Cleaning vinyl records..................

treitz3
treitz3 Posts: 19,029
edited August 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
I apologize in advance if this topic has been covered before. My searches keep giving me an error.

1. Where do you find a vinyl record cleaner? Recommendations are welcome. [Prefer one that does the job.]
2. Is there any vast improvement with one that costs 2-5 bills -vs- 5 bills and above up to 1K?
3. Where do you get the cleaning solution or is it just distilled water?
4. I have a new Rega P1 entry level player for the re-introduction of vinyl in MY rig in a long time. That said, where can i get a fine dust collector that picks up any dust that accumulates as the record is spinning. FYI, I have H.I's "The clamp" that will not allow me to close the lid while playing.
5. Once the records are clean, is there a company that sells just the sleeves that you put the records in?
6. When I was a kid, I would clean the stylus by wiping my finger under the stylus. I know this isn't how you do it, but........well, how do you do it?

Thank you in advance.
~ 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. ~
Post edited by treitz3 on

Comments

  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited August 2007
    vpi 16.5

    runs and runs like the bunny with the batteries.

    we like them we love them and all that, the nitty gritty are fine as well but you have to scrub the record on an old TT or something such, what is most important is the vacuum, otherwise, you just sort of move the mush around on the record, in this case "sucking" is good, you need that vacuum to get the dirt and grime off the surface.

    You can get all the sleeves you want from Mobile Fidelity--Music Direct--Acoustic Sounds. They all sell fluids or you can make your own.

    Get the Zero Dust to clean you stylus, Its the "reel" deal. You simply lower the stylus on the soft gel and it pulls the gunk off the stylus, lift and you are done.

    Just use a watts preener or simiar such brush to give the record a dust before or after playing if you like.
  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited August 2007
    static is also your enemy........heard some good things about the zerostat gun; ordered one today.
    _________________________________________________
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited August 2007
    Try your dishwasher! :D
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited August 2007
    Try your dishwasher! :D


    Aside from the labels falling off and the heat mode creating a warp even Joe’s clamp couldn’t remove, not a bad idea.:eek:

    I get my sleeves/jacket covers and Nitty Gritty Pure 2 from KAB Electro Acoustics. Great products at reasonable prices. Excellent customer service.

    Mehran of SORAsound at Audiogon has low prices on the zerodust and electronic scales. He is also a mid to high end vinyl guy. You won't find anyone better to deal with.

    Depending on your budget, you can buy a new record cleaner from a dealer, or check Audiogon frequently. Every now and then a used one pops up but they don't last long.
    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 *
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited August 2007
    There isn't much more that I can add here except;

    1. For dry cleaning, I use a Hunt EDA Mk VI anti-static brush.

    2. You absolutely do not want to play records with the dust cover down. Picture your head inside a drum. . . now strike the drum. That is what happenes to your stylus with the turntable playing with the dust cover down.
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited August 2007
    Excerp from Joe's post:

    There isn't much more that I can add here except;

    1. For dry cleaning, I use a Hunt EDA Mk VI anti-static brush.

    Joe, how expensive is that?


    I use the $1.99 Chi-nee place right around the corner. Everything nice & clean. I think they do records too!!! :D
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited August 2007
    Cool Joe. I don't like playing records with the top on anyway, because as a kid, I do remember my fingers either slipping from sweat, oil, or whatever, including human error and having the lid come crashing down. You know what happens next.:eek:

    Thanks you guys for not raining on my ignorance when it comes to vinyl. Being out of the loop for twenty years makes you tend to forget things. I do know that I CAN'T WAIT!!!!:D
    ~ 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. ~
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited August 2007
    Excerp from Joe's post:

    There isn't much more that I can add here except;

    1. For dry cleaning, I use a Hunt EDA Mk VI anti-static brush.

    Joe, how expensive is that?


    I use the $1.99 Chi-nee place right around the corner. Everything nice & clean. I think they do records too!!! :D

    Ya big cheapskate, the Hunt brush is only $20.:p
  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited August 2007
    If you're reluctant to spend the money on a new VPI, or are frustrated iont trying to find a used one, you may want to take a look at the vacuum cleaner that KAB Audio makes. It has similar features to the Nitty Gritty machines, but uses your upright vacuum cleaner as the motor. I've had one for 4 months or so, it works well, and at $159 it seems like a good match for my entry level TT set up.

    http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/index.htm
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited August 2007
    Thanks strider
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited August 2007
    Ya big cheapskate, the Hunt brush is only $20.:p

    Where do the vinyl heads shop? and do you buy resealable sleeves?
    Please and thank you
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited August 2007
    I've been buying at musicdirect.com and needledoctor.com, but am a noob and am sure there are better places..
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited August 2007
    engtaz wrote: »
    and do you buy resealable sleeves?
    Please and thank you


    Yes! Sleeve (sp) City.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited August 2007
    engtaz wrote: »
    Where do the vinyl heads shop? and do you buy resealable sleeves?
    Please and thank you

    No resealable sleeves, you want that vinyl to breath or else IT WILL FORM MOLD SPORES! Cardboard is notorious for breeding mold and it is like cancer to vinyl records. The mold becomes part of the grooves.

    http://www.sleevetown.com/

    You can get really great buys on accessories on this site.
  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited August 2007
    How about a link to Hunt brush Which sleeve do you like?
    Thanks again
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited August 2007
    engtaz wrote: »
    How about a link to Hunt brush Which sleeve do you like?
    Thanks again

    Roy you can get the Hunt brush from Audio Advisor, Elusive Disc, Music Direct or Accoustic Sounds. The thing is to try to get it for $20 + ship'g. Audio Advisor puts out their catalog and gives a discount. You just have to snag it at the right time or else you are going to pay $25 + ship'g.

    I prefer the MFSL anti-static, anti-scratch sleeves. They are not cheap but I have piece of mind that after I treat my records and insert them into the MFSL sleeve it is going to remain pristine and unharmed by the elements so it is worth the few cents more for each one.

    The hardware used in this hobby is always replacable . . . the software is what becomes rare and valuable. So don't go on the cheap when maintaining your records and CDs. If there is one thing that I am a stickler about is how scrupulously clean I keep my software.