Record cleaning machines

reddfoxxwashyourass.jpg
 
I've never tried record cleaning machines. I just rinse my records in the sink and wipe dry with a soft towel. No scratches or label damage. Works for me!
 
I use a VPI 16.5. Pricey as hell for me, but I was using a manual method with a vacuum I modded and it worked great for a while until my hands started giving out and repetitive motion injury settled in. So I saved up for an RCM. I wanted to build my own RCM, but I can't draw or even glue two pieces of wood together. Plus I live in an apartment, so zero facilities. The good thing about the VPI is if anything goes south on it the same parts can be had lots of places. Actually a well built machine really.
Eric
 
My 1st RCM was a Nitty Gritty, followed years later by a VPI 16.5. Both did a credible job, but extremely loud and labor intensive. Yesterday I received a Klaudio ultrasonic RCM; cleaned and played about a dozen lp's ($1 used) that I had purchased recently and have been playing after cleaning on the VPI. The difference is astounding!! Much less surface noise, but the improvement in the sound is incredible. Better than new. I am a now a true believer! Drop the lp in and walk away. Relatively quiet too. Nice.
 
Nice!!! $4000 rcm's are taking over !! Lol.
I'd love to try it. I messed around with an audio desk one day it was cool and worked great.
 
My opinion is that the only thing really going for the $4000 RCMs is that they are much quieter than anything below them and full automation. (I would not mind a bit less noise myself,but $4k is not justified for that). Other than that it's just another RCM. My only real reservations with the $4k RCMs is the design. They are basically like a Spin Clean. You fill the vat with cleaning solution (or water) and after 2 or 3 records the fluid becomes too contaminated to effectively clean records. Eventually you just end up trying to clean records with dirty fluid, so you must drain it and refill several times for a small batch of records. One other difference is the use of ultrasonics on some. Someday I'd like to compare the effectiveness of ultrasonics on cleaning records vs conventional chemical and vacuum on a standard RCM. That said though, I imagine that if I had 800+ records, then one could almost justify getting a full auto 4k RCM, but $4k is still a bit steep in my opinion.
~Eric
 
I've got 10,000+ lp's and use a VPI 16.5 with no issues. Yes, it's loud but with proper care will last a long time. $4,000 for a rcm is the norm it seems but for that amount of cash I'll fill in my jazz and classical collection....

Dave
 
"My opinion is that the only thing really going for the $4000 RCMs is that they are much quieter than anything below them and full automation. Other than that it's just another RCM."

What I am experiencing is a dramatic improvement in resolution, clarity, depth and openness. As others have said, the ability of the stylus to travel lower in the groove because it is now free of gunk seems to be true. The resulting increase in 'vinyl glory' is indisputable. Your 'someday' is here now for users of ultrasonic cleaning! Less surface noise is secondary, but a reality. They are definately not "just another RCM."

As the owner of >3,000 LP'S, the cost per LP is well justified. Even my wife heard and saw that immediately!
 
MtnHam said:
"My opinion is that the only thing really going for the $4000 RCMs is that they are much quieter than anything below them and full automation. Other than that it's just another RCM."

What I am experiencing is a dramatic improvement in resolution, clarity, depth and openness. As others have said, the ability of the stylus to travel lower in the groove because it is now free of gunk seems to be true. The resulting increase in 'vinyl glory' is indisputable. Your 'someday' is here now for users of ultrasonic cleaning! Less surface noise is secondary, but a reality. They are definately not "just another RCM."

As the owner of >3,000 LP'S, the cost per LP is well justified. Even my wife heard and saw that immediately!
Click to expand...

I hate to break it to you, but an RCM is an RCM in function. Designs may vary, but function is the same as the goal is the same for us vinyl folk. I get the same results from my VPI 16.5, proper cleaning fluids and proper methods. The point is that the gunk gets removed, one way or the other. If I had >3,000 LPs there would be no question that I would go for something quieter and full auto. As much as I enjoy cleaning records, I would not want to think about doing 3000 without automation or something. What needs to be kept in mind is that a record's cleanliness is mostly dependent on the condition in which it starts. No proper RCM is better than any other at doing this. You can't restore a record that has been beaten or whatnot whether you use a $600 RCM or $4000 RCM. A polished turd is still a turd. Just like with systems, no amount of money spent or gear will give great sound quality if the source is no good.
 
To the OP - If you'd go $4k, why did you not go $5k and get the Keith Monk's RCM? Besides cost, what do you feel the advantages of the KLaudio RCM are over the Monk's which many consider to be the benchmark of RCM's? My DIY RCM uses the VPI wand, a 3 hp vacmotor and the motor and aluminum can from an ice cream maker. It works very well, but is large and despite having the vacmotor triple boxed too loud for after hours cleaning. I keep an eye out for a used/surplus vacuum pump to DIY a Monk's type RCM, because new vacuum pumps are spendy.
 
elcoholic said:
My DIY RCM uses the VPI wand, a 3 hp vacmotor and the motor and aluminum can from an ice cream maker. It works very well, but is large and despite having the vacmotor triple boxed to loud for after hours cleaning. I keep an eye out for a used/surplus vacuum pump to DIY a Monk's type RCM, because new vacuum pumps are spendy.
Click to expand...
Sounds cool!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top