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I finally bought a record cleaning machine $

I finally bought a RCM (VPI 16.5). While it most definitely makes for blacker backgrounds and removes a lot of the ticks and pops I seem to be picking up a lot of new noise that wasn't there before (a static sound). I am using Record Research Labs cleaner and (Deep cleaner on the really dirty stuff) followed by Last record preservative. I am trying not to run the vacum any more than I have to, as I read this can cause excessive static. My room is not overly dry or anything............... So what gives. Right now I am kinda bummed; I thought this was going to be the holy grail of those perfectly noise free records I have been dreaming about. Am I missing something? Do I have to spend more $$$ on one of those Zerostat guns?

Please help.

Chris

P.S. Sorry if this has already been discussed. I am lazy to search through the myriad of posts on RCM's right now.
cmo
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Where do you live Cmo? Static at this time of the year is not common. I suggest you rinse your records in distiled water. I would also suggest that you delete the Last treatment and see if that is the problem. I have not used Last in many years just for the reason that my records got noisy after using it.
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Rushton, you nailed it. The playback system has much to do with it. I have a TNT6/Wheaton/Helikon, Linn/Ittok/Grado, Oracle/SME/Blackbird and Horizon/Rega/Denon connected in my system at all times. I like them all but the VPI wins handsdown when it comes to music coming from a black background.

Wendell
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
CMO I have static problems in the winter and humidity problems in the summer. Both of these affect the sound of LPs. DOn't spend a bunch of money, but I wonder if a device for measuring relative humidity would let you get a handle on some of the static problem.

Plato do you have some problem with mental instability? Nothing Albert said deserved the scathing response you let fly. He was simply relating his experience!

Albert struggles to pay the bills and put food on the table just like anyone who posts here. I have known him for a couple of years and visited him twice. I have never observed him looking down on another person, or speaking abusively about their situation. I have seen him go out of his way to help a fellow traveler, and take a financial loss when one of those travelers stole from Albert when he was trying to help.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Rushton and Albert: If you will refer back to my post (the forth one down) you'll notice I said the same thing as regards RCF residue (not that it doesn't bear repeating, of course.) I strongly urge all of you, if you haven't done so already, to read Justin_time's two (rather lengthy but really good) posts on the subject. You can find them by typing RCF in the search field.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,348 posts
 
It's been my experience that the 16.5 is very critical about the angle of the pick up brush. It seems to leave a lot of gunk behind if not adjusted just so. The gunk ends up on the stylus which is definitely not good. I'd rather run the vacuum too long and then deal with the possibility of static rather than run the risk of having the record half-vacuumed.
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