Looking for advise and recommendations on a nice record cleaner.


Hello,

I have a McIntosh MT10 and a good size collection of records. 

I noticed some of my records not sounding like they use to. 

I was told that my records were dirty and to look into a good record cleaner. 

I am now here for recommendations and where to look to solve my issue. 

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xuavnola

I recently bought a Humminguru with an extra tank so I could use one with some tergikleen and one to rinse. It’s an ultrasonic, but on the lower end of cost scale and seems to work pretty well so far. I tend to run one or two of the longer clean cycles depending on whether it’s a new or used record. It’s not a defroster, but for the price I feel like it’s a great deal. I did order it direct with several accessories (extra tank, cover, extra filters and wheels) and saved a fair amount doing it direct. Took about 2-3 weeks to arrive for what it’s worth. 

I own the Clearaudio Double Matrix Sonic Pro. It is extremely good. Not inexpensive. But the best!

I recently purchased the record doctor V which you were given a link to above and is very inexpensive now that they have a newer model out.  I think it does a very good job, I make sure I basically have a flood coat of the solution on the record and rotate it with the brush several turns to work it into the grooves, then flip and 3 slow rotations with the vacuum and you are good.   Albums are much quieter and takes less than 3 minutes per album. I’m working my way through my collection, and I don’t do this before playing an album just to get the collection clean at least first…I do clean new vinyl the same way.   Be sure to buy the bottle of cleaner concentrate you’ll need it quickly. 

@uavnola I haven't read through all of the threads or responses here.  So, if this has already been covered, my apologies.

Before jumping to the conclusion that the etiology of your dilemma here is dirty records, a few questions for you:

Have you examined your cartridge and stylus?  Do you properly and regularly clean your stylus?  How many service-hours are on your stylus/cartridge?

Regardless, a good record cleaner and/or record cleaning regimen is a good idea for anyone who loves records.  That being said, here's a little heavy reading for you that is well worth your time:

Precision Aqueous Cleaning of Vinyl Records-3rd Edition - The Vinyl Press

Depending upon how much money, time and effort you want to invest in this, the Degritter Mark II would be a good choice if you want to go ultrasonic and convenience.  For a considerably less expensive ultrasonic approach, you might want to check this out:

CleanerVinyl Ultrasonic Record Cleaning

Good Luck!

@cleeds ​​@dogberry  The KL uses blowers to dry the record, https://klaudio.com/kd-cln-lp200t-lp-vinyl-record-ultrasonic-cleaner-dryer

Unfortunately, this is just as bad, maybe worse than plain air drying in a rack. Any contaminants dissolved in the water remain on the record as water evaporates. This is the main reason I did not get one. The set up is also awkward with a tank on the floor. 

I would like to see an unbiased study on what method produces the cleanest record. US cleaners being better is an assumption based on assumptions. I am stuck following my own logic which I admit is based on assumptions.