Results from Beta Testers of New Formulas

Sean and all,

I don't dispute the need to break surface tension with some materials, but without knowing what stuff came off Jphii's records I would hesitate to say that heavy does of surfactant is the answer to all cleaning issues. Perhaps it is the enzymes or surfactant or the combination of the two. Just like setting up a system, there are trade-offs. Surfactants can be your friend but they can also work against you when trying to get everything back off the vinyl.

I just want to echo the thanks to all the testers out there. The results so far have me salivating for this PRCF solution as well.

I do have a question for you testers. Especially those, like Joe, who are seeing lots of stuff come off of what you thought where clean LP's. That is, do you see any deposits on the brushes you are using?

Dan_ed,

I started out with new Last brushes which are white for applying Paul's cleaning formulas. I first cleaned the records in my usual fashion which, IMO, is very thorough using brushes which were not new. When cleaning with Paul's stuff, I did notice more grunge on the new brushes. Understand, I don't have a lot of this fluid to waste and followed the directions to the letter. The ammount of dirt on these new brushes was not as great as you might believe from reading the above posts but it was noticeable, no doubt. I've understated my findings for fear of appearing as a shill for Paul. Again, I have no affiliation with Paul other than being a voluntary Beta tester, nor will I be entering any business relationship with him. I'd buy this stuff in a heartbeat and use it without fear but I can understand completely the concerns raised by others as far as leeching is concerned.

Unless I make some new discovery while using these fluids I'm going to end my postings to this thread with the following summary:

This stuff is good. It beats anything I've used by a wide margin. There are sonic benefits beyond reduced surface noise. The anti-static properties are a definite benefit. A little bit goes a long way. I've also found that used albums that are marginal in condition (visible scratches, poorly handled, very dirty, but don't look like they would skip) become very listenable. I've yet to clean any of my perfect audiophile pressing that I purchased new. I will do that without hesitation at some point but the excitement of otherwise noisy albums being quieted so much is where I'm concentrating my efforts. Remember, I've only got about one ounce of this stuff to play with.

For full disclosure to this group I offer the following also. I have contacted Paul requesting to buy the concentrate in whatever large quantity he would be willing to sell me. If the price was something I could afford at the time he would sell retail, I will try to buy a gallon of each. That would probably last me the rest of my life. Of course, with that kind of quantity I would be tempted to occassionaly gift a small amount to others along the way for them to try like has been done for me by other kind Audigon members.

If anyone has any questions for me I will be happy to respond to any emails or phone calls. I hope I've not appeared to "go over the top" with my recommendation but the temptation is there to do so. Again, it's that good.

Dan_ed,
So far, I'm not seeing any gunk on my brushes, however I am seeing more "dry fuzz" after a cleaning session on the velvet portion of the vacuum arm tube( VPI 16.5). More stuff is getting sucked out of the vinyl.
This, the lower amount of dust accumulating on the stylus and the shinier surfaces lead me to conclude that records are just "darn cleaner".
I do still have clicks & pops that aren't disappearing with some of the LPs, but some are definitely gone. Background groove noise is reduced, resulting in apparent increased dynamics.
I've got enough left to clean about 3-4 more LPs, so I want to take my time and look for the best candidates...

Sean, welcome back from your vacation. It's always nice when friends return home.
Cheers, Spencer

Hi Sean,
I'm not sure why you addressed that to me. I'm no chemist, so engaging me in a theoretical discussion of surfactant behaviors would waste my time and your brains! Confused here, as usual...

After doing about a dozen discs, the Last brushes I'm using show absolutely no discoloration. Better yet, my styli (two vinyl setups) stay clean as a whistle.

Put me down for a gallon, too, Paul. This stuff is dynamite. Although it's a bit depressing to look at 3,000+ Lps and think what's ahead :-)