Vacuum Record Cleaner Rreplacement
I get most of my records from from garage sales and such, and they are typically pretty dirty. My record cleaning protocol is to run them through the vacuum record cleaner then the ultrasonic cleaner. If they have fingerprints or mold I’ll put them through the Neil Antin’s method. I’ve done it this way for years with good results.
Unfortunately, my venerable Music Hall WCS-2 needs a new cleaning wand and I’ve been told from numerous sources that the parts are no longer available. I started the hunt for a new vacuum cleaner and found a suitable replacement. Before I pull the trigger, I wanted to determine if I really need a vacuum cleaner if I’m using the ultrasonic. I’ve used both cleaners in succession more from habit than any practical reason, though I’ve convinced myself that the vacuum cleaner gets the big chunks off first and the ultrasonic does the fine, deep cleaning. I don’t know if this is true or not.
I’d like to know the thoughts of the group. I’m more than happy to buy another vacuum cleaner, but could always put that money toward something else if it is not needed.
Thanks in advance for your help.
I agree with @oberoniaomnia I use a Degritter MKII followed by a Record Doctor X when an album is first brought into my collection. For clean-up right before a play, I use a Keith Monks Discovery One. Buying a lot of used records I also have an Orb DF-01iA Record Flattener. |
I was inspired by a different thread on this subject. OP, I apologize because I cannot answer your specific question related to a vacuum an/or/vs an ultrasonic cleaner. I have invested in the Humminguru EZ Clean and the their US Nova. I am sure there are better and more expensive methods to clean records. But for my price point and where analogy sits in my music hierarchy all I can say is, wow, a tremendous difference. I have and have not added their cleaning formula to distilled water - I am not sure it has made a huge difference, but I know that cleaning process has made a difference. I wish you the best! |
@billstevenson got your private message, but cannot reply to it as I don't want to put payment info into AG. Re Rega Naia & Aphelion II, had it for about a year. Previous TT was a VPI Superprime scout with a SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC* cart and an Ortofon 2M black. [Before that a Thorens POS, let's not talk about that. Before that a Project 6.1. RIP.] Still use it with an EAT eglow petite, that should be upgraded. Also use a Zesto SUT, which made the overall sound fuller, more meaty, added more body. I use intermediate gain on SUT as well as PS, and give a bit more preamp volume to tune the sound to my liking on my system and room. Gainstaging makes a significant difference to me. Will go to Vienna in a couple of weeks to look around at HiEnd show. Immediately noticed tighter bass on the Naia&Aphelion, and overall crisper, more detailed sound. I have no idea whether that is due to TT or cart or both. I have not mounted either the SS or the 2M black on it. For rest of my system, see virtual system on AG. I like the bare bones design, compact package. I was concerned about lack of torque on belt drive, but no issues at all with the three belt approach. Dislikes: no adjustable feet, cannot be upgraded to TNG spinner feet because the feet are firmly glued? into the CF/foam base. Made my own leveling base (see virtual system). Actually have to switch out the spike feet to TNG spinner feet that I have sitting around. Was too busy finishing my latest book over last six months. Just reviewed soft proofs today :-) Felt mat sticks to records, replaced with leather mat from Wooden Bull, based on The Joy of Vinyl YouTube recommendation. Is much thicker, so VTA will be different. However, I cannot tell the difference in sound between thin felt and thick leather mat. Also never heard a difference when fiddling with VTA on the fly on the VPI, so am dismissing that "feature". Have you read Ghandi's Book on Rega? Explains a lot about his philosophy including not worrying too much about VTA. When selecting my new TT, I was first looking at heavier designs, like bigger VPI, Michell Gyrodec, some German M....., also re dual arm set-up. In reality, I am more of a music fan than a gear head. So get something decent, then set and forget it. Eventually, the ultralight&rigid design made sense to me, and the Naia is the top of the line in that philosophy. Just went for it [auditioning TTs is impossible these days], as there is no option to upgrade anymore. And for top of the line, it is relatively cheap. I listen to darkwave, new wave, cold wave, synth pop, EBM, electronica, some industrial, neofolk, weird avant garde stuff (Ece Canli, Laibach) on vinyl. |
I use a Vevor ultrasonic cleaner followed by a rinse in a big pan filled with Brita filtered water to which a small amount of Ilfoton has been added as a rinse aid. I then air dry overnight in the rack that came with the Vevor. I think the rinse water needs changing after a couple of dozen records but have no proof, except for monitoring the whiskers that accumulate of my stylus, mainly I think from new records. |
