[Aman]

Okay, this is the last thread I will make on RCMs, I swear!

Simple question (audio asylum was no help

) - if I were to NOT clean my records with the record cleaning machine, just to do the dry clean and the occasional wet clean with my Bugg juice, will I be risking any sort of damage to the record? Or can the ticks and pops due to the absense of a machine be fixed once I receive one?

The reason is because I know I can live without one, since I have for this long - but if it will cause harm to my records to not have one otherwise, I will look for a used machine - but I would really prefer to get it from Todd if it wasn't going to cause any permenant damage.

So will something like that be fixable? Thanks!
-Andrew

 

[bln]

Many people have said that a thorough cleaning with the Disc Doctor brushes and either Disc Doctor or RRL fluid could be comparable to a VPI machine cleaning. The real advantage of the latter is convenience. A cheaper alternative to the Disc Doctor brush is offered by Music Direct. The cost of this brush and a bottle of fluid will be far less than a machine.

 

[tanfenton]

To the question of potential damage, I can't offer any solid evidence either way. I do know that the results of vacuum cleaning are highly variable. Noise can result from the type of pick-up used or the degree of wear the cartridge has undergone. It can be inherent in the pressing and this is pretty surely the case if the record in question appears as clean and reflective as I'm certain most of your records do. Or cleaning really could help. I find that a record that needs and will benefit in a profound way from a good scrub will be visible to you next to a new pressing or a softly handled '70s-vintage Columbia. If you get into thrifting and hitting garage sales, you'll want an RCM, but for now it seems to me like you are doing alright.

NGF

 

[Aman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bln Many people have said that a thorough cleaning with the Disc Doctor brushes and either Disc Doctor or RRL fluid could be comparable to a VPI machine cleaning. The real advantage of the latter is convenience. A cheaper alternative to the Disc Doctor brush is offered by Music Direct. The cost of this brush and a bottle of fluid will be far less than a machine.

Doesn't the vacuum really help the cleaning process, though?

Quote:

If you get into thrifting and hitting garage sales, you'll want an RCM, but for now it seems to me like you are doing alright.

Well I just scored on about 1,000 or so LPs from a friend that hadn't played then in a decade - and I do go to garage sales on Saturdays when I'm free to check out what's on sale... I guess just the fact that I can clean so many at a time is what makes the price so much? Or does the vacuum really make a big difference? Like you said, it can vary, but I have lots of new records too and lots of 70's Columbia pressings and I find that both of them really thrive when I use my Buggtussel fluid on them - hell, even my old RCA pressing of Jefferson Airplane's "After Bathing at Baxter's" lost some of its ticks and pops after using the Bugg juice - but I suppose REAL cleaning fluid and a REAL cleaning method may help (besides the whole use 1 brush to move the fluid and 1 brush to remove it method).

Is it dependent on the number of LPs you own? Because right now I'm nearing 3-4 thousand.

 

[JMT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aman Doesn't the vacuum really help the cleaning process, though?

Yes, it removes the contaminated fluid from the surface of the record.
Quote:

Well I just scored on about 1,000 or so LPs from a friend that hadn't played then in a decade - and I do go to garage sales on Saturdays when I'm free to check out what's on sale...

In my opinion, more reason to invest in a quality system. Quote:

I guess just the fact that I can clean so many at a time is what makes the price so much? Or does the vacuum really make a big difference?

See my comment above. Quote:

Is it dependent on the number of LPs you own? Because right now I'm nearing 3-4 thousand.

Cleaning all of those records will be a daunting task even with a record vacuum. My collection is only at around 1500 and it took me months to do an initial cleaning of them all. I could only do around 20 at a time before I would need to take a break.

 

[Aman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMT Yes, it removes the contaminated fluid from the surface of the record. In my opinion, more reason to invest in a quality system.See my comment above. Cleaning all of those records will be a daunting task even with a record vacuum. My collection is only at around 1500 and it took me months to do an initial cleaning of them all. I could only do around 20 at a time before I would need to take a break.

Well I think that I would only clean the LPs when I want to play them anyway. no?

I mean.. I can't listen to 3-4 thousand LPs in one sitting, after all

I think that I will do is invest in a disc doctor system for now, and when I can afford better, I'll add a quality RCM to the mix to allow myself for both the qualities of Disc Doctor and vacuum cleaning.

 

[daycart1]

I think there is some controversy about this. For many years, I used just a felt brush on my records and most of them are still in fine shape.

Linn (a leading electronics and TT manufacturer) recommends NO cleaning except for brushing dust bunnies from the stylus when necessary!

Anyhow, I've got a VPI vacuum cleaner now and like it...

 

[tanfenton]

I just saw your post at the VA.

You need to change your method of cleaning with your stylus still exhuming clods of dust. Record cleaning machine or not, you don't want to see that after each play.

NGF

 

[Aman]

Well I just discovered the Record Doctor III is now for sale at AudioAdvisor - I am not in the correct wealth class to be owning a VPI machine anyway, being a student and all

I think that the RD3 would be a good place to start, and with the Disc Doctor formula, I'm told, I really can't go wrong.

It's only 220 bucks or something for a brand new unit, too, which is great.

I really can't stand watching my stylus trail dirt and dust bunnies with it every time it plays a record. It makes me cringe every time

I am getting the machine, even if I could do better.

Thanks for the help guys! I will be ordering tomorrow (maybe)

 

[fishski13]

Aman,
take a look into the KAV-1 from KABUSA. add $30 for a small ShopVac from Home Depot.

Skoal,
Corey

 

[Aman]

I just talked to a very friendly guy named Matt from AudioAdvisor and he sold me the Record Doctor III with 60 new sleves for under 250 bucks.

Very good service and he was a very reassuring fella'

 

[kuma]

Record cleaning is not necessary.

Altho, for older moldy records, it is better to vacuum clean them before you ruin your cartridge.

I've done the AB with the vpi cleaning machine. No doubut that using it before you play lowe the noise floor and enhances clarity even on a new record.

When I was younger, I was rigorous in cleaning record using Dischwasher type of fluid and Zerostat and all that. This type of cleaning method can be deadly to a record since you are grinding a dirt with a wet liquid into the groove. I have many old recodrs with pristine condition yet it's virtually unlistenable now.

Dust sat on the surface of the record is harmless for most part and the surface noise can be virtually non existant so long as groove is clean.

Persoanly, i like the Rega method of cleaning. i.e. leave the dust on a needle and remove it when you see a dust ball.

Luckily, most of my records are new releases.

Only thing i use is the Zerodust for a cartridge from Japan.

 

[Blooze]

I know Aman is in a different situation than me as he has many, many albums and I'm just starting to look at TT's, but what would be a good starter setup for cleaning?

 

[JMT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blooze but what would be a good starter setup for cleaning?

I would recommend the Orbitrac 2 by Allsop. Inexpensive, and does a good job for a non-vacuum system.

 

[Blooze]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMT I would recommend the Orbitrac 2 by Allsop. Inexpensive, and does a good job for a non-vacuum system.

Thanks JMT. I've seen that and wondered if it would be a suitable starting point.