Some thoughts on record cleaning machines and alternatives

@billstevenson 

and unquestionably will be best served with an ultra sonic RCM.

I seek the best sound quality, and I stopped using my ultra-sonc machine, because I heard no improvement over my traditional, vacuum RCM.

If there was some strain-to-hear-it improvement, it was not worth the time, noise, and effort of the ultra-sonic machine.

I have a revealing system, and seek out white hot pressings.  Yet, to my ear, my ultra-sonic machine provided no sonic improvement over my traditional VPI machine.

Also, ultra-sonic machines are not too good at cleaning heavily soiled pressings.  They are good for the clean-up crew (in a manner of speaking).  They do the detailed touch-up work.  Whereas, a traditional RCM will quickly whisk away clumps of filth.

and one year in of moderate use my machine now needs a new water pump and solenoid valve.

My ultra-sonic needed repairs just shy of the warranty end date.  And I had to ship it to Germany (not a single authorized repair shop in the USA).  Argh!

My ultra-sonic machine needs distilled water, which evaporates.  So if I only need to clean a few records, then I have to fill the tank with distilled water.  And due to my infrequent use, the water evaporates by the next time I want to clean any records.

I got tired of that, and stopped using my ultra-sonic machine years ago.  My VPI 16.5 machine does a great job.  As good as a current model?  Maybe not?  But how much better can it be?  I use record cleaning fluid and a brush, wipe off the record, and the vacuum dries it off and picks up any dust that the brush might have missed.

Finding a better sounding pressing will do more for sound quality than any RCM.  But when you land a better sounding pressing, you are back at square one, where you want it to sound as good as possible.  For me, my VPI 16.5 machine gets me there (or 99.9% of the way there).

I just had to run upstairs and inspect my latest ultrasonic cleaning effort.  Three of the batch were secondhand and quite badly marked.  They look like new now.  The other three are brand new and look it.

I follow Neil’s recommendations, using Sorbitol for the wash, and Infotol for rinsing.  I don’t use distilled water, just Canberra’s best tap water that has gone through a Britax ion-exchange process.  I double the cleaning time to 60 minutes to make sure the water reaches 40 degrees C, and air dry for several hours after rinsing.

The ultrasonic machine is a no-name Chinese one but I suspect many similar brands come from the same source.  I do not think it is truly ultrasonic because I can hear it.

I don’t like the idea of physically scrubbing records, and I don’t believe vacuum can remove very small particles either!

I use a carbon-fibre anti-static brush before every play, and after if I remember. The first sleeve a cleaned record sees is a Nagaoka anti-static one.

Many second-hand records sound like new, and I put that down to modern stylus shapes ’bridging over’ wear from older stylus shapes.

Have just discovered that the bookshop that sells me second-hand classical records for A$5.50 each is closing permanently in the next fortnight.  No doubt I will have to drop my standards and go dirtier.

Purchase a,...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLwmfacmzRM

and then realize that you never ever apply a brush until the record grooves are fully flushed and devoid of hard particles that brushing will grind into/scratch the surface.

DeKay

@seymour-krelborn Your VPI 16.5 is just as effective at cleaning records as even the newest MW-1 Cyclone.  The primary difference is in the amount of time it takes to achieve the result.  It is true that the MW-1 has a stronger vacuum motor.  I find the primary difference is a) it is considerably louder and b) by being able to dry in both directions it dries a little faster.  Actually in terms of convenience I prefer my HW-17, which I have had since 1986 and still use daily when we are at our home in NH.  If you cannot hear the difference between a new record cleaned on your 16.5 and one cleaned on your German US there are a few possible explanations.  I assure you that if everything was 100%, there is a sort of a veil or haze that is removed, quite unmistakable.  Anyway, my thoughts are: a) your US RCM is not working properly b) your hearing can't detect it.  Either way, I wouldn't worry about it as you seem satisfied with your current regime.

@richardbrand I agree with you that modern stylus shapes like Shibata or fine line and the like are effective at bridging over the worn spots on old worn records.  Your belief that a good vacuum RCM cannot remove very small particles is incredible.

@dekay Thank you for the link to the Groovemaster label saver.  That tool facilitates safe record cleaning.  Very useful.  

Interesting discussion. I have used a vacuum machine and liked the results along with a spin doctor. I happened on to an Audio Desk Systeme Glass that is ultrasonic, has micro fiber brushes, continuously filters the cleaning solution and air dries the record in about 6 minutes. It does an excellent job. I’m surprised no one has mentioned it. Has anyone that has tried other methods ever compared it to the Audio Desk Systeme Glass?