2. analog
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I'll never listen to another record...

...without cleaning it first.

Admittedly I've been very lazy in my pursuit of cleaning LPs - both old and new. Setting with dry brush cleaning only for decades.

Enter my new Loricraft PRC3. I've begun the daunting and arduous process of cleaning "every single LP" (worth cleaning of course - those 30+ year old teen year LPs are now being rounded up and put to the side - usually with deep scratches, beer stained covers and gatefolds with a "leafy" substance caught in the folds) in my collection. Starting with my favorites and what I consider audiophile recorded records first.

It's also starting another long put off task I've been avoiding for the better part of forty years: cataloging my collection. Cleaned records are now put into a spreadsheet and as if starting all over - these are the only records I'll put on the turntable. Forcing me to catalog them all. It's going to take some time tobesure. Periodically I'll save the list as a PDF and upload to my Android phone so that when I'm in the record stores browsing the record bins I'll be able to find out if I have the vinyl already.

Apart from what those with RCMs already know - the sonic benefits of a clean record and a sparkling clean stylus are extraordinary. Better late then never I suppose....
notec
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Notec, glad you've discovered the benefits of hygiene! Better late than never, as you said. ;-)

I'll respectfully disagree with the proposition that some records don't need cleaning. All records, old or new, benefit from cleaning.

One of the many ways to inadequately care for an LP is to play it uncleaned. Guess what happens when you scrape dirt along a plastic surface using a sharp diamond blade under pressure? Whether one hears the resulting damage depends on one's system and ears, but the damage is being done regardless.

Notec, search this forum for Loricraft and you'll find many tips and suggestions for getting the most from this excellent machine. Enjoy your newly unmasked music!
dev's avatar
dev
832 posts
 
Notec, congrats on your Loricraft PRC3 I actually just recieved my new PRC4 the other day as well and I'm very happy.

As per what Dougdeacon mentioned above it's true and if you read other posts you will see he has allot of great info. to contrubute but in the end it's your choice. After what I exspearienced first hand using my Loricraft I gotta say I won't be dropping my stylus down again on any of my records unless they have been cleaned first, why would I want to chance of abusing my stylus and/or cause any unessary damage and/or wear to the record, can't turn the clock back once done.

Enjoy!
stl114_nj
94 posts
 
If you like the record then duplicates are your friend. More copies to average the wear and tear with. I am using Catraxx to catalog my collection now since I cant remember whether I have a copy of something or not since I havent listened to all my records yet. It will be nice to have a list to travel with.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
In the last 3 years these RCM's started to move on the fast lane. I remember well, not so much was here, even at Audiogon. Same with fluids btw. Of course, some had a VPI unit, but more or less owning a RCM (one of the more expensive ones) was a bit exotic.
Now, lots of readers here are more and more interested, even in different working designs (Slot removal-VPI, Hannl & others, Point nozzle removal-Monks, Loricraft, Odyssey or now the latest Ultrasonic- Glaess) plus using a wide range of different fluids, regular cleaners, Enzymes, multi step solutions
and all owners have one in common:
All are happy, no way back, no matter what they have.
Everything is better than doing nothing. And it makes sense. The analog reproduction is mechanical and to take care that the record is in better (or best) condition gives everyone at once the feedback.
Audiogon has imo the best real information about them, because here are users who have all, what the market offers, linked with a healthy fun to do experiments and are not afraid to hear differences or write something which is for one or the other a problem.But, this is something, which moves us all forward. At the end of the day.
Happy listening.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Great post, Syntax.

Everything is better than doing nothing. And it makes sense. The analog reproduction is mechanical and to take care that the record is in better (or best) condition gives everyone at once the feedback.
Good summary.

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