Best value record cleaner/cleaning system


Thought I would ask the group -- when I was last in the analog game some 12-15 years ago it was a VPI or Nitty Gritty for record cleaning (that and the wood-handled Discwasher pad with red-bottle liquid, Zerostat and Decca CF brush for just before playing an LP)... are these still the go-to standard units, or has the state of the art / ’value’ options advanced to some other kits in the present? I see cleaner units now from Pro-ject, Music Hall, Spin Clean, etc etc.

In my case I am not trying to ’deep clean’ mistreated, flea market or recycled recors store records... just good hygiene maintenance-cleaning of a treasured collection - 80% regular records, 20% ’audiophile’ pressings.

Thanks in advance.
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goheelz,  thanks for the mention.  The Okki Nokki is based on the VPI.  metal construction, quieter and cleans in both directions.  Glad to hear your VPI is still Sucking!
My process: Spin Clean, then steam (using finger bowl to cover label), final dry off with micro fiber towel. Seems to work pretty well.

I have been using a KAB EV-1 ($169.00) for aout 10 years now. It’s a no-frills Nitty-Gritty style cleaner whic requires you to supply a canister vacum. I do clean garage sale records and I have been pleased with the results. KABUSA.com.


Now, however, there is the Record Doctor V, which is similar, but has an internal vacuum for about $200. If I were buying today, this is the machine I would purchase:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RDV




Not only is it important to deep clean but a vacuum is a must for removing any debris.  At the very least consider a nit with a vacuum - I use a Nitty Gritty MiniPro2.  I like the NG since the platter only touches the label area.
I use an old plastic Technics table with the belt removed for record support while I apply Disc Doctor cleaning fluid and scrub using the Disc Doctor cleaning pads. Then vacuum on the KAB EV-1 and back to the table for rinse using reverse osmosis H2O (Whole Foods) and then back to the EV-1. This process makes up for the only deficiency that I see of the EV-1, lack of lateral support while scrubbing. Have done hundreds of records like this.