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. 

128x128uavnola

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. 

I’ve tried many of these units and solutions with variable improvements. My best and most consistent improvements have been with Perfect Vinyl Forever. They’re a commercial album cleaner company. Their results are often so good that they rival the same album commercially recordered in open RTR and played back on my Studer RTR. They’re pricey, so I’m selective about the albums sent to Perfect Vinyl. 

Back in the day, I had two small rectangular, metal tubs made for me by a friend. I’d fill it with warm tap water and a bit of rubbing alcohol and 3-4 drops of dish soap. I had some dowels and put a record on the dowel and insert it into the tub and spin it around for a few minutes.  Then I’d put the record, still on the dowel into the second tank that was filled with distilled water and spin it for a few minutes. Afterwards I’d put everything between a couple of books, give it a

spin or two and then let it air dry.