do record cleaning fluids soften the treble?


Over many years of cleaning records with fluids containing a surfactant (not specified) I have come to the opinion that the process leads to a very slight softening of the treble. After cleaning the sound was more"cosy" and less extended in the treble. However I did not get this effect with the VPI fluid that came with my 16.5 machine. It made the sound somewhat drier. Anyone else noticed this /these effects? Any idea why???
rrm
Cleaning new and old lps is a must and a double rinse is the answer for clear noise free playback. What i find very interesting is if you dont include a small amount of a release agent to your rinse water you will leave behind residue.
Dave: Now,now,where then would that leave the others here who favor cleaning more as a matter of routine? Just kidding of course. There's plenty of room in this fascinating pastime for those taking the other road to optimal listening pleasure.
@RRM: Totally agree with the upper octaves (and there are other effects of cleaning too depending upon the fluid!). Another effect I find with fluids is a decrease in transparency, particularly as one listens deeper into the soundstage. It's not what the fluid takes off but how much fluid is left after cleaning. That was one reason that I switched from VPI or Nitty Gritty to other fluids. Like Albert, have found the RRL/MOFI to be much better in this regard, though some other new fluids are also quite good.

@Syntax: One problem with getting all the fluid off the LP is that the surface tension increases as the amount of fluid decreases. That's why some RCM manufacturers have made machines with more powerful or adjustable vacuum capabilities. I do feel however that one runs a risk with the higher vacuum in damaging the LP if the machine isn't properly aligned. There definitely is a difference say between the "ordinary" VPI machines and their Typhoon.
Hello Myles,
Yes, as I understand it, the VPI Typhoon is claimed to have twice the suction of the lesser VPI 16.5 RCM.

So, to ask further, are you then saying that this additional suction force is an advantage, or a possible detriment?

I do notice with my own VPI 16.5 RCM, when removing the final pure water AIVS Rinse, a tiny microscopic "mist", which quickly evaporates within a few seconds after.

I think all will agree, that the quality, and makeup of cleaner, and rinse used will play an influence, on just how much small detail information, and "air" would be robbed from a recording.

I would assume that this delicate information in the groove is not somehow being permanently removed, or damaged by a high quality cleaning-rinse process, and a good RCM?
Mark
Hi Mark:

What I'm saying is the first record that one uses with a new RCM should be a junk LP. That way, if there's anything wrong with the unit or misaligned (or for instance the first NG machines that used a teflon lip to cover the aperature), you don't ruin a perfectly good record!

Otherwise, there is a clear difference in my listening between the conventional and higher suction RCM machines such as the Typhoon.

And yes, except in the case of a machine causing groove damage, the sonic effects can be altered by other RCFS (well maybe with the exception of LAST--something that I'm not fond of).