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Record Cleaning Machines

That's my experience I would like to share, probably the one or the other will benefit:
As a long time VPI 16.5 user, I always thought, the real important thing is the vacuum.
Cleaning fluid needs some time on the record to get into the grooves, helped by scrubbing.
And when 1 wash is not enough, ok, then another one ...

Now I got a Keith Monks RCM and I simply could not believe how much better that one is.
The vacuum with the string, which sucks every grrove is so much better it is hard to describe. No joke, I used records I cleaned* 5x times with my VPI and still had some noise, now it's gone. And, the fluid after the cleaning is DARK.
The improvement in dynamics was not subtle ...
I think, the Keith Monks is rare, really rare and there is another one, which I think is really interesting, it is based on the same system.
The Loricraft.
A excellent choice, too.

Happy listening.

* L'Art du Son
thomasheisig
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,957 posts
 
Yes, I believe you guys! I have the VPI 16.5 & I think that it is average. I've had it for over 2 yrs now & cleaning 2nd-hand LPs is a royal PITA with this machine. Sometimes 5 times is not enough! I give up & just listen with the pops, crackles & tics! :-(

I probably need to change my RCF too. Right now I use a home concoction of 91% alcohol, bottled water & Dawn dish cleaning liquid. I also use the VPI RCF. My plan is to switch to either Disc Doctor or RRL for phase 1 & to Orbitrac for phase 2.
fmpnd
468 posts
 
Hey Thomas. Doug, you knew I'd chime in here. My experiences with the Loricraft were identical to yours and Thomas' and I too had the VPI 16.5 for years. It still amazes me how much of a difference it makes.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Bombaywalla,
91% alchohol is far higher than any other formula I've seen. In addition, '4yanx' recently posted that there are ingredients in Dawn that could *possibly* damage some vinyl formulations. I know nothing of chemistry, but those facts would give me concern about those cleaning solutions, regardless of the RCM.

In addition to DD or RRL, check out the AIVS thread here:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1094604792&read&3&4&
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
Well, with respect to the KM, I'm glad to know that SOMETHING that costs 10-15 times more than what Im using yields more than a 5-10% increase in performance... :-)
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,927 posts
 
I'm jealous Thomas. Knowing your standards I believe what you say. I wish I could afford one of these myself.

I called Keith Monks in England last year and they mailed me a brochure and price. I think the dollar has slipped since then. I still have it on my wish list, especially after seeing the LC and Garrard 301's at the High End Show in London last month.
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