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End-Game RCM thoughts/advice

I've been reading lots of posts about various methods of cleaning LPs, and there seems to be important pros and cons for pretty much every method and/or machine I've looked at.  That said:

I have an old VPI 16.5 that works well, and a recently acquired Vinyl Stack and a Chinese 6L US tank (done about 10 LPs in it so far, one at a time.  I think that an US cleaning, followed by rinse/vacuum on the 16.5 sounds better than just using the VPI.... I have not compared fluids/chemistries yet.  I use the Mo-Fi and AIVS fluids for the VPI, and Distilled water, IPA and a tiny bit of Liquinox in the US.....

I am not interested in doing 4 step processes, spending 20-30 minutes per side, etc.  I want great sound, but also want to spend my time listening to LPs, not cleaning them. Not judging, just know myself,.  In any case, I will probably keep the machines I have now (16.5 can be used for multi-step cleaning, if necessary, and Vinyl Stack for cleaning 3 LPs at a time, if I so chose).  (I also have a Spin-Clean and one of the Merrill, spray LP in the sink devices).

I am shopping for a daily driver, that cleans both sides at the same time, and does a great job (if not the absolute best job possible). If vacuum-based, I want someting more 'automated' than the 16.5,without giving up performance, for an US, something quieter than the Chinese US, that also dries, even if only 1 LP at a time)..I have narrowed it down to the Clearaudio Double Matrix (non sonic version), The Degritter, and the 2019 version of the Audiodesk Pro. (please ignore the price in your comments- it is the performance, convenience and logistics I am concerned with.

I am not interested in a Loricraft/Monks style machine, nor a single-side latewral move from the 16.5-it works well.,  A single-side automatic like the Nessie Vinykmaster might be in the running since I am told it is much quieter than the 16.5

Please comment and save my sanity (what's left of it anyway... working from home and have too much time on my hands....  Everyone stay well, happy and healthy/safe!




fzman1956

Showing 5 responses by jagjag

jagjag's avatar
jagjag
89 posts
 
I use the Kirmuss.

It is a slow s l o w s l o w process. But very very thorough. I must say that the scrubbing (which is part of the proces) plays a good part in dislodging dirt.
( I have solved the problem by getting my daughters to clean the records for me....:) )

WhatIi do not like about it is the Printer Concept.
Affordable machine. Very expensive cleaning fluid. One refill does me about 100 LP’s . I wish they would just sell the concentrate and let me buy my own water.

The end result is worth the effort. My records are pristine, quiter than ever ever before, and sound great.
jagjag's avatar
jagjag
89 posts
 
Any ideas on an alternative cleaning fluid suitable for use with an ultrasonic cleaner? 
jagjag's avatar
jagjag
89 posts
 
Hmmm
Would an antistatic chemical still be needed if we keep the records in an antistatic sleeve after cleaning? My thoughts are that the less chemicals used the better. I am no chemist.  So, a mild surfactant to break down the dirt and oil and some IPA. 
And maybe some adequate scrubbing between a washes.

Would this work?
jagjag's avatar
jagjag
89 posts
 
Um, but, I have Kirmuss and want to make the best of it without having to spend  big money on the fluid. So, I am looking for a safe diy cleaner to work with my Kirmuss. Any help bigly appreciated. 
jagjag's avatar
jagjag
89 posts
 
I have modified the way I use my Kirmuss as I  could not get the cleaning fluid which is terribly expensive by the way. I use the Audio desk fluid ( made down at one bottle to 4.5 l water) as a spray. And a seperate super mild lab glass cleaning very dilute detergent spray. 

So, I add 40ml IPA  to the 8 litres of water in the US bath.

Do a 2min clean, then spray the Audio desk fluid and detergent onto the record and scrub scrub down with a very fine Korean beauty brush ( face wash) , do a 5 minute US clean, then do another spray and scrub, followed by a 2 min US clean, then just a spray with the Audio Desk fluid and another 2 min US clean to remove the mild detergent etc. 

A bit tedious but, it works for me. 
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