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overwhelmed by record rituals

Hi all-

I'm new to vinyl and starting to build a collection. Because I am just buying new audiophile quality vinyl (so far) it never occurred to me I should be washing the vinyl before I play it. So far my process has been to use a bit of Last stylus cleaner on the stylus (maybe after every 3 or 4 plays) and to use an Audioquest brush on the record before dropping the needle. I am starting to get some pops and clicks, though, so wondering if I should be doing more. I read through record rituals and I am a bit overwhelmed and looking for a simple process. My first question is if I should invest in a record cleaning machine before I invest in more vinyl? Is VPI a decent (modestly priced) one? Second, this article in Stereophile on Last record preservation made me wonder if I should be doing that?
http://www.stereophile.com/content/last-record-preservation-treatment
So I guess that would mean my process might be VPI (or other record cleaner) for a new record (and periodically, I'm assuming, after that) followed by a one time treatment with Last record preservative. Using the carbon Audioquest brush and Last stylus cleaner as I have been all along?

Any guidance?

Thanks!

mc
mcanaday

Showing 1 response by dougdeacon

dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Regarding stylus cleaning, while I may be prejudiced as the author, the following remains definitive even after eleven years:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1079733653&openusid&zzDougdeacon&4&5

Google "stylus cleaning magic eraser" and you'll find posts from thousands of satisfied users on dozens of forums.

Some form of liquid record cleaning (and rapid, vacuum removal of the grunge-laden fluid) is very advisable. Dragging microscopic junk through a plastic groove with a sharp-edged diamond is not a good plan for the long-term health of the plastic.

Having tried virtually every commercial product out there, I'm partial to the fluids made/sold by AIVS.
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