LP Cleaning Machines- looking for feedback from users

Dr. Solution -- Wed, 03/09/2011 - 19:41

My Nitty Gritty Model 2.5 died after several years of reliable service. I would like to purchase a replacement that was as efficient and easy to use, but was not so damned loud. All the information on the web seems to be from manufacturers and dealers, making it difficult to draw comparisons since every one speaks in superlatives about how great their LP cleaning machines are. Any opinions from LP lovers out there?

Steven Stone -- Thu, 03/10/2011 - 09:21

Yes, the Nitty Gritty was a loud machine.

I would look at the VPI 16.5. I've had mine for over 20 years - still going strong.

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

Ded Frag -- Mon, 03/14/2011 - 02:25

Well mine is still going strong after cleaning thousands and thousands of LP's but reliable? Nah! I've had two gaskets adjoining the vacuum pump perish and the lid fall off and man oh man this thing sure is loud, so loud in fact I wear ear muffs when using it.
Considering the quality of engineering that goes into VPI's turntables I can only assume VPI farm out the assembly of these things to another company.

paskinn -- Fri, 03/11/2011 - 11:08

The quietest machine I know is the UK based 'Loricraft' which isn't too bad at all...certainly a lot less noisy than the nitty gritty or VPI. I can even listen to music while cleaning my records. But wouldn't it be cheaper just to put up with the noise! I can't see that there is a huge difference in the ability to clean records, as long as the person is thorough.

Dr. Solution -- Fri, 03/11/2011 - 20:32

Steven and paskinn,
Thanks for you input. I hope other users will weigh in. The VPI Typhoon looks like it may be a good compromise compared with the uber $ European machines.

Sam -- Sat, 03/12/2011 - 04:22

The VPI16.5 has been many times considered as the #1 selling cleaning machine in the world. It's noisy but very affordable and reliability is top notch. If u can put up with the noise that's a good one for the short list.

Dr. Solution -- Sat, 03/12/2011 - 16:51

Sam,
Thank you for your seconding Steven's recommendation of the VPI 16.5. Presumably the 17 and Typhoon are its equal. I am contemplating the Typhoon because it is said to be quieter, but I haven't heard the two machines.

Peter Ayer -- Sat, 03/12/2011 - 13:17

I used to have the VPI 16.5. It cleaned well, is very reliable, fairly quick, but extremely noisy. It is a VERY good value. I replaced it with a Loricraft PRC4 Deluxe and a four-step AIVS cleaning solution. The Lori is much more expensive and much slower, especially with the four-step cleaning. However, it is MUCH quieter and the results, to my ears, are much better. I'm not sure it is because of the better solutions, the multi step process, or the point-nozzle technology of the Lori, but the results are a cleaner LP with lower noise floor, so dynamics improved as well as overall clarity and inner detail. It was like a major cartridge upgrade. For me, it is well worth the added time (25 min. per side) and cost, but I'm sure it is not for everybody.

Dr. Solution -- Sat, 03/12/2011 - 13:56

Peter,
Thank you. Wow 25 minutes per side! I hope it is fully automated.
Chris

Peter Ayer -- Sat, 03/12/2011 - 16:49

Yes, 25 minutes per side is a very long time. I have my cleaning station set up next to my computer, so it is really cleaning (soaking) as I do other things, like write this response. Here are my steps:

1. Pre-clean soak with AIVS #6. 5 min.
2. Enzyme soak with AIVS step1. 10 min.
3. Super cleaner (soap) with AIVS step2. 1min.
4. Pure water rinse with lab grade H2O. 1min.
5. Ultra pure water rinse with AIVS step3. 1min.
6. destat LP with Zerostat and flip over.
7. Repeat for 2nd side
8. demag both sides with Geneva bulk tape eraser
9. Insert LP in new MoFi inner sleeve
10. Insert jacket in new 5ml outer sleeve from SleeveCity.

I only do this once with new or used LPs and then just dry brush before each listen. Alternatively, one could cut out a few steps and use fewer solutions, save some time and get pretty close results, IMO. I just don't want to wear earplugs (a must with the 16.5) while I clean LPs and certainly not listen to that noise near the time I want to listen. My ears can't take that punishment. I realize it's not for everybody. And I think Steven Stone's comments are rather funny.

Steven Stone -- Sat, 03/12/2011 - 14:20

In 25 minutes you'd be surprised how clean I can get a record w/multiple solutions and passes. Heck, I can even do the Harvey Rosenberg routine - shower, bath, silk bathrobe, and clean the record...:)

You sure you didn't mean 25 seconds?!?

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

Dr. Solution -- Sat, 03/12/2011 - 16:40

Hey Steven,
How about a shoot out review of LP cleaning machines for TAS. As I have been looking into this purchase, I have found a dirth of information from the mags. Now there are several companies with multiple models, all of which look to be quality products. The topic seems ripe for a review.

Sam -- Sat, 03/12/2011 - 15:13

If you have thousands of records then one could spend up to 2 to 4 k on just cleaning machine. Otherwise think of how much music u could buy for 4k. It all depends on what u want and how picky u r. If the components in my rack cost the same as the accessory then I simply look elsewhere for something more reasonably priced and deal with it's weaknesses. These days no need to invest thousands and thousands on accessories.

Dr. Solution -- Sat, 03/12/2011 - 16:37

Sam,
Thank you for your comments. How true! However, I am at that point where I find the extra investment often pays dividends, albeit with the "law of diminishing returns" always at play. Anyway, I do have several thousand LPs (tens of thousands actually) and I listen to 2-3 every night, so a reliable, efficient (and quiet) LP cleaner is worth a lot to me.

Garth Nelson -- Sun, 03/13/2011 - 11:40

I have the Audio Desk it is very easy to use I do not know if it is the best but it is fairly quite easy to use and the records do sound better after they are cleaned with it. Hope this is of some help and it only takes a few minutes all automated.

Garth

Dr. Solution -- Mon, 03/14/2011 - 07:57

Thanks Garth. I've not heard of the Audio Desk. I'll look into it.

Peter Ayer -- Mon, 03/14/2011 - 10:57

You many want to do a search for the Audio Desk machine on Audiogon. There is quite a discussion on the machine's effectiveness and reliability. I did a direct comparison with my listening group between this machine and my Loricraft PRC4. The results were quite audible to all of us, though as Garth mentions, the Audio Desk is very easy and convenient and is a great solution for those who want fairly clean records without much hassle. It is expensive.

Dr. Solution -- Mon, 03/14/2011 - 11:42

Thanks Peter. I am leaning toward the VPI Typhoon as the LP cleaner that makes a reasonable compromise between cost, reliability, dB level and ease of use.