Rushton is right again. The minimal amount of static I get from the VPI which dries in 3 rotations can be eliminated with a Furutech Destat or similar tool. This is better than dried solution left on the record after an AD blow dry. That said, I have used the AD without a final rinse to great effect. But, when you are already in the insane clean program: Why have any impurities on the record? Why not go all the way?
VPI versus Ultrasonic cleaners
There have been rave reviews concerning ultrasonic record cleaners of all types. But no ones has ever put the records under a microscope. I am posting this because I have at 130x.
I purchased 2 of the same records, 1 ultrasonic cleaned and 1 not. I examined them and the ultrasonic cleaned record while cleaner was not fully clean. I contacted the seller and this was one of the drip dry cleaners.
I gave the ultrasonically record the following light cleaning (which did help it)
1 Docs miracle record misto sprayed and spread with a cotton makeup remover
2 Steam with distilled water
3 Vacuum with my VPI with a Delron tube (much better than the cheap clear one)
4 VPI record cleaner misto sprayed and spread with VPI brush
5 Steam with distilled water
6 Vacuum with my VPI
7 Steam with distilled water
The other record received the above process but repeating steps 1-3 and 6-7. So twice the cleaning
I re-examined them under 130x and showed the results to a couple others who agreed that while clean the double VPI processes looked better.
Listening wise they sounded the same. Listening was done on a SME20/3 with a Sumiko Palos presentation cartridge. Any difference should have been picked up.
Shame I can't quickly post the pictures. But in short if you have a good VPI process perhaps invest in a USB microscope and look at the record before buying another cleaner. If you do get an ultrasonic cleaner I think it needs to be the drying kind.
I purchased 2 of the same records, 1 ultrasonic cleaned and 1 not. I examined them and the ultrasonic cleaned record while cleaner was not fully clean. I contacted the seller and this was one of the drip dry cleaners.
I gave the ultrasonically record the following light cleaning (which did help it)
1 Docs miracle record misto sprayed and spread with a cotton makeup remover
2 Steam with distilled water
3 Vacuum with my VPI with a Delron tube (much better than the cheap clear one)
4 VPI record cleaner misto sprayed and spread with VPI brush
5 Steam with distilled water
6 Vacuum with my VPI
7 Steam with distilled water
The other record received the above process but repeating steps 1-3 and 6-7. So twice the cleaning
I re-examined them under 130x and showed the results to a couple others who agreed that while clean the double VPI processes looked better.
Listening wise they sounded the same. Listening was done on a SME20/3 with a Sumiko Palos presentation cartridge. Any difference should have been picked up.
Shame I can't quickly post the pictures. But in short if you have a good VPI process perhaps invest in a USB microscope and look at the record before buying another cleaner. If you do get an ultrasonic cleaner I think it needs to be the drying kind.
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- 18 posts total
- 18 posts total