[TheChairGuy]

I really didn't want another step in my cleaning process - I so want to simplify this mess that is vinyl.  But the dang format begs for attention...and the cleaner I've gotten my records over time, the more I've enjoyed them 

So, I slog on by opening each one, running  a carbon fibre brush on them to get the serious gunky dust and dirt off, then give them a good washing with a Nitty Gritty Cleaner and the excellent Kleer-Disc stuff from LAT International (cleaning and enzymatic formula to remove mold).  After all this, I use LAST Record Preservative to keep them pristine for, virtually, forever.

I also use LAST's Stylast - so I'm a fan of what they do (I only wish each formula were cheaper).

So, it was with much anticipation, and trepidation, that I bought the LAST Power Cleaner for the first time 60 or so days ago. ANd, I can say fairly conclusively that it's a great, great product along with the other cleaning steps I got thru.

I have now cleaned about 15 records with it...and I have either gotten 15 of the most pristine, clean, used records in my entire collection by absolute accident...or something in this Power Cleaner has dug down and gotten grunge that no other method has been able to previously.  I gather that it's the second option, not the first 

The clicks & pops, I estimate, have been reduced by another 20% over the previous regimen.  It's to a point now where it's almost not noticeable...and that is with a very underdamped Grado that is miserable in showing up 'noise' in the grooves as it is not somewhat overdamped like nearly all other cartridges (All MC's, for instance have to be overdamped...except perhaps the new Rega Alpheta).

A fantastic product and heartily recommended - LAST Power Cleaner 

I am listening to Pavarotti now and it is glorious.

[lcrim]

A few weekends back, listens2tubes paid me a visit and brought some LP's to play that he knew well.  I was very impressed by the almost total lack of surface noise on his records.  Sooo, to shorten this story I've started a new and annoying cleaning process that when I heard the difference it wasn't just less surface noise but more musical details and microdynamics are knocking me out.
Anyways here's the steps.  I have a KAB EV-1  vacuum record cleaning machine.  One application of Kevin's enzyme cleaner followed by vacuuming.  One application of the MoFi Super Deep Cleaning solution followed by vacuuming.  Two separate rinses followed by vacuum cleaning with the water for irons you can buy in the grocery store.
If the grooves have damage then its impossible to fix but the inner detail I'm getting now is simply astounding.
BTW-ordered a Herbie's 3MM mat for the Technics to see if there's any gains.

After I spent all that time to clean the things, I'll be damned if I'm gonna spray any crap on those records.

[Toka]

Let us know how you like the Herbie's mat, lcrim! And good info on the cleaning method. 

[BobM]

I've got a related question, based on your statements about pops and clicks. I clean my records with the Disc Doctor product, and have been very happy with the low level of surface noise. But I recently upgraded my phono stage and I hear more now than before.

Now I've never damped my arm (Moerch DP6 w/ a Dynavector 20XH) because I was under the impression that it would take away the life and livliness of the music. At least that's what I was told. Would a little bit of silicon reduce the level of audible pops and clicks? What about the life of the music?

Thanks,
Bob

[TheChairGuy]

Yup - the musical details and microdynamics are now knocking me out, too.  I really thought my records were as clean as they were ever gonna' get...the Power Cleaner is knocking me out with good stuff now 

I didn't even know that Kevin had an enzyme cleaner...good to know 

Great on the Herbies mat, Larry _ i have no idea if its the best out there, but it handily bettered my heavy JVC mat turned up or down on the circled bottom side.  It's just a very cost effective interface for $60 for your records to lean on.

[TheChairGuy]

Bob,

If you have fluid damping option on that Moerch, why not try it? The cost is minimal and the results could be staggering.

For me, it was.

My prior JVC DD was my test mule to see if getting back into vinyl was worthwhile...and for that matter, was DD worth my efforts, as well.  It had the cheapest of downmarket arms on it...so I fashioned a DIY damper with a semi-circle trough made of aluminum foil and a snip of a paper clip hung under the arm by tacky. gummy QuakeHold.

It was a revelation of tall order on either MM or MC cartridge.  It got much, much quieter and began tracking like a much better arm.  It told me, conclusively, that no matter where my travels go in vinyl in the future, a damped tonearm is a must for maximal pleasure.

Here is it in all it's gory glory  (RIP mid-2006 or so)

[Wayner]

AAAGGGHHH! Picture.....too....bright....hurt eyes.................!!!!!

[TheChairGuy]

Wow - I'm listening to Michael Urbaniak's Childrens Melodies, Jazz Tunes and Others now...and the level or resolution is unreal to-die-for.  It's now has vanishing levels of surface/groove noise akin to digital (no quite of course, but along that way) with resolution I'm used to hearing only with DVD-A (that is to say, truly excellent).

Yet the analog 'fullness' and sheer musicality, that is the exclusive domain of vinyl in my (oft-overwrought ) opinion is there in spades. 

The Power Cleaner has really taken the old vinyl technology to yet another leap beyond even DVD-A.  Vladislav Sendecki's piano on this record is mind boggling.  It's an Island label disc...usually pieces of crap on playback....I can't wait to listen to a few other better recording in my collection recently cleaned with it. 

I've been away for the past 8 days on business and pleasure and coming back to this is truly delightful 

Wowee - this is really crazy good now.  Cartridge is the lowly, but benevolent Grado Green with Line stylus and few other mods as detailed elsewhere, run right into my ancient Mitsubishi DA-C20 preamp's MM input and on into my Dukane tube mono's - then thru the overachieving Linaeums.

The chasm between even DVD-A has now widened even further 

[Berndt]

Funny, I just bought the whole regimen from last.
Deep cleaner, regular cleaner, surface treatment, stylus cleaner and stylus treatment.
(135$+ shipping)
I have been cleaning everything before it sees the new grado.
I get clicks on scratches and that is all.
The LAST guys offered to host a norcal event, hmmmm?

[TheChairGuy]

Funny, I just bought the whole regimen from last.
Deep cleaner, regular cleaner, surface treatment, stylus cleaner and stylus treatment.
(135$+ shipping)
I have been cleaning everything before it sees the new grado.
I get clicks on scratches and that is all.
The LAST guys offered to host a norcal event, hmmmm?

Heck, I'd drive out to Livermore to see / hear them....I'd love to ask them more questions about their stuff.  I've used their goods for about 20 years now.  I use the Power Cleaner, Stylast and Record Preservative products now to good (maybe great) effect. 

I'd definitely try to attend a NorCal event hosted by those guys (my usual travels issues, of course, interceding). You wanna' spearhead the effort to get one hosted by them?

If they don't have great vinyl to hear, no one likely does 

[spacedghost]

Icrim

How do you rinse the albums?  Do you spray them with the water, dip them?  Just curious I have a similar setup.

Thanks
Shaun

[lcrim]

Small squeeze bottle, spread it around with a separate, water only applicator (small squeegy like brush).  Vacuum after each application.  Trying to get all chemical buildup off the record.
I've got a loupe to look at the stylus and have been noticing that there is an accumulation of very fine, short fibers since this extra cleaning.  I don't even have a theory to explain that.

[spacedghost]

Icrim

Thank you for the reply.  I just received my EV-1 hoping that it would be then one stop shop for cleaning.  Well I have learned that I need to do more, so I will give your method a try.

Shaun

[TheChairGuy]

I've tried to add some sanity to the routine over time by sometimes eliminating the (loud and tiresome) Record Cleaning Machine from the ritual....but have found no manual cleaning method compares to it remotely.

I see fella's occasionally sparring over the various makers machine's cleaning prowess...I'd gather there's a lot less difference in cleaning effectiveness between any one of them versus the cleaning effectiveness of any manual cleaning regimen and any maker's RCM.

The lady that owns/runs Nitty Gritty refreshingly told me all of the models they offer clean the same....you're only buying greater levels of automation as you climb the line. So, I own the cheapest Nitty Gritty, too, (the EV-1 from KAB is even cheaper and works all the same) tho I have thought of upgrading to something less 'hand' intensive.

Without deep RCM cleaning, I absolutely wouldn't find vinyl to be a slam-dunk, more enjoyable format than CD, I'm pretty sure. It's that important to what I hear, at least 

[TheChairGuy]

So far I've listened to about 10 albums treated with the LAST Power Cleaner this week....and every one of them is among the most enjoyable sonically that I have.

So, this is either an amazing coincidence....or this Power Cleaner stuff is absolutely fantastic! I'm sold - it's now a permanent part of my Z%^#VV*&X&% ritual.  The little details in strings, piano, horns, guitars and the nuances that bespeaks as to the recording place is revealed like never before. Treble (hi-hats, cymbols, flute, piano) is brilliantly rendered now.

This is just great stuff