Loricraft Record Cleaning

Cytocycle, I've been going to CES for many years and always make it a point to check out all the toys in the Musical Surroundings rooms. This year I again looked at the Double Matrix while chatting with one of Garth's reps. I specifically asked him about the carbon brush you mention and also got current pricing.

Even though there's a mirror and light, it's still difficult to clearly see what's going on. Besides, you're going from $3600 for the standard Matrix, which is a killer machine, to $5200 for the Double Matrix. I'm not so lazy that I can't clean one side at a time plus I'd rather take that extra $1600 and spend it on vinyl.

As for the carbon brush, I really don't see the need. I've had my Matrix 5 or 6 years and NEVER had a problem with static after cleaning a record. Neither have any of my three friends who own the same machine.

All these little add-ons and so called improvements do nothing to make your records any cleaner but they certainly give Clearaudio another excuse to raise their prices which they frequently do.

Rfogel8: I agree the prices are nuts now, the Clearaudio's don't have as big of a static problem because of the vaccuum pad is microfiber instead of the felt on the VPI. I keep mentioning the static issue because it was a HUGE problem for me at my house and using a carbon brush to dust my album on the turntable required a zerostat hit...
Yeah the prices went up so I went with the less expensive Smart version because I couldn't afford the smart Matrix.

I only mentioned the anti-static stuff because it was one of the reasons I was looking at buying the Loricraft because of they don't generate static when they vaccuum, I was considering the Loricraft prior and decided on the Clearaudio because I didn't want to do the string spool mod, plus I talked with a bunch of owners and you really need to step up to the 4 model to get the stronger pump to get a completely dry record as the base model sometimes
missed sections.

The other RCM I considered that was cheaper than the Clearaudio was the Hannl, but that was really hard to find in the US.

Cytocycle, I live in Michigan and have a forced air furnace with a flow through humidifier yet the air still gets pretty dry in the winter. Even so, I have no static problems with "cleaned" records. If you're wearing shoes around the house, particularly with rubber soles, I don't care where you live, you'll have problems.

I've heard that some carbon fiber brushes will cause static build-up and while I occasionally use one I really don't notice problems in that area either.

You might want to play around a bit with the ground wires to your table, arm and phono stage. Perhaps the problem lies elsewhere or at least part of the problem.

I appreciate the info, especially on the Clearaudio. It also looks like a very good machine.

For those who are using it... is there any problem transferring crud from one record to another. It would seem like they have some type of "lips" that must touch the surface of the record and as a result, must touch the dirty solution that's on the record surface. Is it a constant cleaning chore? How well does all this work on the lower end "Smart Matrix"?

It would seem that the thread keeps the loricraft head out of the dirty solution... or is there a cleaning issue as well.

Crem1: Thanks for your input on Steam Cleaning. It may be a good "In addition" to a RCM. The problem for me is that I'm an engineer, and run a production company. All day long, everything is a process. When I finally get home, and on the weekends, I'm not looking for another (process) job. I want to relax and listen to some good music. Cleaning the record is necessary, and I don't want to make it an activity unto itself, or a search for the "Holy Grail". I want to do the best I can with the least mess, fuss and noise.

Rfogel8: My condolences on the forced-air furnace issue. I live in Florida on the ocean... no furnace issues and with our humidity, no blue-arc's coming off my fingers as I grab a doorknob.

Cytocycle: I'll also take a look at the Hannl RCM.

Thanks to all!
Paul

Paul , I well appreciate your feelings on not wanting another process job. But what I believe you shall find is that RCM's are also a process ; sometimes more complicated than needed , time comsuming and the results don't always justify the effort. I have auditioned most RCMs or have been exposed to those my friends own save the matrix models. Too my ears the results are just about equal, regardless if one spends $ to $$$$$ . I suspect the reason is simple, all these cleaning machines are limited in suction power and ALL leave a "sonic fingerprint" that can not be fully appreciated until one has listened to a cleaned recording free of that artifact.

Frankly, for a "wipe and play" I recommend scientific static-free brushes that retail for about $30 US. Nothing can be easier for weekend plays. The brushes are far superior to any audio product but they have limitations. Steam Cleaning is generally a "once will do you" for the life of the LP, unless of course your living conditions are filled with dust and other airborne grime .

Don't get me wrong I feel that RCMs have a place ; I own a VPI 16 that works splendly to its limits. I combo the VPI and steam cleaning for remarkable results.

Thank you for your kind words. I wish you all the best, Charlie