Record Cleaning Machine - Loricraft PRC-3 vs. 4?


The Loricraft record cleaning machines look very promising, using a small point vacuum as opposed to a vacuum slot.

The PRC-4 has a stronger vacuum pump compared to the PRC-3, but is it really a significantly better choice in practice? (the difference in price, amortized over years of use and 1000's of cleanings, is less of a concern).

toronto416
Peter and David,

maybe it's between my ears about the cleaning speed being faster. i never had the PRC3 and PRC4 Dlx at the same time. there was 2 years between those 2 with just the Audio Desk. it just seems quite a bit faster with the PRC4......and since i'm happier i'm just going to skip merrily along thinking it's faster. :)

btw Peter, i want to thank you for your feedback on your cleaning process last year. since you posted that i had thought about changing and finally a couple of months ago i did. i'm also using that 3-step cleaning process, and you are right, it is better. thanks.
You are welcome, Mike. I have since added the AIVS No. 15 as a first step. It is another enzyme step and is well worth the time/effort. I also use two rinses, so the AIVS 3-step for me is actually 5-steps. Crazy, I know.

Dev, on very few occasions, my want skips about 1/16th of an inch about 3/4" in from the outside edge only when I do the first enzyme step. This happens about 1 in 30 times. I don't know why. I just redo the outer one inch and move to the next step. I think it might have something to do with the magnet drive under the arm base skipping somehow. Have you tried contacting Loricraft? I have not bothered.

Hiendmuse, I use zero tracking force. I find that the suction is enough to pull the arm to the LP and vacuum up all of the fluid.
Peteraayer, the 2.5 gram tracking force is per Loricraft instruction manual for the arm. You may find even better cleaning performance and no skipping if you adjust the counterweight at the end of the arm to this spec.
Peterayer, no I have not bothered too, doesn't seem to be high on my list but then I'm reminded when I have the problem again so now it's a must and I'll share their responce.

Is no one else besides Peterayer and myself having such, just curious.