2. analog
  3. 124008-527

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
 
I don't hear that voice. I do like vintage bikes, though. Gave up riding a few years ago. Mostly had Italian bikes, though I did have one Harley- a V-Rod, which was a great motor in search of a decent bike. The chassis flexed, the brakes didn't work very well (I was told that's typical for HD), so I installed Brembos on it and stripped it down to a bobber.  It was actually a nice bike at cruising speeds, heavy, low, easy to ride, but not very nimble. If I were going to analogize the cleaning machines I have here to bikes, the Monks is almost like a Brough- dated in design, but still performs at the top tier. Only difference, it doesn't leak oil. :) 

minkwelder
255 posts
 
samzx12:
Oh man, now slaw knows where you live!

dgarretson:
Had my 916 stolen 6 years ago. You're not riding mine, are you? ;-)


terry9
2,333 posts
 
DG, you are going to LOVE that Elmasonic. Nothing like German precision, here as elsewhere. I clean for 12 minutes at 80 KH, more for the very dirty. Enjoy!

Steve, it's very simple to test: clean a record the conventional way, dip it half into the US tank, cook it for an hour, rinse, dry, and play. The sound will change dramatically about every second. If you prefer the sound from the US side, you have your answer. This I have done - and the answer, to me, is obvious.
pops
2,275 posts
 
Simao, great question you pose.  If you have not been around agon that long you probably were not expecting an ambush!  Some around here wear their opinions and stereo hobby on their shoulders.

i have used a VPI 16.5 for years and it has worked wonders.  Do I enjoy cleaning records....no, is it a little labor intensive....yes.  But all things vinyl come with a little work but the end results are worth it for me.  And I agree, memories are way better than material objects!

good listening. 

stevme
2 posts
 
Terry

The question I was trying to raise is whether an ultrasonic cleaner achieves its results at the expense of loss of high frequency data. There have been some anecdotal reports of this result:  cleaned records are silent, but lacking in presence. If true, this would be a serious problem, as it goes to a principal benefit of vinyl as a music source.  One could test for this by measuring frequency response before and after ultrasonic cleaning. 

Steve
More to discover