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Post by mepositive on Jul 11, 2014 15:42:59 GMT -5
Over the last year of so I have bought a large number of records - guessing there is over 200 with over 80% being bought from Ebay as Used. Plus I have a very gracious neighbor who has given me his entire collection of over 100 records - they have all been stored in his garage for over 20 years. They are dirty/dusty but the records themselves look in good shape.
So I figured the next purchase on my list should be a good record cleaner. They seem quite a few options out there and many individuals who keep insisting on doing so with alternate or relatively cheaper options. But given the size of my collection and the fact that I plan to buy many many records over the subsequent years, I am of the view that it will probably be best to invest in a very good machine. Price is not my constraint - efficiency, durability, ease, speed, and limited-mess while running the machine are key.
Based on your experience, could you suggest one that will be best at improving the 'efficiency' of the cleaning process. Greatly appreciate your advice.
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Post by novisnick on Jul 11, 2014 17:00:23 GMT -5
Hi, I haven't looked too deeply into a more expensive unit because the price is a limiting factor to me. I do love a great bang for the buck,,,,,,that's why I'm making this post, so I don't hit the purchase button on the Emotiva web sight for a set of XPA-1Ls,,,,,,oh, I WANT them so bad,,,,,,,,,,,,
So, as I was saying, you'd be surprised how quickly I cleaned my collection of about the same size as yours,,,,,,250 LPs and it only took a few listening sessions while I cleaned my LPs with the Spin Clean, it is relaxing as another has said. I'm very limited with my time,,,truly have my hand in more projects then my wife cares for.
But time with my LPs SC machine and spinning vinyl all at the same time ,,,IS relaxing.
I do understand not wanting to bother or spend topi me doing a chore though. To each his own, just keep spinning and enjoying my friend!
Now, where's that page to make that purchase,,,,,,,,No,!!, Stop!!, I must not Buy More Amps!!!!!!!!!!
Help!!!!
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Post by lionear on Jul 11, 2014 20:41:06 GMT -5
I suggest investing in a cleaner that has a vacuum suction system. Like Nitty Gritty, VPI or Okki Nokki. There's something to lifting the dirty water clear off the record. I had a Nitty Gritty and I was very happy with it. I had to sell that off as it didn't match the voltage of where I was going to. I got the entry-level VPI and I'm very happy with it. If you're going to clean with different cleaning liquids and then do a rinse, then the VPI design has the edge over the Nitty Gritty.
These are very effective and most importantly, very quick. And once you have a cleaner with a vacuum suction system..... you'll want to clean your LP before listening..... every time. :-)
The next level up are the cleaners with (real) suction pumps. These are much more expensive and I'm not sure that there are any advantages. In addition, they look like they take longer to clean the record.
I don't have direct experience with the Spin Clean - do you have to air dry the LP's?
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Post by autiger on Jul 11, 2014 20:53:06 GMT -5
I used the spin clean then rinsed in another spin clean wiped excess water then used a file holder (desk top type) to let air dry. Then put vinyl into a sleeve then the jacket and sleeved vinyl into an outer sleeve. I could do 38 albums in an hour, complete. And would do them watching tv or while listening to music. Cleaned about 350 albums with no problem. Brought back great memories. Also totally cataloged and organized my collection during the cleaning process.
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Post by jedinite24 on Jul 14, 2014 8:50:29 GMT -5
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Post by briank on Jul 14, 2014 9:18:49 GMT -5
I use a Spin Clean but if price is not an issue then the VPI 16.5 would be my choice.
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Post by USNRet on Jul 14, 2014 9:23:52 GMT -5
I use the VPI 16.5. Paid my son .10 per album to clean.
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Post by jedinite24 on Jul 14, 2014 12:40:37 GMT -5
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insightfulman
Minor Hero
Have you seen the 6 fingered man?
Posts: 48 
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Post by insightfulman on Jul 14, 2014 12:46:28 GMT -5
I also vote for VPI 16.5. When i was looking for one I tried Nitty Gritty 2.5 and othets but I think VPI 16.5 represents the best value so I went with that and have been very happy with it since.
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Post by lionear on Jul 14, 2014 14:22:16 GMT -5
And while we're on the subject: The Library of Congress and the Canadian Conservation Institute "recommends the use of non-ionic, ethylene oxide condensates surfactants to clean sound recordings". E.g: - Kodak PhotoFlo; - Tergitol 15-S-7 (made by Dow Chemical); - Triton X (made by Dow Chemical). PhotoFlo contains Triton X. And here's the recipe they use: www.loc.gov/preservation/care/record.htmlI use Triton X (200 to 1 dilution). |
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Post by mepositive on Jul 15, 2014 8:55:22 GMT -5
Thanks all.
I decided on and have purchased the VPI Cyclone. Should have it delivered soon and cannot wait to see if/how much better the vinyls could sound.
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Post by mepositive on Jul 15, 2014 18:34:35 GMT -5
Just an update...
I got the Cyclone this evening and immediately went to work ! Cleaned about 5 records - from really messed to brand new. Except for the brand new, I could notice significant change in clarity, depth of tones, and many obvious cops/pops were gone or significantly reduced.
Beautiful machine - gives me the confidence to walk into record stores that sell used records and get them home !!
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Post by USNRet on Jul 15, 2014 19:15:04 GMT -5
Nice. Even new ones have the parting agent left over from the pressing. One cleaning cycle will remove that and prevent any mold / mildew from the humidity acting on the parting agent. Once cleaned and inserted in a good rice paper insert the album will only need a brushing or at worse a flood of CLEAN water. No need to do the scrubbing again. Look for laboratory rated water on line and save a bunch. Do not use tap or distilled water as the minute mineral particles left will negate your work.
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Post by novisnick on Jul 15, 2014 19:30:57 GMT -5
Nice. Even new ones have the parting agent left over from the pressing. One cleaning cycle will remove that and prevent any mold / mildew from the humidity acting on the parting agent. Once cleaned and inserted in a good rice paper insert the album will only need a brushing or at worse a flood of CLEAN water. No need to do the scrubbing again. Look for laboratory rated water on line and save a bunch. Do not use tap or distilled water as the minute mineral particles left will negate your work. Can you show a link or name for said water? thanks, nick |
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Post by USNRet on Jul 15, 2014 19:56:12 GMT -5
A couple of reads: well looks like I can only link one
source |
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Post by USNRet on Jul 15, 2014 20:13:41 GMT -5
But a google of nerl-reagent-grade-water will lead you
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digi
Minor Hero
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Post by digi on Jul 16, 2014 8:28:15 GMT -5
I was in the same boat as mepositive and end up getting a vacuum cleaning machine myself. I purchased the vpi 16.5 and have been very happy. The trick with them is the process and its not just as simple as put on the cleaner and vacuum right off if you want the bext results. I was given many albums that were stored improperly and were quite used and near unlistenable at first. After some trial and error and finding a great post i finally can get just about all of them near silent if they are not visibly damaged. The key is to leave the solution on for many minutes vacuuming off and possibly go through the process again if there is still noise.
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Post by cardiffkook on Jul 16, 2014 9:15:55 GMT -5
I got a spin clean for Father's Day and immediately went to work on a pile of my old favorites. Most are several decades old, but in good condition and well cared for. Sadly, though I have a fairly revealing system (Rega/Benz/Sonic Frontiers/Emotiva/Maggie 3.7i), I did not notice any improvement over my good old trusty Audioquest anti static brush which I have used religiously since buying these albums.
I assume I would hear a difference if my records actually were dirty, other than random specks of dust. Or perhaps I would have heard a difference if I had used a more expensive cleaner. I am skeptical though.
One mans experience, take it for what it is worth.
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Post by novisnick on Jul 16, 2014 9:28:50 GMT -5
cardiffkook,
Rega TT is not at all specific , it would help to know the model. I have a RP-6 with Exact that's made specifically for that table and cleaning with the SC did a great job on all my vinyl, old and new. Hearing no difference may be that your LPs were in mint condition or there's something else.Front end, table, or cartridge I'm not sure.
Just my two cents and I'd like to help if I could.
Respectfully,
Nick
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KeithL
Administrator 
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Post by KeithL on Jul 16, 2014 10:50:07 GMT -5
A record cleaner is going to make an obvious difference if your records actually are dirty. Likewise, if there is release agent present, I suppose removing it would help. (Remember that, if you bought a used record from a dealer, there's a good chance that they've already been cleaned.) However, a record cleaner isn't going to make any difference if there's no dirt there to begin with. It also isn't going to help if the record was physically damaged (which includes scratches, gouges, and having the grooves damaged by being played by a really bad or damaged stylus). Many older "record players" tracked very heavily, and could actually wear the music right off the groove. If you have a record which has been abused that badly, it's probably hopeless - although using a different shape of stylus, or one of those cool LASER turntables, which may read a different part of the groove, might avoid the damaged area - if you're very lucky. I got a spin clean for Father's Day and immediately went to work on a pile of my old favorites. Most are several decades old, but in good condition and well cared for. Sadly, though I have a fairly revealing system (Rega/Benz/Sonic Frontiers/Emotiva/Maggie 3.7i), I did not notice any improvement over my good old trusty Audioquest anti static brush which I have used religiously since buying these albums. I assume I would hear a difference if my records actually were dirty, other than random specks of dust. Or perhaps I would have heard a difference if I had used a more expensive cleaner. I am skeptical though. One mans experience, take it for what it is worth. |
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