Loricraft Record Cleaning

Jfrech, I am not talking about the obvious pops and clicks, rather the top end sounds brighter and the dynamics become more evident and quick. This is not at all to suggest that records cleaned with my several VPIs did not sound noticeably better than in their original condition. I strongly suggest that the substantially groove by groove cleaning with the Loricraft and Keith Monks machines is the better way to vacuum. I once got metal stuck in the pad on my VPI and ruined one place in several records before I noticed what was happening. I don't know where the tiny sliver of metal came from. At very least, with the Loricraft the advancement of the string would leave a single record damaged and perhaps not even this the the stronger vacuum might just suck it up immediately.

Initially, I used the Loricraft with Disc Doctor, RRL, AudioTop, and later L'Art du Son. I had used Disc Doctor with my VPI. Records that I initially cleaned with the Loricraft sounded better after another cleaning with the Walker. This is to suggest that both are contributing greatly to my results.

Jfrech -

Hi John. We had corresponded in the past. I went from the 16.5 to the Loricraft. To compare both machines, I would clean an LP on the 16.5 and listen to a cut. I would then clean with the Loricraft using the same fluid and listen again. The results were consistant for each LP. Lp's cleaned on the Loricraft were very noticably quieter with a lower noise floor, blacker more grainless background, better sense of space and depth and more tranaparent.

I would then clean the lp again thinking that maybe it was the second cleaning (first cleaned on the 16.5, listen and then clean on the Loricraft). After I would clean again on the 16.5, I lost the effects I heard after it was cleaned on the loricraft. My guess is that the wand that is used on the 16.5 would recontaminate the lp even though I would keep it clean.

The only drawback is that it takes longer and is more combersome using the Loricraft.

In my opinion...there IS no drawback. The Loricroft produces better results. Plus, it is quieter.....quiet enough to listen to records on the turntable while cleaning. A BIG plus, in my book!

Not cUmbersome at all.

I recently received the TW brand Hannl Mera EL. All I can say is that love it. It is semiautomatic in some ways. It uses a higher rotation speed as the default speed for the scrubbing process. It uses the lowest speed for vacuuming. The pump puts the right amount of fluid each time. It is quiet. And I don't hate cleaning records as I did before. The explanations above are perfect. I can set the suction higher if need be. I don't have static problems and can replace the vacuum arm if I want to do a manual application using a multi step process. While I am sure they work, I don't care for them. I always did a double rinse w. my VPI but using the Hannl fluid alone for me is good enough. Every LP sounds very good. I am sure the Loricraft is better, but I don't have the time & patience to deal w. its quircks. I want something that works for me. Not me for it. That is why I bought a RCM. Mind you, the vacuum is quiet enough that I can talk on the phone while cleaning records. It also has a fan to keep the motor cool and the extras aren't ridiculously priced. You don't need to screw on a piece of plastic to hold down the record. It is a puck that you just push on. The puck also seals the label from getting fluid on it. The suction tube is not plastic, but I think anodized aluminum. I can clean records at night without waking up the neighbors. Highly recommended. I considered the Loricraft. I believe it is better since it tracks each groove individually. But what good is it if you don't use it at will. Next to try L'Art du Son fluid. The 2 sided machines sound interesting but I can't imagine the upside down side getting as clean as the top. Finally, my records sound better than w. the 16.5. Is it the fluid (I was using RRL & DW) or the machine. I just don't care. It sounds better and I use it.

I used to have my cleaning woman clean my LPs w. the 16.5. That is how much I hated it. Now I do it myself.

Dgad, I also have the TW Hannl and agree with all your comments except for the supplied fluid.
I found it left my records with audible clicks and pops and disappointed me immensely.
When I changed to the L'Art du Son fluid, things were much better.