What Cleaning Machine?


Have used a Nitty Gritty 1.5 for many years with OK results. Use their cleaning solution, as well. Probably time to consider an upgrade as many people have said the VPI cleaning machine is better - lower noise (cracks & pops).

Don't have any specific budget, but the VPI seems reasonable.

Also, what associated cleaning solutions do you use with good results?

Any suggestions are appreciated.
rballdude
The VPI 16.5 would be a nice step up for you. I went to it from a record doctor. No comparison, the VPI is easier to use and quicker. Less time cleaning means more time listening. They show up here used all the time in the 300-400 range. New is $500 I believe.
The Loricraft is 4X the price of the VPI 16.5 but worth every penny if you can swing it. LPs become as quiet as CDs without losing any of their much loved musicality.
If your budget allows, a Loricraft is indeed the answer. No RCM at any price (except a used Keith Monks, if you can find one) will compare with it.

Every other RCM starts with the same flawed design, vacuum wands and felt-covered slots. A record-straddling wand can't dry a warped record evenly or easily reach the the dirtiest portion of most used records, the area near a sloped lead-in groove. Felt-covered slots pick up contaminated fluid on every pass. You either clean the felts after every pass and replace them often or you get cross-contamination.

The Loricraft and Monks operate on completely different principles. They suffer none of the above problems and they're fairly quiet, no louder than your microwave oven.

Expensive but worth it IMO too.
I also second the RRL + Buggtussel Vinyl-Zyme recommendation. Vinyl Zyme is especially good at reducing sharp clicks and pops.