best value - record cleaning machine

I really think after listening to many die hard analog fans. That your best bet is to buy a shark steam cleaner and a cheapo and I mean cheapo thrift store Turntable and start to steam clean.

Under $50 Shark Steam Cleaner...Using the 4" attatchment,cleaning is simple and exceptionally clean.......

I'd recommend any vacuum based cleaner. I had a VPI 16.5 and found a new Clear Audio Smart matrix on A'gon for $500. I sold my VPI for $400.

The Clear Audio is built better and quieter than the 16.5, but still noisy. It's bidirectional also.

Both machines achieve the same goal equally, I just like the build quality on the Clear Audio better. The reason I think the vacuum is necessary, is to remove all the crud to a separate tank with force, not just rinsing.

I'm happy with my KAB EV-1 manual cleaner (manual application and rotation). Needs to be connected to a regular home vacuum. I use MoFi cleaners currently.

$160 @ KABUSA.com

If you have the motivation to do so, I'd recommend building yourself one out of a ShopVac and an old turntable. Get yourself some Disk Doctor pads and brushes, and a quart of the MFSL Plus cleaning fluid.

I can honestly say this project provided the biggest "upgrade" to my system to date. I'll try to post a picture of my DIY Record Cleaner and process this weekend.