Summary: I hope to express my evolution regarding the importance of, and the benefits of cleaning lps.
History: I've been a music lover all of my life. The effect music has had on my life has been immeasurable. I know now, even more, how music (effectively and honestly presented), can have a positive impact on life.
Here we go. Over the years, I've developed a cleaning regimen. An effective one at that. But, there was always an "elephant" in the room, so to speak. That elephant being, using the vacuum cleaners out there has been a useful but ineffective tool, because, one is constantly trying to clean away crud by "brushing away", (supposedly), the contaminates set deep into the lp grooves. In reality, we are imbedding some of the crud, deeper into the grooves by this time honored process.
My current cleaning regimen: I lay an lp on a clean microfiber cloth, administer Audio Intelligent Enzymatic fluid by way of a VPI bristle brush (that I always steam clean after each lp). While this is working it's magic, I'm waiting for my steamer to reach operational value. I then clean one side, repeat for the other side. I then take that lp into another cleaning station where I administer Audio Intelligent Archivist Formula with a separate applicator, and vacuum that off on my Record Dr. Then after the two sides are done, I take it to my VPI 16.5 and use Aquafina water on a dedicated brush to spread that across the lp before it is vacuumed up. During all of these processes, I clean the velvet pads with my steamer. I have separate cleaning brushes for each individual stage. This prolongs the 'pads' life.
My middle name should be "Anal". That's cool with me. Lp's are like my children. I'd do anything for them.
I do as much record buying by way of "events" as I do by mail order. I think to properly get across the effectiveness of this product, I need to convey my experience with an lp I purchased new and that has evolved with me in all of my evolution of audio.
Shawn Colvin "Steady On". My most played lp of all time. I even purchased an additional copy after believing my original was becoming "worn out". I just played it again after putting it through an Audio Desk cleaning. The loud ticks & pops that I've listened to for decades are now at the most, negligible, at the least, non-existent. This is important, this is an lp I purchased new, been under my control all of it's life. I know this lp!
Sonics: What I've noticed immediately was, leading edge transients were more relevant, more 'a part' of the musical whole. The air, bloom, headroom, normally associated with a good set-up, seems to be integrated naturally. Not a big deal, (It really is).
Other aspects: With the vacuum cleaners out there, we always have static introduced by the cleaning process. This most likely comes from the velvet pads. I became a slave to, (after my past/present, anal cleaning process,) constantly using an antistatic gun before each side. Thankfully, this is no longer necessary. Actually, subjecting an lp to the usual carbon fiber brush before each side is a thing of the past! Additionally, having to constantly clean your stylus is not necessary. Put an lp through the Audio Desk, put that lp into a clean anti-static inner sleeve.... AHHH! Since dust doesn't stick to an Audio Desk cleaned lp, if you notice any at all, just a blow will get the job done. Am I getting through to you now!
I think you may be "getting it"! It's fully automatic. Go listen, come back later. It's clean and dry!
For me, It's the ultimate, a life saver. I can sit back an enjoy each and every side of any lp, knowing all the while, I've done my part. Now, the question is, Have you done yours?
A caveat: I will continue to steam clean every lp before it sees the Audio Desk. There is the cost of the "barrels, fluid/water" and such.
With my dedication to vinyl done right, I can't think of any other product that brings me more joy and satisfaction than the Audio Desk System vinyl cleaner. ( I have NO affiliation with the manufacturer or it's importer).
As I stated earlier, my middle name is still "Anal".
Long live analog!!
Similar products I have had a regimen I've developed through the years. The following is a list of products I currently use:
It's an excellent & convenient cleaner . However is it reliable ? & how is the quality of service by the manufacturer ? Within a month of purchase , my unit failed. Took a long while to get it repaired. After using it happily for more than 1 year, suddenly it failed on me & I saw smoke coming out of the machine after only cleaning 3 LP. Now 10 days later , no response to my mail at all from audio desk . Even the distributor I got this unit from can't get a response from the manufacturer ? If I manage to repair it , will probably sell it to buy KL audio RCM By the way , I have 2 other reliable RCM , Loricraft PRC4 & VPI 17f
Audioblazer: You said: "After using it happily for more than 1 year, suddenly it failed on me and I saw smoke coming out of the machine after only cleaning 3 lp."
Wow! Do you even realize what you just said?
You just said you owned it for one year and in that amount of time you cleaned a total of 3 lps. If my record collection/listening schedule just allowed me to clean/listen to just 3 lps in one year, I'd never spend $4000 for an lp cleaner!
I purchased this cleaner from the Cable Comapny a couple years ago. I cleaned exactly 356 LPs; kept track of each to change fluid as recoomended. After several months of not cleaning an LP I flipped it on and the rollers wouldn't collapse onto the record during cleaning and the rollers did not spin. I sent it back to the Cable Company and they couldn't fix it. They said they sent it to Germany to be fixed and after a two month wait I got it back and the unit was as it was when I shipped it to the Cable Company; still broken with the rollers not spinning and the rollers not collapsing onto the record during the cleaning cycle. At a $4 list price, this unit is a true disappointment and the quality suspect. I would think long and hard and look for other threads of the same issue I describe in 2013. The manufacturer obviously has manufacturing and design issues and I can't help but wonder about the quality control before returning a unit to the owner. Buyer beware on this one. My VPI never died in the several years I owned it and while I like the approach of the Audio Desk, I am not sold on the quality.
Hifimaniac: I feel your pain. However, you have not explained, the steps one would have taken after the description you just gave us all. I felt as if after you received the "fixed" unit back and it, in fact wasn't fixed, you just "gave up"! I reached that conclusion because you failed to go into any detail regarding this aspect of your reported unresolved experience to your problem.
Did you in fact, report this experience to the Cable Company? If so, what sort of resolution did they offer you?
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