blakey72 Posted March 29, 2024 Posted March 29, 2024 So I'm looking for a RCM under around $750. So far I've looked at the Pro-ject VC-E2, the Goka Record Pro and The Record Doctor. I realize the Doctor is manual turning and I would prefer automatic but I'm still considering it. Are there any others that I should consider? blakey72...
buzz lightyear Posted March 29, 2024 Posted March 29, 2024 I’ve been reading some great reviews on the HumminGuru. https://humminguru.com 1
SonicArt Posted March 29, 2024 Posted March 29, 2024 vevor ultrasonic, and some mods which can be done quite affordably, I do a few mods to the basic setup, switch fitted to the motor case, grub screws to hold the motor assembly firm and level to the tank, and have just finished putting together a 1 micron filter kit that can attach to any vevor USC machine. the whole setup including buying the machine would be around 450 tops. 3
dwbasement Posted March 30, 2024 Posted March 30, 2024 (edited) https://www.grooveaudio.com/products/humminguru-ultrasonic-vinyl-record-cleaner Cheaper to buy in oz. I am actually thinking of getting one. I use diy USC (like @SonicArt mentiined) for bulk wash and store away. I think the hummingguru is prefect as a desk top use when you want to give a clean before listening. Edited March 30, 2024 by dwbasement 3
blakey72 Posted March 31, 2024 Author Posted March 31, 2024 Seems a few people are saying but an UCS and vacuum machine are very good. I was thinking a USC like SonicArt has mentioned and a Record Doctor VI. Then again it's more labour, maybe just the HG for ease of use. I have mainly newer vinyl but also a few oldies of my wife's which she has kept in exceptional condition. Maybe the HG would be enough...
Dolphy Posted March 31, 2024 Posted March 31, 2024 I've had an Okki Nokki for a couple of years. I've seen them sell around the $500 range recently. Easy to use and has made an improvement to the records that have been cleaned. 1
dwbasement Posted March 31, 2024 Posted March 31, 2024 24 minutes ago, blakey72 said: Seems a few people are saying but an UCS and vacuum machine are very good. I was thinking a USC like SonicArt has mentioned and a Record Doctor VI. Then again it's more labour, maybe just the HG for ease of use. I have mainly newer vinyl but also a few oldies of my wife's which she has kept in exceptional condition. Maybe the HG would be enough... Yeah if you don't have a lot of records to clean in general. HG would be prefect.
SonicArt Posted March 31, 2024 Posted March 31, 2024 I have the ucs set up with filter and my old nitty gritty right next to it, I do 3 at a time for 20 min with groove washer fluid, they come off the spindle and straight into the nitty to suck all the fluid off, works pretty well, filter is a must as the water gets quite a bit of crud in it after a dozen records. 1
Wimbo Posted April 2, 2024 Posted April 2, 2024 On 29/03/2024 at 9:11 PM, blakey72 said: So I'm looking for a RCM under around $750. So far I've looked at the Pro-ject VC-E2, the Goka Record Pro and The Record Doctor. I realize the Doctor is manual turning and I would prefer automatic but I'm still considering it. Are there any others that I should consider? blakey72... Bought one of these recently. Fantastic IMV. https://www.decibelhifi.com.au/record-pro-record-cleaning-machine 1
blakey72 Posted April 2, 2024 Author Posted April 2, 2024 1 hour ago, Wimbo said: Bought one of these recently. Fantastic IMV. https://www.decibelhifi.com.au/record-pro-record-cleaning-machine Yeah was tossing up between this and the Project VC-E2. Going to get a UC too I think.
Wimbo Posted April 2, 2024 Posted April 2, 2024 1 minute ago, blakey72 said: Yeah was tossing up between this and the Project VC-E2. Going to get a UC too I think. One record cleaner is enough for me. By the time I finally clean an LP twice, "I'll sing my song and I'll be gone." 1
GregWormald Posted April 3, 2024 Posted April 3, 2024 I'd tried a number (>4) of different regimes and equipment until I bought an ultrasonic cleaner. Even my cleanest records improved markedly. (BTW, this machine only washes—drying is manually using a special nozzle on a shop vacuum.) 1
Hydrology Posted April 10, 2024 Posted April 10, 2024 On 02/04/2024 at 6:44 PM, blakey72 said: Yeah was tossing up between this and the Project VC-E2. Going to get a UC too I think. Sorry a bit late to this (been overseas). Yes - double your budget and you should be able to get yourself a Humminguru US as well as a decent RCM. Both machines and their respective approach to cleaning combined will give you great results. My advice would be to use the RCM for step one, followed by the US. A little video (although 5 years old now) on my approach. Different machines, but the logic is sound. 2
Guest Moon 600i V2 Posted April 10, 2024 Posted April 10, 2024 I have successfully used a 10L US tank (40 khz)from Amazon combined with a Vinyl Stack rotator for four years. I finish up by using a Record Doctor vacuum machine to remove the distilled rinse water. During COVID I cleaned 3800 records by changing the water every 50 LPs because what else was there to do. I don't fret over all the differing methods of additives and stick with Tergitol in distilled water and then a rinse. No muss, no fuss no damage. YMMV. Total cost of tank and Vinyl Stack five years ago was $600.00 CDN. I have had the Record Doctor for twenty years and it cost $199.00 CDN at the time. Distilled water is so cheap that I don't wait until it is cloudy to change it.
Superfuzzbigmuff Posted April 11, 2024 Posted April 11, 2024 Based on my experience with ultrasonic cleaning machines and vacuum machines, my two bobs worth includes Ultrasonic machines are material step up from vacuums in terms of improving SQ That said I now use both - the US, followed by vacuum drying (too stingy to buy a Degritter) I use a Kirimuss US machine - bullet proof and the tank size means the water doesn't get too hot and you don't need large breaks in cleaning for it to cool down There is currently a Kirimuss for sale the classifieds for $1,000, but if you bought that - you still need to dry the records somehow... I personally don't follow the recommended Kirimuss cleaning process - it's a bit weird - I just use other cleaning fluids With the vacuum, I have the Project VC - S3 and it's very robust (used to have an Okki Nokki and it fell to bits) I would suggest getting something with a platter that's only the size of the label - not the whole record (which is the case with the Project - not sure about the GOKA). If you end up with a US machine and dry using the vacuum - you can put the wet side down without then having to dry the platter to vacuum the second side Also the aluminium suction nozzle on the Project is a plus. The Okki Nokki had a plastic one, which over time would swell and get stuck. The GOKA looks like it has a plastic suction nozzle.. The tank size of the vacuum seems to be important. The Project VC - S3 tank size is large and I haven't come close to filling it in a cleaning session (I'll do up to 30 records at a time). With the Okki Nokki, the sensor for the auto shut off blocked and due to the small tank, it would overtop and eventually damaged the internal pumps etc The Project VC - S3 has an external visual indicator showing the internal tank capacity, which is handy. I don't know if the E3 has this? I've also read with the Project VC - E3, due to its smaller size, the exhaust fan can blow some crap onto the underside of the record. I've not owned one - so don't know if this a real issue or not. 1
andyr Posted April 11, 2024 Posted April 11, 2024 On 31/03/2024 at 1:12 PM, SonicArt said: I do 3 at a time for 20 min with groove washer fluid, 20 minutes! How many rotations is that, Mark? On 31/03/2024 at 1:12 PM, SonicArt said: they come off the spindle and straight into the nitty to suck all the fluid off, works pretty well, Yes, indeedy - the NG is needed, as part of the cleaning process. But if you do 3 at a time in the US tank ... surely the 3rd one is almost dry before you get round to drying it with the NG? On 31/03/2024 at 1:12 PM, SonicArt said: filter is a must as the water gets quite a bit of crud in it after a dozen records. Absoloootely! Do you run your filter during a clean ... or after the 3 have been through the process? If so - how long do you filter for, before the next cleaning session?
Jakeyb77_Redux Posted April 11, 2024 Posted April 11, 2024 (edited) Humminguru and a Pro-Ject here. Both are fantastic. If most of your records are already clean and you buy mostly new then just get a Humminguru I put my records in the HG before a play if they need it. It’s set and forget. I’ve had and know a few people that have messed around with DIY ultra sonic machines and they’re a PITA and often breakdown. Edited April 11, 2024 by Jakeyb77_Redux 1
SonicArt Posted April 11, 2024 Posted April 11, 2024 3 hours ago, andyr said: 20 minutes! How many rotations is that? no idea! I run the motor on a 5v plug pack so it turns slow. I have it set up so I can remove one at a time while they are turning, so they don't dry out. I run the filter after cleaning, minute or two and the water looks like I just filled it, I have run it while cleaning too, I use 9vdc to run the pump so it's not shooting water out the return like a fountain, just a good flow, it can be run during cleaning without affecting things. I only do old records for 20 min, new ones 10 usually then see how they sound. I haven't had a lot of time with the US yet to be able to give definitive answers to cleaning time in general.
Candyflip Posted June 23, 2024 Posted June 23, 2024 I've *just* added a HumminGuru in box, to the Classifieds, so if you want one, be quick. 1
andyr Posted June 23, 2024 Posted June 23, 2024 On 11/04/2024 at 9:31 PM, Jakeyb77_Redux said: I’ve had and know a few people that have messed around with DIY ultra sonic machines and they’re a PITA and often breakdown. Actually, I put together my own US cleaning setup about 4 years ago ... and it has worked fine. And hasn't broken down, yet! (Perhaps, bcoz I bought a made-in-the-good-ol-USofA-tank - not a made-in-China-tank?) I have: a wider tank - so I can clean several records at once ... whilst still maintaining the required distance between LPs and the tank sides and 60kHz operation ... gentler on the grooves than the more usual 40kHz.
Guest Moon 600i V2 Posted June 23, 2024 Posted June 23, 2024 6 hours ago, andyr said: Actually, I put together my own US cleaning setup about 4 years ago ... and it has worked fine. And hasn't broken down, yet! (Perhaps, bcoz I bought a made-in-the-good-ol-USofA-tank - not a made-in-China-tank?) I have: a wider tank - so I can clean several records at once ... whilst still maintaining the required distance between LPs and the tank sides and 60kHz operation ... gentler on the grooves than the more usual 40kHz. I took a similar path during COVID. I bought a 10L tank from Amazon with a 40khz exciter as 60khz was not available. I then installed a Vinyl Stack rotator assembly and cleaned 3700 records in three weeks changing the water every 50 records. I cleaned two LPs at once as I was not going to do it again. Total cost, excluding distilled water and FotoFlow, was $650 CDN at time of purchase. Last year I ran one of my records through a Degritter and heard no improvement. That may be more a comment on my senses than the effectiveness of the Degritter.
andyr Posted June 23, 2024 Posted June 23, 2024 7 hours ago, Moon 600i V2 said: I took a similar path during COVID. I bought a 10L tank from Amazon with a 40khz exciter as 60khz was not available. I then installed a Vinyl Stack rotator assembly and cleaned 3700 records in three weeks changing the water every 50 records. I cleaned two LPs at once as I was not going to do it again. Total cost, excluding distilled water and FotoFlow, was $650 CDN at time of purchase. Last year I ran one of my records through a Degritter and heard no improvement. That may be more a comment on my senses than the effectiveness of the Degritter. Excellent! WOW - 3700 records ... that is true dedication! I'm not surprised the Degritter didn't go any better.
scuzzii Posted June 24, 2024 Posted June 24, 2024 On 31/03/2024 at 11:56 AM, Dolphy said: I've had an Okki Nokki for a couple of years. I've seen them sell around the $500 range recently. Easy to use and has made an improvement to the records that have been cleaned. I have had an Okki Nokki for 6 or 7 years. Hasn't missed a beat. (I also use a US machine as part of the whole Spa Service..).
Guest Moon 600i V2 Posted June 24, 2024 Posted June 24, 2024 10 hours ago, andyr said: Excellent! WOW - 3700 records ... that is true dedication! I'm not surprised the Degritter didn't go any better. If I had known how long COVID would last, I would have taken my time instead of holing up in the basement to get it done. Biggest problem was getting distilled water. Apparently CPAP users go through a lot of it so I bought multiples of 8 liter jugs. After all that, I caught COVID at the first Toronto Audio Fest when I took my mask off to eat.
Pablotv Posted October 22, 2024 Posted October 22, 2024 On 11/04/2024 at 4:45 PM, Superfuzzbigmuff said: Based on my experience with ultrasonic cleaning machines and vacuum machines, my two bobs worth includes Ultrasonic machines are material step up from vacuums in terms of improving SQ That said I now use both - the US, followed by vacuum drying (too stingy to buy a Degritter) I use a Kirimuss US machine - bullet proof and the tank size means the water doesn't get too hot and you don't need large breaks in cleaning for it to cool down There is currently a Kirimuss for sale the classifieds for $1,000, but if you bought that - you still need to dry the records somehow... I personally don't follow the recommended Kirimuss cleaning process - it's a bit weird - I just use other cleaning fluids With the vacuum, I have the Project VC - S3 and it's very robust (used to have an Okki Nokki and it fell to bits) I would suggest getting something with a platter that's only the size of the label - not the whole record (which is the case with the Project - not sure about the GOKA). If you end up with a US machine and dry using the vacuum - you can put the wet side down without then having to dry the platter to vacuum the second side Also the aluminium suction nozzle on the Project is a plus. The Okki Nokki had a plastic one, which over time would swell and get stuck. The GOKA looks like it has a plastic suction nozzle.. The tank size of the vacuum seems to be important. The Project VC - S3 tank size is large and I haven't come close to filling it in a cleaning session (I'll do up to 30 records at a time). With the Okki Nokki, the sensor for the auto shut off blocked and due to the small tank, it would overtop and eventually damaged the internal pumps etc The Project VC - S3 has an external visual indicator showing the internal tank capacity, which is handy. I don't know if the E3 has this? I've also read with the Project VC - E3, due to its smaller size, the exhaust fan can blow some crap onto the underside of the record. I've not owned one - so don't know if this a real issue or not. Hi, Wondering if the oki Nok has any parts left I need a plastic lid Regards Paul
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