2. analog
  3. 1281899521

I'll never listen to another record...

...without cleaning it first.

Admittedly I've been very lazy in my pursuit of cleaning LPs - both old and new. Setting with dry brush cleaning only for decades.

Enter my new Loricraft PRC3. I've begun the daunting and arduous process of cleaning "every single LP" (worth cleaning of course - those 30+ year old teen year LPs are now being rounded up and put to the side - usually with deep scratches, beer stained covers and gatefolds with a "leafy" substance caught in the folds) in my collection. Starting with my favorites and what I consider audiophile recorded records first.

It's also starting another long put off task I've been avoiding for the better part of forty years: cataloging my collection. Cleaned records are now put into a spreadsheet and as if starting all over - these are the only records I'll put on the turntable. Forcing me to catalog them all. It's going to take some time tobesure. Periodically I'll save the list as a PDF and upload to my Android phone so that when I'm in the record stores browsing the record bins I'll be able to find out if I have the vinyl already.

Apart from what those with RCMs already know - the sonic benefits of a clean record and a sparkling clean stylus are extraordinary. Better late then never I suppose....
notec

Showing 2 responses by dougdeacon

dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Notec, glad you've discovered the benefits of hygiene! Better late than never, as you said. ;-)

I'll respectfully disagree with the proposition that some records don't need cleaning. All records, old or new, benefit from cleaning.

One of the many ways to inadequately care for an LP is to play it uncleaned. Guess what happens when you scrape dirt along a plastic surface using a sharp diamond blade under pressure? Whether one hears the resulting damage depends on one's system and ears, but the damage is being done regardless.

Notec, search this forum for Loricraft and you'll find many tips and suggestions for getting the most from this excellent machine. Enjoy your newly unmasked music!
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Great post, Syntax.

Everything is better than doing nothing. And it makes sense. The analog reproduction is mechanical and to take care that the record is in better (or best) condition gives everyone at once the feedback.
Good summary.

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