Preview: Spin-Clean Record Washing System
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I suppose I’m a lot like a great many vinyl fanciers. I don’t own an archival collection but it’s a good assortment with a mix of personal faves and nostalgia, and occasional killer super-discs. While it would be cool to have a full, honking automated-record cleaning machine, I don’t have the extra space to dedicate to it and I wouldn’t use it often enough to justify the expense. What I need is something light, efficient, and easy-to-store–not another noisy appliance.
Meet my new best friend, Spin-Clean. This record washing system is a bare-bones, manual design. Note, it’s a system not a machine-the human body does the "heavy lifting" here. Sublimely easy, there’s nothing to plug in– just fill the unit with distilled water up to the indicated fill-line and add a capful of the cleaning solution (a non-alcohol based liquid), slide the record between the opposing micro-brushes in the tub with the records edges just resting against the adjustable rollers (for 12”, 10” and 7” records) and give it three full rotations. (In fact one of the reasons that the unit is bright yellow is to make it easier to see the dirt collecting at the tub’s bottom.) Remove the record, let the residual solution drip down into the tub and apply a few circular passes with the supplied lint free cotton cloths. The air in the room does the rest of the work. The result is a disc that is suddenly as black and shiny as the day you brought it home–maybe more so in the case of a pre-owned purchase.
Does it work? Does it ever. On a prized direct-to-disc recording like the Atlanta Brass Ensemble’s Sonic Fireworks [Crystal Clear] which to my knowledge has never been cleaned (although well cared for overall) in over thirty years the difference was marked by an overall reduction in background noise, a removal of most tiny snaps and crackles from the lead-in groove right through to the end. Quieter surfaces translate to improved dynamic range and low level resolution. Is it as convenient as the fully robotic machines? Maybe not, but on balance I frankly feel a bit better about myself in kind of the same way I do when I polish my car on a spring morning. I could take it in for "detailing" but I just wouldn't have the same feeling of satisfaction. That, and the fact that this is a truly "Green" product, all the energy expended is totally off the grid. Look for my full review in an upcoming issue of TAS. The basic kit includes cleaning solution and cloths but replacement supplies are readily available. Price: $59.99 store.acousticsound.com or see the demo at garage-a-records.com.
Comments
Hi, Neil!
This sure seems like a fantastic way to treat LP's, and affordable, too. I don't have the place to put a heavy, expensive machine, but have the desire to make my extensive LP collection quieter. It seems to fit my always frugal self, make an improvement, and get me involved with the whole process, which is a big part of the LP experience, anyway. I will be ordering one.
Thanks for the review.
Priceless! Mike
VinylGuy
You're welcome-it really does work as advertised. It's ideal for me. Love my LPs but not to the point where I'm running a cleaning machine more than listening to the actual music. Also I like the fact that it's silent-some of the automated machines are just too noisy.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Try earplugs.
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I wonder how it would compare to the Disc Doctor cleaning kit.
I think the Disc Doctor is limited to a brush and a cleaning solution. I'm sure the final result would be similar but the trough/roller aspect of the Spin Clean does ease the procedure a great deal.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Ah Ha! I bought one of these from Garage-a-Records about 18 months ago, having used vacuum m/cs of various ilks and not being impressed. Being on a tight budget, the $60+ price was a stretch for mere accessories. Until I used it! Most of my LP's are 50's through 70's vintage, and not having ditched vinyl in the interim, "rice krispies" have been an integral part of my listening experience. I chose my worst condition LP from 1969 by Steamhammer as a test; followed the instructions faithfully, except I used distilled water in the solution. What amazed me was the amount of dirt in the trough afterwards! What was even more amazing: one had to crank up the volume to hear any rice krispies on what had been an almost unplayable record to the point of buying a CD! NO MORE! I used up the entire bottle of solution on my modest collection and then purchased a new bottle and spare pads. The cloths however I merely soak/wash out in a weak detergent solution in boiled distilled water.
I discovered that if you do the spin process in the trough on any record, thereafter you can use a spare Carbon Fibre brush to dip in the solution; record on the turntable, use the brush per normal, then fold the cloth bunched tightly flat and mop up the residual that way. The records continue to get quieter. I don't know if it's the solution or the process but, despite all the elbow grease involved, the results make it well worthwhile. An EXCELLENT product and by Hi-End Audio standards, a STEAL even though when you get it he feeling is: overpriced. It isn't. Search over in this department!
addendum: make sure you clean the dirt from the bottom before re-filling!
Hi, thanks for the review.
So this looks very similar to the Knosti kit available from Germany and which seems to be well loved too. Has anybody here used both and if so, any chance of comparative comments?
My main question is, how is water prevented from dripping over the central label as you turn the record?
And also, I have been given a collection of old vinyls with a lot of surface mould on them, would this be effective in removing the mould?
Good question-I suppose if you rotate the record too slowly the solution will start seeping onto the label but it only takes three good rotations and a quick swirl of the cotton cloth to dry things completely.
Not quite sure how bad the surface mold is-you might send a note to the indicated website and inquire. I'll try to get you answer though.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
I spoke with the Spin Clean developer and he states that cleaning heavy surface dirt and mold is not a problem providing you thoroughly clean the brushes, roller and The Unit after completion.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Thank you very much for your help, I'll definitely give it a try if/as soon as I can get my hands on it here in Europe.
Well... Dang Neil! It's now backordered everywhere. Way to go ;-)
Sorry about that, but like they say–value never goes out of style ;-)
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Sadly, everyone has it on a backorder status at this time, so we, who haven't yet got one, will have to wait.
I have been using a Discwasher brush and "Gruv-Glide"sprayed on the brush for years, so I'll have to stick with that for a while longer.
Mike
VinylGuy
Yea, I was a Discwasher and semi-auto Nitty Gritty guy for years. the Spin Clean kind of splits the difference in terms of convenience. But it cleans best of all.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
The Knosti looks like it has a spindle insert which would control the rotation and keep the record moving parallel to the grooves thru the brushes rather than a possible perpendicular to groove move that could happen with the Spin-Clean as you rotate the disk if you place your hand to low around the edge of the record
I just received my Spin Clean unit and I LOVE IT!!!!!
I "cleaned" a record with LAST Power cleaner and LAST regular cleaner and heard some pops & tics. Then I cleaned it with the Spin Clean unit and dried with my Nitty Gritty 1.5Fi unit and NO MORE NOISE!!!!! BTW, the instructions don't mention anything about distilled water so I used tap water with GREAT results!
I ordered the SpinClean and some accessories about two weeks ago and am wondering how long this is going to be back ordered. When can I expect receipt? Given all the good reviews, I'm anxious to start cleaning my old collection. I presume it will work on 78 and 45 rps, right? D
I ordered the SpinClean and some accessories about two weeks ago and am wondering how long this is going to be back ordered. When can I expect receipt? Given all the good reviews, I'm anxious to start cleaning my old collection. I presume it will work on 78 and 45 rps, right? D
I ordered the SpinClean and some accessories about two weeks ago and am wondering how long this is going to be back ordered. When can I expect receipt? Given all the good reviews, I'm anxious to start cleaning my old collection. I presume it will work on 78 and 45 rps, right? D
the rollers are adjustable for 7-inch, 10 & 12-inch records.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Wonderful product - and review of course. A must for record users.
Followed the link to the product info and it says at point 4 "the static is removed".
While this is great, it would be perfect if the static stayed away. I use a product known from the 80's "Permostat" and this fluid made the records anti static. Which is an added bonus as the records stay clean for a longer period.
Now it could be this product does that too, but i found the statement not so convincing.
The other part is the drying. Sounds weird one has to dry the record with a cloth, the older systems dried vertically in a frame which could hold 10 records.
This way it is possible to work in batches.
Btw this post is merely to inform you, not a critic of any kind. Maybe it can help the manufacturer to improve this item further.
Regards,Michel (Netherlands).
The Spin Clean works great and is very easy to use. After wiping with enclosed cloth records air dry quickly.
If you use the 4 oz. bottle that comes standard, use 3 capfuls of cleaner(one capful for 16 or 32 oz. size) and pour them over the brushes after it is filled with water.
Someone recommended using Dasani water as it is free of minerals etc. I haven't tried this yet. Seems to work fine with my Pur filtered water.
Well i just had to order some whirlpool parts for my washing machine and get it running again my wife is so happy that were not taking clothes to the laundromat anymore.