Hannl VI 3C, my choice
Record cleaning fluids
I've read a lot of posts asking about best or preferred fluids.
Through basic use and cleaning I think I've come up with some helpful information to pass on to others.
I use a VPI 1 hw17 cleaner. With this I've used the Vpi fluid , a gallon jug. I then tried RRL, which I believe is MOFI now. I usually use 75/25 of their regular and deep cleaning type. I've been using this for a couple of years.
Running low on RRL, I decided to try something else and ended up with LeArtDuSon, concentrated fluid. I mixed the bottle with a gallon of distilled water.
I set up this cup contraction which spent fluid goes into one of those plastic take out containers. After 1 month of use with the LeArtDuSon, I noticed the spent fluid was dirtier, an amber almost beer like color, whereas before with RRL and VPI fluids, it was usually clear.
I can only surmise, the LeArtDuSon is cleaning more from the record surface, therefore is a better cleaner than the RRL and Vpi fluids
Through basic use and cleaning I think I've come up with some helpful information to pass on to others.
I use a VPI 1 hw17 cleaner. With this I've used the Vpi fluid , a gallon jug. I then tried RRL, which I believe is MOFI now. I usually use 75/25 of their regular and deep cleaning type. I've been using this for a couple of years.
Running low on RRL, I decided to try something else and ended up with LeArtDuSon, concentrated fluid. I mixed the bottle with a gallon of distilled water.
I set up this cup contraction which spent fluid goes into one of those plastic take out containers. After 1 month of use with the LeArtDuSon, I noticed the spent fluid was dirtier, an amber almost beer like color, whereas before with RRL and VPI fluids, it was usually clear.
I can only surmise, the LeArtDuSon is cleaning more from the record surface, therefore is a better cleaner than the RRL and Vpi fluids
Showing 3 responses by syntax
It seems AIVS collects the vote of many who tried it. Well, it is like reading a review. All is great, all is fine but: AIVS is a multistep cleaning solution, that means, any owner who spends 30 minutes per record expect to hear terrific improvements. And the more fluids he can use, the better. I am sure, when any of the other users clean their record 3x with LADS or whatever, they will get the same result. I used AIVS, too and it didn't bite the bullet for me. Probably I have a superior cleaning machine, who knows...and not one record I cleaned with the Enzyme fluid gave me an improvement to the fluid I used before with it. |
I think the key to the lab water rinse is to get the cleaning fluids off the record surface; not sure even a high quality vacuum, ala Monks, does that 100%. (I'm not a chemist but suspect there is some residue left that may create a sonic signature. That was certainly the case 30 years ago, when I used 1 step fluids with a VPI- the records would sometimes be noisier after cleaning). The Monks can do that much better than any other Machine on the market. The VPI has two lips, one in front of the slot nozzle and one behind. When the back lip is wet from a few cleanings, the slot mechanism is nearly useless because the contaminated back lip serves the gunk and fluid again onto the record. That is the reason why VPI cleaned records needs a new clean again and again after the drying time...it is a cheap but hardly a serious solution for an intelligent Audiophile like you are. Here is a pic from the result of the cleaning with a Monks Design. Records cleaned only new Reissues or Records from early 60's in Mint ir Mint minus condition.... Fluid removal with a Monks Design Btw. the cleaning fluid I use is clear like fresh water... |