higher end jazz vinyl: where to turn?

Paanders, I'm not familiar with the KAB unit, other than knowing he has a very good reputation for what he sells.

More than 25 years ago I bought a Nitty Gritty, their least expensive model which was manual. It did a very fine job of cleaning. Some years later I upgraded to a VPI because I wanted an automated machine. Does it clean any better? Possibly, but I would not say for sure. If cost is truly an issue, do a search for DIY machines. Several folks have reported satisfaction with those on line.

And I also have a different opinion from Salectric on cleaning 30 years ago. As someone already pointed out, we accepted "noisy" records then because we didn't know how different it could be.

Yes, a RCM will be more important for used records than new. But given the pricing for reissues, which records are you likely to buy in any number? And what about a year later when those new records are no longer new and have been played several times?

I've owned a KAB EV1 for about 5 years now and have cleaned probably 5000 records with it. I have no desire to "upgrade" to anything else and I've had records cleaned on a Monks in the past.

Effective record cleaning is as much about technique and quality of fluids used as the RCM which really only sucks the fluid off the record. While machines like the Loricraft and Monks would seem to have a technical advantage, the upfront cost has never seemed to be worth it to me. Below that, any slot based or wand based RCM does exactly the same thing, including a $25 shop vac with a modified crevice tool.

The KAB is extremely high value and works very well when combined with a decent home vac.

Pregnant pause during conversation...

"A shop vac with a modified crevice tool? Against these delicate vinyl platters?"

After the shock wears off, allow the thought-experiment to continue. Where might one find or how to make a modified crevice tool?

That's what gets me, there is nothing particularly complex about the idea of vacuuming cleaning liquid, dirt, and dust from a vinyl record except for needing to have right amount of suction.

Meanwhile, can we spend some time vetting used record shops that sell jazz vinyl over internet?

For example, I bought a handful of lps super-cheap from Dusty Grooves America in Chicago--old stuff like Betty Carter and James Moody for $3 or less (!)--and they ALL sounded great. Minimal snap, crackle, pop, even before cleaning. I'm impressed at price and quality!

By contrast, I just bought a handful of records from Wattsjazz (via ebay) and they were 3x (or more) the prices I paid from Dusty Groove and are ALL noisy as hell from track one on. I'm cleaning and double-cleaning, but will then have to ask for refund, considering they were rated as VG and VG++ and they're not even close to that. What a disappointment. Maybe this was an anomalous situation; I hope so.

And finally, my local record shop--Encore Records in Ann Arbor--does a little bit on online sales, though I buy there in person. I'm shocked at how good their stuff and the prices are always at or lower than ebay stores. Kudos!

Who are the online sellers who simply won't sell "good" (noisy) records because they find that to be in bad taste?

Any internet sellers of jazz vinyl (original, reissue, contemporary) to run to or run away from? I will pay extra to deal with nice people who love and support this art form and take it seriously!

The "modified crevice tool" (lots of variations on it actually):

http://www.teresaudio.com/haven/cleaner/cleaner.html

The KAB is a bit more elegant but the above link is interesting for those comfortable with DIY.

"considering they were rated as VG and VG++ and they're not even close to that"

As I pointed out in another thread, those ratings are COSMETIC only. They do NOT denote playback quality.

Y'all be cool,
Robert