2. analog
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Best value record cleaner/cleaning system

Thought I would ask the group -- when I was last in the analog game some 12-15 years ago it was a VPI or Nitty Gritty for record cleaning (that and the wood-handled Discwasher pad with red-bottle liquid, Zerostat and Decca CF brush for just before playing an LP)... are these still the go-to standard units, or has the state of the art / ’value’ options advanced to some other kits in the present? I see cleaner units now from Pro-ject, Music Hall, Spin Clean, etc etc.

In my case I am not trying to ’deep clean’ mistreated, flea market or recycled recors store records... just good hygiene maintenance-cleaning of a treasured collection - 80% regular records, 20% ’audiophile’ pressings.

Thanks in advance.
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ryanvt
25 posts
 
I have used two methods so far - Spin clean and microfiber towels for drying works well, get more background noise out with a Record Doctor V after Spin Clean on very dirty records.  Record Doctor V is less painful than spin clean if dealing with hundreds of albums.  

ryanvt
25 posts
 
[Use carbon brush and zero stat before playing thereafter.  All new sleeves and outer sleeves after cleaning.]
kyluckyman
14 posts
 
I started out using the velvet pad on a wood handle cleaner years ago.

Then I got a Knosti. I was quite pleased with it other than the cycle time. I could only wash one record and then wait for it to dry enough to remove the hub and do another record. Then there were rinse issues....

So I moved on to an Okki Nokki. I like this one! I am able to clean a record as deep as I like, dry it and play it immediately afterwards.

The Knosti cost me about 80 bucks while the Okki was 500.

I decided on an automated platter when using the Knosti and thinking of upgrades.
meadowman's avatar
meadowman
140 posts
 
2nd on the Okki Nokki.  Full Disclosure I am a dealer for Okki Nokki.  Great product that cleans in forward and reverse. 
goheelz's avatar
goheelz
297 posts
 
I recommend the VPI 16.5 record cleaner.  Not the cheapest solution out there, but it's mighty reliable.  Thousands of records cleaned, and it's still going very strong 15 years later.  The downside: it's not quiet, so it really needs to live away from polite company and ear protection is de rigeur. Newer (or more expensive) models may be a bit less noisy.
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