every once in a while I want to buy a record cleaning machine.
and then I just snap and move on with my life.
Some thoughts on record cleaning machines and alternatives
As many of you know I have some experience using record cleaning machines. This is not, repeat NOT, a discussion about what might be the best record cleaning machine. Frankly I neither know nor care. What this is about is the approach that you might take depending on your needs. Let me start by first addressing the types of record collectors that might need to consider a record cleaning machine (RCM).
The audiophile with priority on sound quality
The record collector with priority on the music itself with SQ of secondary importance
Obviously there could be some who are both, but to keep this organized, we'll deal with the two types separately. The audiophile who is after best SQ possible should buy the best editions of recordings of interest and unquestionably will be best served with an ultra sonic RCM. Which one? I dunno. From what I can learn all US machines achieve similar results sonically, but there have been issues with longevity of some brands. I bought a HumminGuru, and one year in of moderate use my machine now needs a new water pump and solenoid valve. Customer support is excellent, but longevity is a question mark. By contrast I have been using VPI machines since 1986 and have never needed anything other than new brushes for scrubbing the records. VPI machines are just about bullet proof.
The record collector, with a collection spanning decades and many old records of variable condition is more likely to be happier with a vacuum machine. These are more suited to removing the grunge, finger prints and what not that old records seem to accumulate. Also, old records usually have small scratches, wear from repeated play, or from being subjected ot an old or worn stylus etc and no RCM can fix those problems anyway. So, the vacuum RCM is just as effective as the US for all practical purposes on old records. Also, if you collect and clean old records in batches, the vacuum RCM is considerably faster in use. For those who value their time the vacuum RCM has added appeal.
Next, I want to mention the fact that not everybody needs a RCM. There are manual washing machines like the Spin Clean or the new EZ Washer from HumminGuru that do a terrific job and are more than adequate for the occasional record cleaning chore. These should also be considered for the US RCM owner who runs into the occasional batch of old, dirty records because the US machines do not do as good a job of scrubbing off things like finger prints. So, a first clean with one of these manual washers, followed by a run through the US RCM makes a lot of sense.
Saving the best for last, for those who want to take a deep dive, I want to recommend Neil Antinn's book, which is available for free on line and is the definitive resource on the subject. Here is the link; thevinylpress.com/precision-aqueous-cleaning-of-vinyl-records-3rd-edition/
I hope this is useful and let me know how you do.
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I don't buy used records but I do run all my new records through my DeGritter, just because it's so convenient and easy and gets rid of gunk from the pressing plant. I used to have a VPI machine but sold it because I never used it. If it wasn't an Ultrasonic like the DeGritter, I wouldn't even bother cleaning them. |
I buy both new and used records. I buy generally good quality and look for early pressings. I also buy good quality new records like Rhino High Fidelity or some of the AP issues, but not in the hundreds of dollars category. I have owned a Record Doctor and a Nessie vacuum machine. The Nessie did a good job, but it died and no service that I could find. So, I bit the bullit and bought a Degritter II. It is a great machine, just too much money. My routine is to run every record through the Degritter at least twice. Before that, I use a Kabuki brush to apply a Tergikleen solution to ensure the surficant is in the grooves. I have an extra water tank for a rinse cycle. This is loosely adapted from the process suggested by The Audiophile Man, a YouTuber who has done an excellent series of videos and a written record cleaning guide-highly recommended. He claims that his process improves sound quality. I was doubtful, but in recleaning some of my records, particularly used ones, I definately perceive improved sound. Maybe that's expectation bias or my imagination, but I certainly perceive a poisitive difference. |
To me, my belief is credible but where is the evidence either way? To demonstrate that a vacuum Record Cleaning Machine does remove very small particles is nigh impossible. I am talking particles in the 1-micron to 10-micron range which I have only seen pictured using an electron microscope. As far as I know, electron microscopes only operate in a vacuum. Furthermore, the record surface has first to be made conductive by spraying it with metal, for example by sputtering or vacuum deposition. Even scanning electron microscopes can only deal with small samples, so the record has to be cut into small sections without introducing more dust particles. You cannot do before and after comparisons using the same record I asked ChatGPT "how are electron microscopes used to photograph dust in a record groove" and I got this absolutely fascinating video Electron microscope slow-motion video of vinyl LP. For pictures of tiny dust particles, see Incredible photos of record grooves under an electron microscope — The Vinyl Factory Vacuum cleaners work by producing airflows, and it is the airflow that picks up dust. How much airflow would you expect at the bottom of a record groove? I dare not even mention the electrostatic forces at play ’gluing’ charged dust particles to vinyl |
My ultrasonic cleaner has Perspex disks to cover the labels and a waterline just under the label. The land between the label and the high-water mark makes visual comparisons between cleaned and uncleaned surfaces easy, and instructive! Your fish tank video hints at a commercial application, where trained fish nibble away at contaminants on the record surface. In fact, we have an untrained fish at work which spends all its time nibbling surfaces. I went to a salon on the Gold Coast where fish nibble away, cleaning detritus from your feet. There's even a mobile bus service Barefoot Fish – Love Your Feet. Sensational |
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