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Different Results between Record Cleaning Machines


The last thread on Record Cleaning Machines (RCMs) in 2009 covered the simple to the exotic in machinery.

RCMs haven't changed much since then, but AIVS has released 'Solution 15,' an enzyme cleaning solution, to augment their three bottle cleaning kit.

I have an older VPI RCM (the 16, not the 16.5). After cleaning with AIVS chemistry on my VPI my records, one Warner Brothers (Sweet Baby James), one RCA (Bridge Over Troubled Waters), both from 1970, didn't sound as quiet as the LPs cleaned on my friend's Loricraft using exactly the same chemistry and very similar technique. We noted a couple of things.

First, the stylus collected a *huge* amount of gunk --particularly from what was, at least chemically, a record cleaned with care, and according to AIVS instructions.

Second, after playing a couple of songs, we stopped, cleaned the stylus again, and played once more. The sound was drastically improved. Anyone have experience similar to this?

I'm a little skeptical about using an expensive TT, cartridge and stylus for auxiliary record cleaning.

Was it the 'gunk removal' that led to better sound with the second playback? Was the mold release compound coming off in globs with the needle carving its way down to the sound? Why was so much material caught on the stylus? And why didn't the RCM collect more of it?

Is the answer too obvious?

The VPI's vacuum motor is brand new. The table sounds like its bearings are arthritic when it rotates, but beside that, it turns with considerable torque.

Thanks in advance for any experience you might have about this.

At the moment I'm considering a Loricraft purchase. Anyone have a Lorcraft for sale?

Happy Thanksgiving,
cdk84

Showing 2 responses by nrenter

nrenter's avatar
nrenter
768 posts
 
I interpret gunk on yous stylus after a wet cleaning to mean a loosening and redepositing of contaminants, therefore an incomplete vacuum extraction. This would be an easy hypothesis to test:

1. Play a "uncleaned" record. Check for gunk.
2. Clean that record. Play it. Check for gunk.
3. Play that record again. Check for gunk.

If the most gunk is gathered after Step 2, my hypothesis has some merit.

Not sure if possible, but perhaps use a different pad on your vacuum wand? Perhaps creating one out of a Disk Doctor wet scrub replacement pad. This would provide the added benefit of little "fingers" to help dig into the groove and wick out moisture and gunk. Just a thought.
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
768 posts
 
If the record was actually getting cleaned by a play, there's really no point to cleaning - just play the record twice. I think the record is actually getting "dirtier" from the "cleaning process".
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