I like the sound of vinyl, but I hate the clicks, pops and bad sound you can get with any album, including new ones-- even with a good pressing.
I use a ClearAudio Smart Matrix, which was spendy-- $1,600 when I bought it, and it has kept me in vinyl. The machine does a good job of cleaning the records, removing surface dirt, mold, vinyl, etc. Using the machine results in better sound, and fewer clicks and pops.
Cleaning your records won't make a lousy recording sound good. But, it will keep a good recording in much better condition (and sounding) than if you don't clean them-- even when they are new.
Well worth the time (and mess) in my view. I use Audio Intelligence fluid, followed by straight distilled water (with another brush). That seems to me to be sufficiently obsessive and sufficiently helpful in keeping my record collection sounding good.
I use a ClearAudio Smart Matrix, which was spendy-- $1,600 when I bought it, and it has kept me in vinyl. The machine does a good job of cleaning the records, removing surface dirt, mold, vinyl, etc. Using the machine results in better sound, and fewer clicks and pops.
Cleaning your records won't make a lousy recording sound good. But, it will keep a good recording in much better condition (and sounding) than if you don't clean them-- even when they are new.
Well worth the time (and mess) in my view. I use Audio Intelligence fluid, followed by straight distilled water (with another brush). That seems to me to be sufficiently obsessive and sufficiently helpful in keeping my record collection sounding good.