Audio Desk Record Cleaner

My perspective is different, so far. Mine is still under warranty and I've cleaned around 400 LPs with it. The only issue is sometimes a droplet or two of water left after the drying cycle. I use Nerl Reagent grade lab water in mine which leaves little to no residue after drying. The droplets I blot with a microfiber cloth if present and leave the LPs to sit in a plastic dish rack for a while so I know they're completely dry.

The big advantage here is the convenience. For me, that can't be overstated. I no longer waste weekend afternoons cleaning 10-12 records. Records no longer pile up waiting to be cleaned. It certainly doesn't hurt that they sound every bit as good as with my former labor intensive methods which included steaming. I also have essentially no problem with static anymore until I pull out an LP that was done on my VPI cleaner.

So yeah, it's pricey and I assume it will need repair at some point, most everything does and this is a complex device. I'll gladly do what it takes to keep it going though. I can honestly say that no piece of audio equipment I've ever purchased has changed my life for the better to this degree.

I've been using mine with just reagent grade water and no additive at all. I used the supplied additive until it was gone. I find it to work just as well or better without it. I certainly may try the additive again and wouldn't recommend experimenting with other additives. I think I would only use reagent grade water if going with no additive. Because of it's purity it's a very powerful solvent(actually would be dangerous for consumption, not that you would ever drink it). It also leaves no residue behind. Not so sure about residue from the additive. I know both ways work very well. For now I figure simpler(and cheaper) is better.