Record Cleaning Machine

Hdm's reasons for not buying a Loricraft/Monks are quite reasonable, for him and his priorities. OTOH, like Mikelavigne I would never go backwards from my PRC3 to any wand-based design. The Loricraft's ease-of-use, quieter operation and 0% cross-contamination risk make it one of my "never sell" components.

From this discussion it's reasonable to deduce two sensible RCM strategies. One is acquisition-cost concious, the other demands best possible performance.

Those in the cost-concious camp can choose between DIY, KAB, NG or (at most) a VPI 16.5. To spend more than $500 on such a design would be unproductive. The VPI 17.5 is nearly as costly as a PRC3 and it's nowhere near as good. The Clearaudio Matrix is overpriced for an inherently inferior technical design, no matter how well made it is.

Those in the ultimate-performance camp can take the Loricraft model of their choice. A Monks will clean no better, though the two-platter models would clean faster. This should only matter to those with extremely large collections who intend to use a RCM in an intensive effort to clean thousands of LP's as quickly as possible.

Having built a DIY cleaner - and having modest but not abysmal skills - and now having a low-end NG, the NG is clearly better - easier to use, better contact point materials (where lp meets suction), smaller footprint, etc, etc. The main thing one has to be aware of with the NG is keeping this contact point clean.

Why not a Ultrasonic cleaner plus a vacuum type machine? This combination will definitely stands out most (all maybe?) vinyl cleaning method. Ultrasonic is safe to groove and very powerful to get everything out of the groove, and NO special cleaning fluid needed so you can just using warm water. There are many lab grade ultrasonic cleaners available on eBay cost from $250~600 depends on power and size. Once you have the vinyl cleaned by ultrasonic you can dry it by a vacuum type machine. If there still audibly noise then nothing on this planet can fix it.

I use the VPI 16.5 and am very happy with it for the price. The loricraft and monk is better, much better, but more costly. As for residue I did a little experiment. I use a Zerodust to cleam my stylus. When I had cleaned I would clean stylus after every playing and a little black dot would be present on the Zerodust dome. With most cleaning fluids I could play several to 1-2 doz. before I would see a visible dot, (I did not clean between each record as I was unable to detect residue). With the Audio Intelegent three part solution I have gone months and I have yet to find residue on my Zerodust. I "clean" my stylus still but have not had any residue develope. So in addition to RCM look at solutions. I would guess that one of the advantages of the AI soln. would be three seperate dips in soln. per side helps to remove loose debriss. This might not be as much of an issue with RCM such as the loricraft or monk. Oh, and the 16.5 is noisy.

I own the VPI 16.5,but have a different viewpoint.After cleaning multiple lp's,with it,I cannot clearly decipher the very subtle inner details of the finest "first pressings" that my record collection is "rife" with!

Good excuse to "sell" my wife on going for a Loricraft!

Also,after using my noisy but beloved VPI,I have a hard time hearing her call me in to dinner,from my dedicated room,which is about twenty feet from the kitchen.Good excuse #2,for going for a Loricraft.

Only problem is that I am currently sinking about three grand into my set-up,for mods/updates/new "gizmos",and am making an expensive "med school" graduation party for my son,next month.

Yet I really want a Loricraft!!!

Anyone have a solution to my dilemma? -:)