I have a VPI and Disc Doctor stuff. The Disc Doctor stuff works just as good, maybe even better than the VPI. Twl is right -- the only real difference is drying. With Disc Doctor, you let them dry in a dish rack (really! ask the Disc Doctor himself!). It's just more labor intensive than the VPI.
what to do before you get the vpi record cleaner?
I bought a Nottingham spacedeck and have nearly doubled my record collection to 800 in the last 2 months
problem is I am waiting to afford a VPI record cleaner
snap crackle and pop are having fun on my vinyl collection
I am using a decca (dry method) stylus brush
and stylast on the cartridge (with ultrasonic battery operated stylus cleaner)
any suggestions to clean records before I get the expensive cleaner? I don't want to engrain the dirty records (the flea market variety) by playing them and I don't want to destroy my expensive audiophile pressings (Japanese and MSFL)
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
thanks
Tom
problem is I am waiting to afford a VPI record cleaner
snap crackle and pop are having fun on my vinyl collection
I am using a decca (dry method) stylus brush
and stylast on the cartridge (with ultrasonic battery operated stylus cleaner)
any suggestions to clean records before I get the expensive cleaner? I don't want to engrain the dirty records (the flea market variety) by playing them and I don't want to destroy my expensive audiophile pressings (Japanese and MSFL)
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
thanks
Tom
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- 12 posts total
Use Disc Doctor, http://discdoc.com/. I've been committed user and fan of the VPI 17 for well over a decade and have used it to clean thousands of records. This past summer I had a chance to try the Disc Doctor cleaning process, and I was totally blown away by the significantly improved results with Disc Doctor. Now I use Disc Doctor and the VPI handles only the rinse and vacuum as I gradually work back through cleaning my record collection with DD. I never thought this is where I would end up on this topic; I wouldn't have believed the difference if I hadn't tried it. |
I add my second to the recommendations for the Disc Doctor and/or the kitchen sink. Also I have found that a standard power puff---a face powder applicator found in the cosmetic section of your local drug store---works well for the application of cleaning liquid and the scrubbing part of the cleaning process. After the scrubbing, a good rinse under the kitchen facuet removes most of the snap, crackle, and pop stuff. Then, if you're worried about the mineral residue left over from the tap water, you can rinse with purified water. |
Before you spend any serious money on a record cleaning machine check out the "record cleaning" thread for my home made record vac. A VPI or any other record VAC is just a simple vacuum which you can make yourself at a fraction of the cost. This is one of the easiest and most cost effective vinyl addict enhancements you can do. Record VAC's definitely make a huge difference. I have virtually no click or pop after cleaning with my home-made vac. The only problem is records that have been trashed by playing with a bad stylus. |
- 12 posts total