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Anyone out there own a Clearaudio Double Matrix Pro Sonic?

I have resisted buying a record cleaning device for four decades. Just have not needed one. However recently I was given a collection of 78s and LPs from the 50's and they are filthy. I would have to change the water in a Spin Clean after every record. I have researched the topic to death and have decided on the Double Matrix Pro Sonic. My thinking is that it does not recycle cleaning solution and it vacuum dries the record removing all the water and filth. I watched You Tubes of it working but nothing is ever said about durability. I can get one new for $5,500.00 but for that kind of money I expect it to out last me.

Comments from users will be greatly appreciated. 

128x128mijostyn
lewm
13,046 posts
 

VPI HW17, for much less money.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,898 posts
 

Yep - it’s fantastic because it has a full auto mode that cleans both sides at once so you can work a good clean in without interrupting the flow of a listening session. You can get a full clean done to dry in like 90 seconds. I could never live with those ultrasonic machines that have 5 minute (or more) cycles. And I HATE messing with manual brushing or steps of any kind. The auto mode also interleaves liquid applications with vacuuming, and uses both directions (not to mention the sonic vibration), so you get a lot of good cleaning power for a short time. There is also a "heavy duty" auto mode for really gnarly used records, and "eco" mode for quick touch-up of a previously cleaned record. Which I love.

So I’ve had mine since 2017 and 4 years in the liquid pump failed. Could still clean with manual functions and manually applied liquid, which worked but was no fun. Musical Surroundings (Clearaudio Distributor) got it taken care of quickly with a quick turnaround time. I clean "on average" several records a week, so not super high duty, but it has been 4+ years.

lewm
13,046 posts
 

I read the Clearaudio website on the Double Matrix. I too am enthused about the capacity to clean both sides of an LP at the same time. That IS a drawback of the HW17, the fact that in the process of cleaning the second side, you are forced to place the just cleaned side down on its cork platter. Whatever you decide, I recommend a distilled water rinse after the first vacuum. It gets rid of a residue of my cleaning solution that uses alcohol and a non-ionized detergent in water. So I clean, vacuum dry, wash with distilled water, vacuum dry again. I just use a squirt bottle to apply the water rinse. VPI now sell a higher end RCM that ranks above the HW17 in cost; I haven’t checked whether it too can clean both sides of an LP at the same time.

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