VINYL SURFACE NOISE

Your definition of surface noise differs from mine. I use all of the treatment items you use, but "ticks and pops" are generally permanent surface scratches or pits that can't be removed. MY DEFINITION OF SURFACE NOISE IS MORE AKIN TO WHAT MANY CALL "GROOVE RUSH", and even that varies from one record to the next, depending on a host of factors like vinyl formulation, how quiet the cutting amplifiers were, the quality of the cutter, how well the pressings were done from the stamper, etc. and so on... THE THING I CAN'T STAND IS RECORD WEAR. That's where you have an old used record you've bought, and there's terrible distortion that varies with the loudness of the music. The louder the music, the more distortion. ALL THE TREATMENTS IN THE WORLD WON'T CURE THIS...THEY CAN SOMETIMES HELP A LITTLE, BUT YOU JUST CAN'T EXPECT MUCH AT ALL FROM THIS. One thing that DOES have TOTAL EFFECT on how EXAGERRATED the "ticks and pops" are (besides the quality of your cartridge and its "trackability") is VERTICAL TRACKING ANGLE. If your arm doesn't allow fine adjustments to be made here, you'll never get all you can out of your vinyl collection. Not that you need to adjust it often, but if you can't adjust it at all, that's a problem. I DO AGREE WITH "RAMSTL" THAT IF THE NOISE IS QUITE BAD ON PARTICULAR RECORDS, YOU JUST NEED TO BUY A BETTER COPY.

Albert: What do you think the difference is in the formula, between VPI's cleaning fluid and RRL's?

I thought the key was distilled water. Still wainting to hear about the RRL solution. About the AQ carbon fibre brush: I've decided not to use mine very often anymore, since I tried it on a blank side (reverse of 12" 45 rpm reissue), and could see fine circumferal scratches when held to the light, that were NOT there right before I used the brush. I used only very light pressure. I saw no loose bristles, of course. I'll try to get one of the horsehair ones. I think applying Gruv Glide every third or fourth play is better than applying Last record preservative, and then washing again to get the residue off. I don't think a multitude of machine washings for compulsive's sake is the way to go, either. Just my grumble opinion.