Steam cleaning records 2

In my view, tonearms such as the Schroder Reference ($7,500 & up) need to be re-tuned in response to weather changes. I am a fan of Frank's work & consider his tonearms works of Art. With a Schroder , weather changes scream-out to you. After you understand that one can use that as a reference point for many other Tonearms. In my view, the reason so many perfectly splended Tonearms appear on AG has to do with adjustment issues , mal-adjustments with phono cartridges having nothing to do with performace.For instance, Maplenoll Tonearms are air bearing as is the platter. Barometric changes change the alignment of the cartridge & height of the platter. Slight alignment problems "blurr" the delicate sound of a performace. Ms. Lumley was way ahead of her time, (see TAS 1983 & up). The information I outline is far-less available in a hard-rock LP but quite discernable in classical performaces. Z: If you want,God, find religion not 2 channel stereo . Set-up is everything. As for bats they use sonic vibes , our hearing is different. I do enjoy watching them against a Maryland Sky near dusk. I reside next to a Wildlife Sanctuary. Thank you for Honoring Bats.

One quick follow-up. I have noted seasonal adjustment issues with SME , Rega , All "S" arms & Grace. In my view all tonearms are subject to adjustment issues that affect tonality, midrange-smearing and mis-tracking.

The analogy would be air pressure to car tires. All car tires require perodic checks to determine correct air pressure. Subtal changes can not be seen with the eye. A air gauge is used to balance out the air reading for each tire. Wally Kits and other set-up adjustment tools are required to assure the tonearm is operating at the manufactures recommendations. The changes can range all over the spectrum , re-adjustment is required to return the tonearm to optimal operating conditions. Without such adjustments you are flying by the "seat-of-your pants" in analog.

When one steams a record , the recording silghtly swells someting measurable in a Lab setting. It is for that reason I always recommend a "rest" period prior to playback for the LP to re-sizes itself. The same is true when one plays a LP. The phono stylas heats the vinyl for a thousandths of a second ever-so-slightly distorting the grove that needs to re-size itself in about 1/2hr. It is for that reason a quick replay of a LP side may sound "smoother" when actually its slightly smearing/blurring delicate details the second time around. The variables in playback are such that even record cleaning using a RCM w/ cleaning fluids may sound "smooth" on a newly cleaned LP when what one is actually hearing is residue of the fluid deep in the grove acting as a filter to the needle as it glides over the grove.

It is for that reason some analog'ers perfer "wet playback" that smoothes the sound at the cost of detail.

When one over-lays all of these observations its not difficult to recognize why in analog playback is so challenging ... To view the "Turrents of OZ" not just the bricks on the road... Bats 'an all.

Nickiguy's analysis is spot on. My view for the widely varying results stem from variables such as how the work is performed , the cleaning machines (included or excluded), the use of a record cleaning fluid vs water , as well as, what type of water from Tap to NERL. And I agree that steaming is time consuming. Thankfully, one does not steam with every playback.

As for record cleaning fluids, it is my view Audio Intelligence Products and Disc Doctor are examples of superior products available to the consumer. Of course, homebrew is certianly available but only if you know what your doing. Smearing home made goop is no more a benefit than rubbing sand on the groves.

In my view, AI & DD fluids do very well is to "lift" the gunk & dispence some in the air & dilute the contaminates. They dislodge some of the sonic fingerprint. In my opinion the only way to remove the sonic finger print is thru Steaming or pure water baths , most likely both. Now, that is time consuming.

And lastly an explaniation for the widely varring results ? Some , a few, ain't Steaming tat' all. Their questions or responses do not reflect hands-on experience. They , for-what-ever-reason(s) , comment on what they, in my view, do not know.

I do know I hear no residue when using Audio Intelligient cleaners. I think I'd rather steam clean my carpet than records....

Thread : Well Tempered Amadues's Use of a Golf Ball.

Actual Posted Comment:

"Such arrogance,such idotic babble. How can you comment on something you haven't experienced ?"

Posted by Chashas1, dated 2/17/09, Post # 53 ...