Frustrated with Vinly

Variation on the Spin Clean theme... give this very economic solution consideration...

First, try two Spin Cleans. The second for just a distilled water rinse. Second, if you are not ready for the investment of an ultrasonic cleaner maybe the KAB-EV1 would bring the reduction in clicks and pops you seek. Here is their website followed by a Youtube video which documents the benefits of the device - evidence that I can also demonstrate by my own use.

https://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/rcleaner.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE0ATYCXstk

Basically this is a cost friendly device to allow you to vacuum up the liquid from the vinyl once you have used the Spin Cleans. As they explain on the website - it is a nitty gritty cleaner but without a vac. You would use your own household vac as a substitute. Personally I use an Eureka Mighty Mac cleaner...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWReJHgbVvg

Yes, an investment in MoFi inner sleeves as well as any new outer sleeve will also pay dividends in keeping out static and keeping covers from falling apart.

I look forward to buying my first ultra sonic cleaner. In the meantime this combination of devices has kept my vinyl frustration to a minimum.

Hi jay,
If it is new records you are playing cleaning them will not do anything except make things worse. Some record companies just do a crappy job of pressing records. I have $75,000 worth of record playing stuff and I never clean a record I purchased from new. A dust cover and a conductive sweep arm are all I use.Having said all this
Some phono amps will do a better job of amplifying the signal without exaggerating the pops. I also think MC cartridges are more forgiving in this regard.
Having said all this, some people are more aggravated by extraneous noise. Tradition and romanticism do not matter as much. They are better off staying with digital sources.   

Use a zero stat gun before playing and spot dry clean/remove dust with audioquest’s new brush....should make a difference. I swear by vinyl revival products from the uk, great cleaning results from a manual form of record cleaning, but it is pricey. I hardly ever buy brand new records.....I have had great success in procuring sealed original pressings, whether they be 1st pressings or 2nd run pressings (heck even 3rd). They sound a heck of a lot better than anything available today at least to my ears. Most of today’s new records are not from original analog tape, but are derived via digital means albeit no better than just buying the compact disc. There are of course some exceptions, for instance classic records (defunct, but now bought and owned by acoustic sounds), and some mofi recordings.
Also, in my opinion only, you really need to spend upwards of $1500 to $2000 on a turntable outfitted with a high quality moving coil cartridge (again my opinion, not to snob moving magnets) to really hear what vinyl is all about. The Hana El moving coil is a great cartridge for example, but you will spend close to $500 bucks. It’s big brother the SL is even better with the shibata stylus. Leveling the turntable to the nines as well as isolation such as a sturdy turntable shelf can make a big difference, as well as playing around with the VTA. I’m new to adjusting the VTA and I’m a believer as it made a world of difference with my hana el. You know what's more frustrating than tics and pops? Breaking a tonearm lead while changing out a cartridge...then having to solder it back on! 🙄

If it is new records you are playing cleaning them will not do anything except make things worse. Some record companies just do a crappy job of pressing records. I have $75,000 worth of record playing stuff and I never clean a record I purchased from new.

It is nice to see a bit of common sense in this thread, because prior to this post i thought all they do is cleaning records instead of actually enjoying music.