Nitty Gritty thread

doctorcilantro
doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
edited March 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Who out here in Polkville owns a Nitty Gritty machine; any model?
For Sale 2019:
Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
Decware EL34 amp
Allnic H-1201 phono
Zu Union Cubes
iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

Post edited by doctorcilantro on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    edited August 2010
    I have a 1.5FI.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited August 2010
    I also have a 1.5FI.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited August 2010
    I have the original Nitty Gritty, solid oak base. Loud enough to need ear plugs, still cleans.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    edited August 2010
    2.5Fi here
    [
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited August 2010
    I have a Mini-Pro and I'd like to put it down in the garage so I can use it at night (smallish apt. and little ones sleeping) but I think the unit will not keep will in the +100 temps. Guess I'll have to test out the laundry room, or just carry it down and clean 3-4 records.

    I know they mention the capstans will last longer in the fridge.....
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited August 2010
    They certainly are noisy buggers but I've probably cleaned close to a thousand records with mine. I just wish parts were more accessable in Canada. I need a spindle kit and new capstan (rubber record turning part) and I go through the cleaning pad thingy's fairly quickly since I wash every record thorouly. I have yet to find a parts distributer in Western Canada. I've ordered direct from Nitty Gritty and from Audio Advisor but I always take a large hit on shipping. If anyone knows of where I can get parts in British Columbia please let me know. Thanks.

    Kelvin
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited August 2010
    I have no idea which NG I own. It's the dual sided, 25th anniversary edition one with the Jatoba finish and smoked cover. It absolutely works wonders for the LP experience.

    As far as the noise? I haven't really heard a LP cleaner yet that doesn't bug you with the Db level.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited August 2010
    Ah, here you go.

    minipro_006b.jpg

    It looks as if the Jatoba finish isn't available anymore but mine is [mostly] a spittin' image of this, without the cover. The only thing that's missing in this photo is the water tray down at the very bottom of the unit. You can see where you can install it but for some reason, they left it out of the picture.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited August 2010
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Ah, here you go.

    minipro_006b.jpg

    It looks as if the Jatoba finish isn't available anymore but mine is [mostly] a spittin' image of this, without the cover. The only thing that's missing in this photo is the water tray down at the very bottom of the unit. You can see where you can install it but for some reason, they left it out of the picture.

    I have this unit in black. I've decided not to store it in the garage; way too hot in there.

    I was getting a residual line of water after vacuuming but last night I did an LP and let the vac work a bit longer and the line of water was extremely minimal - just a few beads on the bottom side - top was free of any liquid.

    I have some brushes and tested adding a manual scrubbing too while the LP was turning.
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited August 2010
    If you are getting a residual line or lines of water, the felt pads are damaged, crimped, knicked or worn. Short an extremely thin haze that dries within about 3-5 seconds, both sides of the LP should be absolutely bone dry when it is taken off. I usually let it dry for about 20 seconds in the NG after the cleaning cycle is done.

    Have you tried steam cleaning the LP while it is in the NG? If not, I would definitely entertain the idea. I have noticed a very significant reduction of the snap, crackle and pops even when I don't use cleaning solution or distilled water.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited August 2010
    Just got my Nitty Gritty III from Audio Advisor yesterday and had a chance to clean some LPs this morning.

    It's the manual kind, but that's ok.

    I cleaned up some used LPs - starting with the live Rare Earth double LP.

    Before I cleaned it, there was a lot of surface noise - after the clean up - the surface noise went WAY down. The music mix still has some oversaturation distortion, and it isn't the best dynamic live album, but still - BIG improvement in the listening experience.

    So far, this RCM gets my thumbs up.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited August 2010
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    I have a 1.5FI.

    Doc,

    This 1.5 FI that Rich owns was kept by me for 20 years most of that time in a non-climate controlled environment. When Rich opened it I believe there was just some hard water crust and mold build up from lack of use. It held up all those years until I shipped it. UPS or FedEx, I forget which dropped hard and the capstan and motor assembly snaped right off the top.

    They were built to last!

    Rich might be able to fill you in more.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    edited August 2010
    Joe, yes that's the one! The base you had was pressboard with a thin veneer. Like you told me, it had some water damage and it swelled up and stank.

    Despite being shipped in the original foam packing, the top plate was broken. On the early models, the motor/gearbox that spins the LP was just attached to the top plate. After experiencing some breakage during shipping, they added a bracket from that motor/gearbox to the base. Gayle at NG set me up with a new solid Oak base, top plate and the bracket they addded. FedEx paid for the damages. And Gayle was fun to talk to! We long distance flirted.

    I just relubed the gearbox and vacuum motors while apart and it still really sucks!:D
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited September 2010
    Thanks to Joe for all the advice!

    I'm working out my method now, and it will not be as thorough as Joe's for sure but I hope to get something that works well for new records, and old dirty ones. I'm already having good luck with my setup on new records.
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eor
    eor Posts: 28
    edited January 2011
    I started with a Recordmaster 1 manual, but after cleaning 700+ 78's I developed a repetitive motion injury in my wrist.

    Now I have a Model 1.5. A friend has borrowed the Recordmaster for cleaning his collection.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited January 2011
    Cool... now spammers are resurrecting old threads. :cool:

    An old 2.5fi here... little sucker can easily pass the tennis ball - garden hose test...

    The adhesive around the tube diving into the fluid reservoir disintegrated a few years ago, but a couple beads of silicone caulk and it was off to the races again.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marly421
    marly421 Posts: 73
    edited February 2011
    Kenneth Swauger wrote: »
    I have the original Nitty Gritty, solid oak base. Loud enough to need ear plugs, still cleans.

    We have the 2.5Fi-XP. Well its an updated older unit. The Gritty folks(Gayle) are great to work with. Our unit is actually from 1986. We got it from the original owner off eBay. They didn't pack it well, shipped USPS and was damaged (top plate was broken). It needed service so we sent it in and they offered a number of options.

    All good but the rascal is noisy in vacuum mode: as Kenneth mentioned! Note: Got the new larger Cherry-finished Oak Cabinet, very nice with black vinyl cover.

    We simply play more vinyl, now.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Joe Humbert
    Joe Humbert Posts: 189
    edited March 2011
    I have a Nitty Gritty 3.5. Here are a couple of pics.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=56242&stc=1&d=1299960042

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=56243&stc=1&d=1299960042
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter