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Why are record cleaners so expensive?

Full disclosure: I have only the Spin-Clean record cleaner and a Hunt EDA brush to clean my vinyl, but as someone who's been in the digital side of audiophilia for decades, and as someone who knows how much gear can get in any dedicated hobby, I'm still curious as to why a high end vinyl cleaner can cost more than three grand.

I'm not disputing the price; after all, Smith said that something's worth whatever someone pays for it. Moreover, a high end record cleaner might be able to do things to vinyl that nothing else can. Still, paying three grand for an Audio Desk cleaner seems a bit out of reason. $3K can buy a good set of speakers; a hand-made fly-fishing rod based on your height and weight and arm length; two weeks at a Fijian resort for two; a custom-made suit from an Italian mill. So why is a glorified vacuum cleaner $3K?

Again, not flaming, just curious. Enlighten me?

s
128x128simao
whart's avatar
whart
3,039 posts
 
Actually, Slaw, I was responding to Cedar's post- where he described a DIY ultrasonic rig as a way of saving money. My post added an additional point- that there was a benefit to the DIY, in my estimation, over and above the commercial ultrasonics. That had nothing to do with you or your preferred methods. I'm sorry I got you upset over this. It was not my intention, and for those who know me on this board, I rarely engage in Internet sparring. Nobody is a 'bad guy,' and no one, in my estimation, needs absolution. Take it easy,
bill hart
whart's avatar
whart
3,039 posts
 
Sim- to answer your outstanding question, I've never used the Spin Clean or equivalent. By the time I started getting into record cleaning in the early '80s, the VPI was available and I bought one. I'm pretty agnostic when it comes to machines and methods. However, I do believe it is important to remove the cleaning fluid from the record (which, if it has done its job, has suspended within it, various contaminants from the record grooves). Apart from the ultrasonic machines addressed above, getting the (contaminated) fluid off the record usually involves a couple steps- a rinse step with some kind of purified water and vacuum. Getting the record "dry" is not the equivalent of removing the fluid/contaminant slurry. So, my assumption is that wiping the record dry will not fully remove it. Hope that helps. 
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,610 posts
 
For years I cleaned my records by hand.  I then bought a VPI 16.5 machine for about $600 and was in 7th heaven...still am.  It was a huge improvement and changed my LP listening experience.  Now I'm reading here about guys that have had the same machine moving up to more expensive brands... and getting much better results.  Wow....this hobby never stops, there's always something better out there...and more expensive.  A more expensive machine may yield better results for me, but I'm good just where I'm at.  I'm not going to pay more for the record cleaner than I paid for my phono preamp or turntable.
stevme
2 posts
 
OP poses a good question. Go to Amazon and search for ""ultra sonic cleaner". You will drop a record when you see the prices. 

Dont get me wrong; the machines look great, although some who have the machines are beginning to ask whether the high frequency scrubbing is scrubbing the high frequency data off the grooves, based on their actual listening experience: very quiet, but losses on the high end.  There ought to be a way to test for this. I would like some comfort on this point before committing an entire collection to the process. 

dgarretson
2,598 posts
 
From what I've read, the high frequency units  dislodge smaller particles, are gentler than the 40hz units, and require more time to get the job done.  I'm in process of shifting from a $170 40hz Chinese machine to a $1350 Elma Sonic German unit that sweeps 37hz-80hz with more power.  The Chinese unit does slightly better than my VPI 16.5.  I'm hoping for more performance from the Elma. 
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