Record Cleaning Machine

Hdm's reasons for not buying a Loricraft/Monks are quite reasonable, for him and his priorities. OTOH, like Mikelavigne I would never go backwards from my PRC3 to any wand-based design. The Loricraft's ease-of-use, quieter operation and 0% cross-contamination risk make it one of my "never sell" components.

From this discussion it's reasonable to deduce two sensible RCM strategies. One is acquisition-cost concious, the other demands best possible performance.

Those in the cost-concious camp can choose between DIY, KAB, NG or (at most) a VPI 16.5. To spend more than $500 on such a design would be unproductive. The VPI 17.5 is nearly as costly as a PRC3 and it's nowhere near as good. The Clearaudio Matrix is overpriced for an inherently inferior technical design, no matter how well made it is.

Those in the ultimate-performance camp can take the Loricraft model of their choice. A Monks will clean no better, though the two-platter models would clean faster. This should only matter to those with extremely large collections who intend to use a RCM in an intensive effort to clean thousands of LP's as quickly as possible.

SirSpeedy,

Surely if you "sold" your wife you'd clear enough for a Loricraft. Where's the dilemma?

Rum,

I use the Loricraft fluid only for scummy records that don't clean up with my normal regimen. The Loricraft normal and heavy-duty fluids both contain large amounts of alchohol. I prefer not to use alchohol if possible.

My normal regimen includes RRL fluids, Vinyl-Zyme and Micro Care Premier. That handles 90% of all my records.