Best value record cleaner/cleaning system

Bradf was considerate enough to email me links to information about the "budget-priced" CleanerVinyl version of an osmosis cleaner. At around $700 for the 12-LP version, I do believe I'm gonna get me one!

Slaw, Rushton and others,

What do you use to protect label during steam cleaning.

Thanks in Advance 
Norb 

nkonor,

I've found that all of the hype over protecting the label is just that, hype. Early on in my record cleaning education, before the 16.5 and the AD and the steamer, I use to actually dip my lps into a sink full of distilled water to rinse. I never had one issue with the labels. (Of coarse you don't let them soak.) On older lps where the labels have aged, if they get wet, just blot them off, don't rub. Having said this, if I see my cleaning fluid seep onto a label, I'll blot it off.

While I'm steaming, during the time when the steamer is recharging, I'll blot off the label when necessary. As I mentioned earlier, I hold a record over a sink against my torso while steaming. This allows everything to drain off as much as possible.

Have fun!

slaw,

Thank you for the tip. I found a half dozen steamers on Amazon. Guess I'll pick one and have at it. Not expensive. Might add to the labor but I will take your judgement on this! 

Thanks
Norb

After you steam the records you can do your suit as well.

nkonor,

If you can find the dbtech with the larger tank, go for it. That one is a no-brainer.

Are you familiar with the Gem Dandy cleaning system? I've often thought about making my own (simple pvc stand w/ basic tools) but taller to set in my sink. After spreading the fluid on a lp, attach it to this and voila'! I will do it at some point.

ebm,

Yes, I've even used mine to clean out the mold that accumulates inside of an  in-door ice maker. Lots of uses.

...the dbtech has much better ergonomics (compared to my Mapleshade) which makes for better contol. It has a very good steam pattern as well. These two things make a difference!

a friend of mine bought a HAAN after watching me using my Mapleshade years ago. I went to his house one day just to test it out. I was disappointed in that unit. Much lower steam pressure, lesser steam pattern..

bdp24,

Good luck. Let us know how everything works out!

Record Doctor V using the mofi brush and the audiotechnica   AT6012 for pre play cleaning.   

Have had my VPI 16.5 for 4+ years now. No other HiFi purchase has yielded results that equal what the RCM has provided.

Same here, other machine: Moth RCM/II. 10 years´ faultless service, deep cleaned over a thousand albums. Price app. 500 euros. Noisy but does the job. Highly recommended.

Maybe what I've failed in getting across is, with steaming, in good lighting...the water/light allows you to actually see anything left on the lp.

I've cleaned lps through my AD/16,5  time and again, still, there are just some times where steaming is THE only way to get an lp clean.

Ex: I was just listening to my Outlaws lps, I pulled the "Live" record out. I had marked previously.."re-steam?". Mind you, this was way before I had my 16.5/AD cleaners.

I was re-steaming under my under-cabinet led light and can see the little "flakes" on the lp that are stubborn, but will come off when you apply first, common sense, then a more aggressive application. These are the types of things that will not come off just through any automated process.

This is why I believe that being able to actually see what's going on while cleaning is essential ti The Best process.

^ Ghost Riders by Outlaws blows the dust off your cart/cantilever :_) Gotta listen right away...

harold-not-the-barrel,

Your post was misplaced! Should go to another thread?

Father-in-gay

harold-not-the-barrel,

There has been an intrusion on my posts.

On another topic that I had started, I made clear yesterday of this fact.

Right now, all I can do is apologize for things (out of my control).

I shut my computer down yesterday and ran all of my Norton system controls in order to do what I could on my end.

I  don't know what else I can do on my end.

FWIW: Looking at our conversations now, I see the (extra, overlay (content) that I advised the Audiogon people two weeks ago. There has been some kind of intrusion regarding my posts here.

...having said this, and based upon your comment "you've explained your strange behauviour" had an effect on me.

I'll no longer try to be a member that attempts to have a real conversation on music. In fact, I'll most likely go dark.

Happy listening.

slaw,

Very well, I see your situation now. I just got the impression from your previous post that disgusts me. Whatever/by whoever it was meant to be I do not like calling names.

I come from a very different culture, some things are much insulting than in your culture I´d assume.

I haven´t read all this thread and I have no idea what the heck is going on here since that two weeks.

Someone/thing intruders your posts ? That´s another story. Truly annoying.
Contact customer help, they will do their best I strongly believe.
I have been mistreated too. Someone spread misinformation of my activities. Very tiresome.

I will delete my posts here soon ´cos I suddenly lost all interest to this particular thread.

Have a great day

slaw, I've not read this post for awhile, so going back a month to your comment I'll add this.

While my VPI was set properly as delivered, a friend received one which was not.  He is not a person with much patience so I offered to help.  Contacting VPI I was told (by Mike, though this was several years ago) about the 185 degree setting for the suction tube.  Thinking it through that makes perfect sense, but I agree it should have been in the manual.

I agree that ultrasound is the best method, by far. I had a VPI machine, and tested those results against an Elmasonic US machine running at 80 KHz. No contest. The Elmasonic was far superior.

To spin the records I use a spinner from Vinyl Stack: the Ultrasonic Spin Kit. The spacers also protect the labels.

It's a good combination - they both work well, they both look good, and they both have a fine fit and finish. The Elmasonic is German, and looks it; the Vinyl Stack looks German but is domestic. Good companies, good products. Highly recommended.

Oh dear...

Terry, 
It seems the Vinyl Stack Kit is reasonably priced but does it include a tank and if so what are the exact dimensions. Is a wider tank more handy in practice ? Do they provide any chemicals/solvents, or are they needed at all ? And how much time does it take to clean one record set ?

I just got the newest iteration of the Pro-Ject (marketed as the MK II in the UK) and have been pleased with it.  I paid $499, and the dealer threw in a dust cover. I still use my Spin Cleaner for the really dirty records first...don’t want to stress the new baby yet 🙂.   I am still experimenting with my cleaning process.  

The company has a recommended cleaning process of adding drops of their (diluted) cleaning liquid, turn on the machine rotation, use the goat-hair brush to spread the liquid, reverse the rotation and use the brush again, then vacuum two rotations and reverse for two more rotations.  

My dealer recommended another process that he uses for his record cleaningservice: he uses a Spin Cleaner for the initial cleaning of very dirty records, then attaches the record and cover, adds liquid, then gently scrubs with a Mobile Fidelity cleaning brush.  He then vacuums the machine in one direction.  

I have seen a marked improvement in the sound quality, and my cleaning and drying time is halved.  Love the fact the RCM has no platter.  I have had only two minor problems:  the aluminum arm rests on a plastic collar and is so tight I could not manipulate it; a little engine grease fixed that.  Also, the vacuum arm when fully swung over touches the record lock and causes aluminum shavings to fall on the record.   Slightly adjusting the vacuum arm avoids this. The factory-provided liquid seems to work well

Hi,  I'm considering a VPI 16.5 ($800) versus a Pro-Ject VC-e ($499) or VC-S2 ($699).
The VCI does not have a reverse button; The VC-E apparently has a hole on the base below the record which is sucked up when spinning the records so the bottom side of the record gets dirty while being cleaned. I heard they have a plate to cover this that they are including in newer models.

I'd appreciate any recommendations, i.e. which brand and model would you recommend and is the reverse feature that important in cleaning albums?

I used the VPI 16.5 with a three step process (enzyme, cleaner, ultra pure water rinse) for 15 years. This was when used albums joined my collection and employed a one step for new pressings.  Once that was complete rarely was it revisited. The machine was reliable and a solid performer, though it is a little loud so I used ear plugs.  I have since moved to ultrasonic cleaning and sold the VPI to another who is continuing to achieve good results with its use. 

this is thread i posted asking for info 3.5 years ago... glad it is still serving a good purpose

to close the loop i bought an okki nokki some time back... i am very happy with it