Cleaning records

what purpose does the vinegar serve?

Not really cleaning your records though are you? The wipe clean solution simply pretty's records up, makes them shine and maybe removes the worst marks.

Real cleaning methods require vacuums such as Loricraft or Keith Monk

siman91
Real cleaning methods require vacuums such as Loricraft or Keith Monk

Careful, I mentioned this fact years ago and got relentlessly abused. Someone even said you don't need a vacuum because playing the record pulls all the debris out.......yep and I bet their cheap stylus was dull mis shaped and quickly damaging their records with each "clean"

[quote=AskeladdenBlack][/quote]

I will always express my opinion, popular or not. I know the Loricraft I have owned for 15 plus years does a great job.

siman91
I will always express my opinion, popular or not. I know the Loricraft I have owned for 15 plus years does a great job.

As I did about my Smart Matrix however apparently I was told a wipe with a rag does just as good a job.........silly me.

I would not a Smart Matrix up with Loricraft or Monk machines, different principle. The slot vac is ok but depends heavily on the brush or fabric where as Loricraft and Monk have a tone arm style head which is separated from the record surface by a tread only. Cleaner, more accurate and gives amazing results.

You pay for what you get I guess.

siman91
I would not a Smart Matrix up with Loricraft or Monk machines, different principle. The slot vac is ok but depends heavily on the brush or fabric where as Loricraft and Monk have a tone arm style head which is separated from the record surface by a tread only. Cleaner, more accurate and gives amazing results.

You pay for what you get I guess.

For sure, I am currently looking at replacing the Clear Audio machine with the Audio Desk Systeme Pro Vinyl Cleaner if I can stretch the budget that far, if not I will go for a Loricraft.

Cavitation cleaning machines are the best, just freaking expensive.

We can debate the which one, but regardless, you need a vacuum, otherwise you are essentially moving the particles around.

jancito303
We can debate the which one, but regardless, you need a vacuum, otherwise you are essentially moving the particles around.

Agreed

I'm so at a loss here, now. I've spent a fair amount of money on equipment for cleaning my records. I spent over £250 on my first ultrasonic cleaner, which went kaput (my own fault), and about £200 on my second. I've also recently spent £300 on a Pro-Ject vacuum machine. Most of my records have been ultrasounded and then vacuumed and, to boot, treated with a zerostat gun that cost me nearly £70. I'm finding it hard to believe that every single one of my records has some groove damage, so what gives? Why am I still hearing quite a lot of static pops and crackles? What do I need to do to get good-sounding records? I'm just so fed up now, I feel like selling my whole collection and getting CDs instead. Yeah, I know that CDs typically have much less depth and dynamic range, but at least they aren't putting your teeth on edge waiting for the next pop. My favourite band of all time is Pink Floyd, and silence plays an important part on pretty much every one of their albums. I'm not expecting perfect silence of a 50 year old record, but it would be nice if it didn't sound like my speakers were eating a bowl of Rice Krispies constantly.

For context, yes, most of my records are older pressings from the 70s and 80s, but I also have contemporary albums and recent reissues of older records that I still get pops and crackles on.

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MrGee789
I'm so at a loss here, now. I've spent a fair amount of money on equipment for cleaning my records. I spent over £250 on my first ultrasonic cleaner, which went kaput (my own fault), and about £200 on my second. I've also recently spent £300 on a Pro-Ject vacuum machine. Most of my records have been ultrasounded and then vacuumed and, to boot, treated with a zerostat gun that cost me nearly £70. I'm finding it hard to believe that every single one of my records has some groove damage, so what gives? Why am I still hearing quite a lot of static pops and crackles? What do I need to do to get good-sounding records? I'm just so fed up now, I feel like selling my whole collection and getting CDs instead. Yeah, I know that CDs typically have much less depth and dynamic range, but at least they aren't putting your teeth on edge waiting for the next pop. My favourite band of all time is Pink Floyd, and silence plays an important part on pretty much every one of their albums. I'm not expecting perfect silence of a 50 year old record, but it would be nice if it didn't sound like my speakers were eating a bowl of Rice Krispies constantly.

For context, yes, most of my records are older pressings from the 70s and 80s, but I also have contemporary albums and recent reissues of older records that I still get pops and crackles on.

Do you hear pops and crackles with brand new records in mint condition? If so, could there be an issue with your turntable or amp?

mr_ex
Do you hear pops and crackles with brand new records in mint condition? If so, could there be an issue with your turntable or amp?

Word - based on what you're saying here... the issue doesn't seem like it's your records. How old is the cart on your turntable?

janderson69
Distilled water a little white vinegar and two drops of Finnish dishwasher rinse liquid. Removed white spots on record. This solution has turned the worst albums into VG + albums. I do this in the spin happy and still add the cleaning solution that came with the spin happy. I am impressed as it works better than just the spin happy solution alone.

I make my own cleaning solution so am always happy to read other people's recipes.

Genuine question: is there any point going to the extent of distilled water, to then add vinegar? I believe ultrasonic cleaning manufacturers recommend distilled water as it's the safest bet as tap-water is massively variable across their markets. I've seen one record reseller on youtube claim he uses tap water in his ultrasonics as he has soft water out of his tap.

Vinegar. I wonder ing this as it is very acidic. Have you experienced long term issues? I know from used clothing business that vinegar is used to relax shrunken knitwear when the shrinkage is due to a build up of soap, i.e. vinegar is good at removing soap.

I have both a spin cleaner (Knosti Disco Anti-Stat) and vacuum (Pro-Ject basic home use model). When I drain the bath of the Knosti, you see how much crap has come off what previously looked to just have a bit of dust on it. I use this to wash the records before giving them a vac. on the Pro-ject. The Pro-ject evaporates off the fluids, but the solids can only build up in the tank. That's why I want to remove as much debris as possible before the vac. process.

CoolyMcDuck
mr_exDo you hear pops and crackles with brand new records in mint condition? If so, could there be an issue with your turntable or amp?

Word - based on what you're saying here... the issue doesn't seem like it's your records. How old is the cart on your turntable?

I have recently replaced the cartridge with an AT-VM95SH; problem persists. I specifically invested in a shibata stylus in the hopes of bying what might be slight groove damage towards the top of the grooves.

I've even now gone so far as to buy an air purifier to try to remove as much dust and such as possible from the air, running it pretty much 24/7.

MrGee789
I have recently replaced the cartridge with an AT-VM95SH; problem persists. I specifically invested in a shibata stylus in the hopes of bying what might be slight groove damage towards the top of the grooves.

I've even now gone so far as to buy an air purifier to try to remove as much dust and such as possible from the air, running it pretty much 24/7.

You shouldn't need to go to such extremes with the air purifier (unless you're indeed in an exceedingly dusty environment), especially if you've cleaned your records appropriately.

Have you tried working up the chain? How are your connections to the cart? Are you experiencing these issues with other media? Have you tried a different phono stage or amp? Are your connections free of oxidation? In other words... troubleshooting until you isolate the problem (which maybe you've already done!).

I enjoy a good bit of fiddling around with stuff as much as the next person, but depending on your turntable and your level of expertise, you might be better served just taking your turntable into a trusted local hifi shop.

MrGee789
I'm so at a loss here, now. I've spent a fair amount of money on equipment for cleaning my records.

Hi Paul, might you know someone with a turntable who could play them to see if they are getting the same crackle / pop?

Everyone got some record with crackle problems that after every kind of treatment/cleaning doesn't sound quiet at all. Don't be obsessive cause it is only a hobby and it must be a pleasure for you. Just play random albums and have fun if one of them is a lil bit noisy... Stop focusing on problems if you got a good collection. My 2 cents

AlePitus
Everyone got some record with crackle problems that after every kind of treatment/cleaning doesn't sound quiet at all.

https://discogs.programascracks.com/group/thread/817226?message_id=8250655#8250655

wd40 on records? Uhm not a good strategy imho...