ebay. Most are NM or M condition, but they still are old copies used by someone and who knows how much of the SQ is hidden in dirt that I cannot see. I also buy approx 10-20 new records each month.
I now have the opportunity to splurge some money on a good cleaner. Assuming that money is not the prime determinant, can you suggest what you'd recommend. My initial choice seems to be between VPI HW-17 or the HW-27. But maybe there are options out there that are better and I am just not aware.
Appreciate your opinions.
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Post by audiobill on Dec 15, 2013 11:31:12 GMT -5
Mix a little isopropyl alcohol with a little dawn, wash in sink with soft toothbrush, rinse thoroughly, dry on dishrack.
Place in new static proof sleeves, save $.
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Post by novisnick on Dec 15, 2013 11:31:56 GMT -5
I have researched a little and believe either would be better then the Spin Clean I'm hoping for Christmas.
I've been doing a poor job on my vinyl by hand so far. I got what I got so far!
Good luck and let us know what you do and give us a review when you purchase.
Peace,
Nick
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Post by novisnick on Dec 15, 2013 11:57:36 GMT -5
Mix a little isopropyl alcohol with a little dawn, wash in sink with soft toothbrush, rinse thoroughly, dry on dishrack. Place in new static proof sleeves, save $. Really? A toothbrush?,,,,wow! Very little Dawn,,,rite? Making lots of bubbles,,,,,,He,,,,,He,,,,,,He,,,,,,, Nick |
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Post by audiobill on Dec 15, 2013 12:02:56 GMT -5
Really. works great.
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Post by novisnick on Dec 15, 2013 13:22:18 GMT -5
I'll try it, thanks audiobill.
St. Nick
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Post by lionear on Dec 15, 2013 13:23:11 GMT -5
You need to have a vacuum system otherwise the dirt will never be lifted off the record. And the main enemy for vinyl is static electricity which will draw dust particles onto the surface. And once you start using it you'll clean your records every time before you play them. Life's too short! I have a VPI 16.5, and before that I had a Nitty-Gritty. They're both great and I would have kept using the Nitty-Gritty if it could have been switched to 110V. You might also want to check out the Okki Nokki www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4jsr13V6ao. I really wan this one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr7bXNiiEnM. VPI sells a a cleaning fluid called RCMF and looking at the label, it looks like the active ingredient is a surfactant - something that reduces the surface tension of water. Logical enough, since the inner grooves are at around the wavelength of light! I bought Kodak PhotoFlo - a surfactant used for developing photos - and I'm going to mix my own fluid. I'd use distilled water because the tap water in my area is acidic. The pH is about 4! I've heard that one should stay away from alcohol as it might dissolve stuff out of the vinyl. However, I've also read that a bit of alcohol should be fine if the record is particularly dirty (perhaps with grease?). So one can use a range of fluids, depending on needs. Not sure I'd use a detergent like Dawn because they leave a film. |
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Post by audiobill on Dec 15, 2013 13:23:23 GMT -5
Just think how much harder diamond is than a soft toothbrush........
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Post by novisnick on Dec 15, 2013 13:28:06 GMT -5
Great point!!!!!!
How about a Brillo pad,,,,,,,,He,,,,,He,,,,,,He,,,,,,,
I'm such a smart a,,,s,,,,,,,that loves to poke fun
Thanks again, Great advice from a true sage!
St. Nick
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Post by audiobill on Dec 15, 2013 13:39:59 GMT -5
Do they make a machine for hard drives, too?  |
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Post by novisnick on Dec 15, 2013 15:36:48 GMT -5
Mix a little isopropyl alcohol with a little dawn, wash in sink with soft toothbrush, rinse thoroughly, dry on dishrack. Place in new static proof sleeves, save $. hey Bill, I'm getting a lot of fuzz,lint, on my needle, even after cleaning. Am I not getting deep enough into the grooves? I don't want to damage 35 year old LPs. On another Question if you don't mind. Would you spend $100.00 on a stylus/needle for a Technics SL-23 TT. I bought it new in 1976 and is in great shape, boxed up in 1978. Its clean with a new belt and cheap stylus. Ive set up the TT with all the rite tools etc. I just think it may sound better with a better stylus or would it be a waist of money? Everyone is welcome to reply. Peace, St. Nick |
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Post by audiobill on Dec 15, 2013 16:32:54 GMT -5
Get a "nostatic Brush" to use each playing.
You probably want a new cartridge .......Grados are nice....
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Post by novisnick on Dec 15, 2013 17:13:26 GMT -5
Get a "nostatic Brush" to use each playing. You probably want a new cartridge .......Grados are nice.... I do have a brush I use before playing each side but I guess the lint is deeper in the grooves. any thoughts of an Ortofon 2M Red? What dolor cap would you put on a new cartridge? Nick |
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Post by audiobill on Dec 15, 2013 17:22:24 GMT -5
Nick,
Google SL 23
Lots of discussion and advice......
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Post by novisnick on Dec 15, 2013 17:29:23 GMT -5
Thanks Bill, last time I did that I didn't find anything,,,,this time there is some reading to do.
I omitted, Technics this time.
Thanks again.
Nick
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Post by Gary Cook on Dec 15, 2013 17:52:25 GMT -5
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Post by trinhsman on Dec 15, 2013 19:01:28 GMT -5
The VPI's are great machines, but for 1/5th the cost, the Spin Clean does a really nice job. I used to use Dawn mixed with warm water, then rubbed lightly with the grooves, with your fingers. Rinse well and dry with a lint free cloth. Really cleaned up the records quite nicely. When, and I do mean WHEN I have an extra 5-600 dollars for a "record cleaner", I may spring for it, but until then......my Spin Clean does just fine.
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Post by drtrey3 on Dec 15, 2013 19:29:10 GMT -5
Years ago I got the cheapest vacuum unit on one of the mail order sites. I use the Disc Doctor products and am careful to only have the machine vacuum off a distilled water rinse after the disc doctor solution has been blotted off the initially rinsed with the first distilled water rinse. The point is to not have the vacuum cleaner sucking up the dirty, used cleaning solution as it would contaminate the vinyl from the residue on the velvet pads next to the vacuum slit.
Or something like that. But it works great and that cheapest unit works like a charm over a decade later!
Trey
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Post by drtrey3 on Dec 15, 2013 19:31:58 GMT -5
And I mean this in the nicest way possible, but I won't use a generic or home brew product to clean my records. The Disc Doctor stuff is purpose made and works great. It is more expensive than household cleaners, but I feel more confident and comfortable using a purpose made solution.
Trey
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Post by sidvicious on Dec 16, 2013 5:40:44 GMT -5
This is what I use, I have a spin clean, an original Record Doctor (Vacuum Machine) and a VPI 16.5 (Vacuum Machine) (I bought each of these at separate times in my life) For you I would recommend the spin clean and either a VPI 16.5 or a VPI MW-1 Cyclone Record Cleaning Machine. The new Cyclone cleans forward or reverse, price 999.99, VPI 16.5 $550.00 to 650.00 and the turntable only moves forward. My process is I take the dirty records and I use Distilled water in the Spin Clean, and the cleaner that Spin Clean gives you to put on the pads and I do five revolutions each direction and two reverse ones, where I move the record forward and reverse a couple of time to complete one complete revolution (basically scrubbing the record).
I then wipe them with the supplied towels and allow them to dry 15-20 minutes on a drying rack. I like using the Spin Clean because I can take filthy record right to the rinse and with the VPI I have to worry about getting the mat dirty and tube dirty (contamination). With the supplied towels if they are not washed prior to use they will shed on the record, not much though. I later take the records upstairs and use the Vpi 16.5 and remove any remaining dirt or residue. For the VPI I use Distilled water with a cap full of Hydrogen Peroxide, one splash of Dawn dish-washing soap, two caps of 91 percent Isopropyl Alcohol and I mix this in a spray bottle or original VPI cleaning bottle that came with the VPI 16.5. Some times I will use Distilled water as just a rinse and when I'm done, you can eat off the record.
The Record Doctor Machine was bought before the Spin Clean or VPI and I use it on real stubborn records by taking the machine downstairs and using Dawn directly on the record and using a special brush, the one you use when you are painting between corners and I scrub forward and backwards five times, rinsing between each time both sides takes 20-30 minutes for one record (this method isn't used very often)and I I vacuum the record with the Record Doctor and take it upstairs and clean it with the VPI again. I will sometimes use Gruv Glide if there is any static. The records are either pristine or as good as they are ever gone to be, but they are mostly silent after this unless there is permanent groove damage. The Okki Nokki is a good machine and moves in forward and reverse. I stay away from lint free towels as a primary drying agent due to static build up. The Spin Clean towels do an okay job, but I don't rely on them for my final clean. I buy between 10-40 records a month. I applaud everyone for having their own cleaning method as long as you are doing something and use an Anti-Static brush, like a Hunt before putting needle to groove and keep your Stylus Clean (I use Onzow ZeroDust and a Last liquid solution with brush on my stylus). Good luck on what every you choose, just have a routine and stick with it and enjoy those records!!!
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