Michael Fremer's record cleaning process....

He has really done a great job marketing himself. It's funny as there are so many ways to clean your vinyl now days. I've heard the difference between any ultrasonic cleaner and most of the vacuum methods up to the Monks machines. I'd take the US cleaner any day of the week. I made my own I liked it so much. Most I know will say the same thing. IF you have a vacuum cleaner and your US doesn't, then you can run the record on the vacuum after you run it through the US bath. There is a great DIY site on making you own machine easily as well as on making your own fluids. A simple DIY distilled water with prof grade alcohol and an Ilford agent is working as well as any other fluid I've used or seen used. Once clean it doesn't take forever to keep them clean to play. It's usually just the initial cleaning and then you can just keep up with it and use a carbon brush in between baths. I've noticed a large difference in sound stage, deep bass and a MUCH lower noise floor (hence the sound stage being larger etc..). JMHO

Here is the link for the first page. It's a long read, but if you are into this, then it's a fun read. I agree about one method isn't best for all, however like I said, once you get things clean, THEN it's easy to keep them that way.

If you read my post, I mentioned IF you have a VC, then use it with the US. Before or after??? Try each way as you won't hurt your records if you are using a cleaner that is 80hz, 60hz, 40hz or a combo of any of them.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analogue-source/218276-my-version-ultrasonic-record-cleaner.html

I think for me the real question is what solution to use in my US cleaner (60hz tank)? Do I use just distilled water or water with the Ilford agent or also add the alcohol with it. How often to change it out as it's not too expensive when you make it yourself. would putting a 1micron filter in the tank help keep the suspended particles at bay? So many questions, lol....time to head over to the DIY thread and figure things out and just stick with it.

MF, I'll own up. The only thing I said about you was that you have done a great job marketing yourself. I see nothing negative or wrong with that as folks need to make a living and do what they love to do. My comments come from many in the industry whom I'm close with and who know you well. Again, not a slam at all and I fully stand by it. I'm glad that you wrote that what you post is your opinion. Folks fail to understand that at times and take whatever they read for fact. Personally, I've read most of your stuff and have since you started. I was getting TAS and Stereohile since they started. I loved learning about components I had never heard of and then finding them. I just got back into vinyl after my ex dropped off a few boxes of my lost records and I went with a Basis TT and Benz cart with a Rhea phono stage. Overtime I put an album on, I'm blown away by how relaxed I become. It's fun sharing with the kids and wife too. I'm glad that you have the audience you do and have been able to parlay your love into a business. Again, nothing wrong with that and if you don't market yourself, you'll never be successful. If I upset you with that statement, I'm sorry, as that wasn't my objective, nor was it my point if you reread what I said.

Honestly, if you are using a good RCM (vacuum or US), you will be much better off than not using anything or using just a brush. Everyone has opinions and that's all they are. At least do something to keep the vinyl clean and you'll be happy.

I was about to bid on a slightly used clearaudio matrix to dry my records off or clean the deeply dirty ones before my US bath, but for 199 I wonder if that Record Dr one will be good. Have any of you used it before? I'm sure it's fine to vacuum my US records dry, but is it easy enough and powerful enough to use to deep clean grimy records before the US bath? I just don't want to get too complicated or I won't use it. Thanks.