Vinyl Care


I just got a new turntable and cartridge after not having one for years.

I need a recommendation for a relatively inexpensive record cleaner.

I really never took proper care of my records,and would like some basic advice on how to keep them clean on a regular basis.

I also need some guidance on care and cleaning of my cartridge and stylus.My currant cartridge is a Rega exact.

Please know that I don't have a big collection of valuable records,just a bunch of old rock recordings amassed over the past 50 years.

I have started buying some new records,but only select prized albums that I have lost or have been worn out.

Thanks.

twangy57

Showing 2 responses by bdp24

 

@twangy57: You’ll "probably" take @billstevenson’s VPI HW-16 for $75? Don’t just think about it, do it! That’s one hell of a bargain.

 

My first vacuum-style LP cleaner was a Nitty Gritty, which I found to be lacking (too many revolutions to completely remove the cleaning liquid, and water drops left on the edge of the LP and in the area near the paper center label). I replaced it with a VPI HW-17, which I found to be quite a bit better. Two revolutions on a VPI and the LP is bone-dry, in some instances only one being necessary. More than two revolutions may create a static charge on the LP.

The major difference between the HW-16 and 16.5 is that the 16 has the suction "wand" built into its plexi-glass dust cover, while the 16.5 has the wand attached to a spring-loaded tube separate from the cover. I believe VPI sells a 16-to-16.5 conversion kit.

 

The Last brand products may be purchased on the Last Factory website. They sell a Stylus Cleaner in addition to their Stylus Treatment product. The brush is like that in nail polish bottles, with long soft bristles attached to the end of a handle. I prefer the "pad"-style brushes (with short dense bristles), offered by a number of other companies.

 

 

You can get a Record Doctor V vacuum LP cleaning machine from Audio Advisor for $199.37. The best two hundred bucks you’ll ever spend! Far superior to the Spin Clean.