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KAB EV-1 record cleaner-what a pleasant surprise

I just bought a used KAB EV-1 manual record cleaner on the used market ($70 including a bottle of cleaner, padded applicator and a portable vacuum cleaner (Shark)). This machine is like a Nitty Gritty Record Cleaner model without the built-in vacuum cleaner, hence, the need for an external, hand-held one. I have never owned a record-cleaning machine before and have been thinking about getting one as I'm getting heavilly into vinyl again. I've been into this crazy hobby long enough that I was able to amass quite a few vinyl records (about 800 records) when the main playback in a given system was either a Rega 3 or Linn LP12. I eventually switched to digital player and really only went back to vinyl last year when I bought a Pro-ject Perspective and ended up getting a Denon DL-103 mc cartridge. Long story short, I'm back into the intoxicating world of vinyl and needed a decent record-cleaning machine without spending more than a couple of hundred dollars. Well, I ended up buying this KAB EV-1 that I didn't know anything about, but the seller said that I should give it a try given the price he was selling it for. I got the record cleaner today and after the first record....WOW!!!!! I was impressed!!! It works, it really works. For anyone of you out there in the market for an inexpensive record cleaner, this has to be on top of your shortlist!! Recommended highly. I am an extremely happy camper. Comments?
gemini
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Seems to me the more suction the better (up to a point of course)

NO, NO, NO.

Think back and review past experiences with *suction*. Just enough is just right. Just enough suction with slow movements is what works.

I have a Nitty Gritty Record Doctor II and use it just for final drying of already rinsed records. I use a Groovmaster to wash and thoroughly rinse my records with water. That way the Record Doctor's velvet pads do not get contaminated. The Groovmaster (available from eBay) is a fantastic device.

Groovmaster

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stoneface
2 posts
 
Thanks Psychicanimal ... I will look into the Groovmaster ... looks like a nice economical option for getting the initial layer of grime up and keeping the vacuuming appliance clean.

I have been cleaning my thrift shop finds in the sink with water and a dash of dishwashing detergent, using my fingers to rub the solution in a circular motion around the record and drying with a clean rag. I can't say that it has made a great difference in reducing crackles and pops. It dawned on me that I may be forcing some of the dust and grime further into the grooves with this process. So I ordered an EV-1 hoping that the vacuuming action will do a better job.
stltrains
845 posts
 
Stoneface i use a small shop vac with absolutely no problems. you will love the ease the KAB-1 has in LP cleaning, dont know if you saw the other post on this but i clean the first side not on the KAB-1 to not contanimate the vac brush. i use disc doctor fluid and brushes, good luck in the wonderful world of vinyl. mike
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