Record cleaning machine

Of course if you have the pennies to pay I believe the Monks is very good as is the Loricraft. I met a guy once who was building his own out an Lenco!

good value is the  project  , used one it good   .mine vpi 15/16   no problems after 15 years,,,

Take a look at Hannl. Cymbiosis has them. Definitely on my list after my Vpi 17 dies.

zoot posted:

I now have a nitty gritty machine ..... but is there a Truly superior machine?

I suppose it all depends on budget and how much you value noise, hands-on brushing, flipping, etc., versus more quiet, automated designs. There are $3K+ relatively hands-off RCMs out there with rave reviews. I use a $500 Okki Nokki with SRM tech brush for cleaning and Nitty Gritty nylon brush for washing. I also use Nitty Gritty velvets on the vacuum arm. MFSLs fluids, respectively. There was an initial learning curve finding the components to get the best results, but I feel I'm now dialed-in and would not get superior cleaning from a more expensive machine, save for convenience.

I use Clear Audio Matrix Pro - best to store it away as it’s not exactly small and quiet, but does a very good job.

Bob the Builder posted:

Of course if you have the pennies to pay I believe the Monks is very good as is the Loricraft. I met a guy once who was building his own out an Lenco!

Weren't the early Keith Monks or Loricraft cleaners based on a Lenco Idler drive?

Zoot, the Nitty Gritty's are basic, but they're good.  What I like best about them is that they only support the LP at the centre, so there's never any risk of contamination like you get with a full platter machine. The fully manual Model 1.0 may be a chore but to also allows total control of the cleaning process.  They have been around for ages so they're well supported for parts too, and they're not too expensive.

Beyond that, recently I've been most impressed with the Pro-Ject VC-S.  It's great value and in many ways a step up from the NG cleaner. The results have been superb and, flaky labels apart (the MkII has fixed this, so I'm told), it's an impressive bit of kit for the money. However, to really move things on I think you're looking at spending much more  and looking at the aforementioned Loricraft or Keith Monks, or perhaps one of the new ultrasonic cleaners that are appearing.

Adam Zielinski posted:

I use Clear Audio Matrix Pro - best to store it away as it’s not exactly small and quiet, but does a very good job.

Adam - is that the one that does 2x sides at once?

regards,

Lindsay

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

I use Clear Audio Matrix Pro - best to store it away as it’s not exactly small and quiet, but does a very good job.

Adam - is that the one that does 2x sides at once?

regards,

Lindsay

Lindsay - unfortunately not. 

But it can run clockwise and counterclockwise - helpful when cleaning dirty grooves. 

Adam

I use a Keith Monks Discovery One with good results but find the after sales service to be almost totally lacking and unacceptable.

For example, I have been though two KM dealers and directly to KM trying, at least twice, to get replacement nylon thread with no response from KM. Not what I would expect from a quality supplier so I gave up and saved myself the price of an LP and bought my own thread!

My experience may be unique and an exception but I would think twice before buying KM again even when they have a good product.

Richard

I use an old VPI-17 with no fan and dispense the Disc Doctor fluid manually.  It works very well.  I have been reluctant to pay up for an AudioDesk or the equivalent.

I use an Audio Desk Systeme ultrasonic RCM and find it very user friendly.

FYI, appears that Nitty Gritty will be shutting their doors ...may have already happened? The VPI products are robust and fairly priced. Hannl is the Cadillac of the vacuum  spin machines imo. Monks and ultrasonics are a different proposition.

ATB,

Mark

I use a VPI too. Very effective but noisy. 

Dozey posted:

I use an Audio Desk Systeme ultrasonic RCM and find it very user friendly.

Agreed. Used a Nitty Gritty for years, but with them going out of business, took advantage of an attractive sale and bought an AD Pro.  Have cleaned about 200 records so far, and am very pleased with the results - easy to use, quieter surfaces and no static. Am keeping my NG to use as a first pass for “barn finds” as this should lengthen the time between AD fluid changes.

Richard Dane posted:

 What I like best about them is that they only support the LP at the centre, so there's never any risk of contamination like you get with a full platter machine.

I just keep a spare mat around to use before the first side gets cleaned.

I started out with a PHK, which is great value. I moved to a Loricraft for the reduced noise and the benefit of always having a new medium contact a side before cleaning (the thread).

My Dad has an NG and though serviceable, I feel it's not the most user-friendly machine out there. Something like the ProJect or NG would be better if looking for something with an integrated vacuum (unlike the PHK).

Thing is with record cleaning machines, as long as they use suitable fluid to loosen the muck and subsequently suck it all off, the only difference in them is convenience. There's no way to test the efficiency other than to check whether, after a clean or two, any noise disappears. And if it doesn't then no amount of extra cleaning, or use of a different machine, will cure it.

Really pleased with my Loricraft PRCM4. The great thing is that the SQ improves quite noticeably. It goes both directions and is built like a tank, and comes with a brush that really gets into the groves. 

Phil

The Audio Desk RCM is just an essential component for me -- I have convinced even my wife, even though she thinks owning a RCM is the clear indication of being completely utterly insane...

Filipe posted:

Really pleased with my Loricraft PRCM4. The great thing is that the SQ improves quite noticeably. It goes both directions and is built like a tank, and comes with a brush that really gets into the groves. 

Phil

I also have the same Loricraft machine. Very very good. I’d recommend one to anyone. 

I have a Nessie Vinylmaster. I like it because it's relatively quiet and cleans a record with a single press of a button (albeit that you have to move first the cleaning brush and then the vacum head over the record). It also looks nice, in my opinion, alongside the record player which is important for the better half...

I have the Audio Desk simply because I got a good deal, there had to be some domestic acceptability, the Pristine Vinyl definitely won on looks, but the Audio Desk had the smallest footprint and there happened to be a suitable space. Dearly beloved hears the difference and says yes.

I wouldn't be without it.

Which is best? What you can afford and you can accomodate. A wet cleaner reduces static, dust and according to the instruction leaflet with the phono cartridge, stylus wear.

I have a loricraft prc4 for several years now. It's very solidly built. It's a bigger investment at the moment but I think pays off as it's a lifetimes investment. It also comes in a very nice looking wooden plinth and a clear lid can be added separately at reasonable cost which I would recommend. It's works flawlessly and cleaning time is not too bad. Only drawback is the pump is quite noisy.  I think the prc6 is basically a prc4 in a noise reduced fashion, yet at a significantly higher price tag. I personally never bothered with the noise it makes, but you may find it annoying when listening to music and simultaneously wash another record. I cant comment on other washers but found the Lori always aesthetically more appealing than for example a Keith monk. 

I use a VP16.5 which is a 1987 vintage still working with no problems. I had a Keith Monks in early 1980’s but I much prefer the VP.

Regards,

Martin

Not being made of money I had always thought a proper machine way out of my pocket but recently I managed to afford one and after looking around I settled for an Okki Nokki and am more than impressed infact i think its an amazing machine!