do record cleaning fluids soften the treble?

@RRM: Totally agree with the upper octaves (and there are other effects of cleaning too depending upon the fluid!). Another effect I find with fluids is a decrease in transparency, particularly as one listens deeper into the soundstage. It's not what the fluid takes off but how much fluid is left after cleaning. That was one reason that I switched from VPI or Nitty Gritty to other fluids. Like Albert, have found the RRL/MOFI to be much better in this regard, though some other new fluids are also quite good.

@Syntax: One problem with getting all the fluid off the LP is that the surface tension increases as the amount of fluid decreases. That's why some RCM manufacturers have made machines with more powerful or adjustable vacuum capabilities. I do feel however that one runs a risk with the higher vacuum in damaging the LP if the machine isn't properly aligned. There definitely is a difference say between the "ordinary" VPI machines and their Typhoon.

Hi Mark:

What I'm saying is the first record that one uses with a new RCM should be a junk LP. That way, if there's anything wrong with the unit or misaligned (or for instance the first NG machines that used a teflon lip to cover the aperature), you don't ruin a perfectly good record!

Otherwise, there is a clear difference in my listening between the conventional and higher suction RCM machines such as the Typhoon.

And yes, except in the case of a machine causing groove damage, the sonic effects can be altered by other RCFS (well maybe with the exception of LAST--something that I'm not fond of).