Thinking about a Loricraft RCM

vinyl_guy · « **on:** 26 Dec 2010, 04:01 am »

This has been on my Christmas wish list

and I'm interested in any experience you have had with the Loricraft. I currently use a VPI 17.

Thanks,

Laura

jazdoc · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Dec 2010, 06:25 am »

Laura,

I consider my Loricraft as a component, no less important than my tonearm, cartridge, etc. If you buy used records, it is absolutely essential. I've had great success with the Audio Intelligent solutions.

Please feel free to PM

orthobiz · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Dec 2010, 03:30 pm »

I have one. Bought it before the price topped 2K but it has the less powerful motor. And mine is unidirectional, I think the new ones spin both ways. I love it. Tracks warped records with ease, especially good on garage sale finds.

The company smartdev used to carry the laser turntable ELP whatever and had their own line of home theater that they discontinued. They had a disclaimer page about how unscrupulous the Japanese manufacturer of the ELP was. Made me uneasy about them a bit. But they're just the importer, right?

I wish the platter would spin slower when spraying the record surface, then come up to speed when doing the actual cleaning. I can't help but flood the surface and watch the fluid spin in all directions. I usually wick around the edge with a tissue and it helps a lot.

I know you have a VPI. I'm not sure you have a compelling reason to switch. The warped record capabilities and the clean piece of thread for each record (rather than using the same brush all the time) would top my list of advantages.

Paul

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 05:10 am »

bump

Any other thoughts or comments. I would like to see one in action. I looked on YouTube but the quality of the video was poor.

Thanks

Laura

TONEPUB · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 07:57 am »

Come on down after CES and try mine! I love it....

Full review in issue 32. I used to use a VPI 16.5 and the Clearaudio Simple Matrix. This gets everything a lot cleaner and is much quieter. No diff in cleaning quality compared to the $7000 Keith Monks we reviewed earlier in the year and the folks at Audio Federation took great care of me with the purchase.

HIghly recommended!

orthobiz · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 09:23 am »

There's my vintage 2004 review of the Loricraft here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=9623.0

Paul

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 05:57 pm »

Quote from: TONEPUB on 4 Jan 2011, 07:57 am

Come on down after CES and try mine! I love it....

Full review in issue 32. I used to use a VPI 16.5 and the Clearaudio Simple Matrix. This gets everything a lot cleaner and is much quieter. No diff in cleaning quality compared to the $7000 Keith Monks we reviewed earlier in the year and the folks at Audio Federation took great care of me with the purchase.

HIghly recommended!

Thanks Jeff. I had forgotten about your review and just printed it out since I have TA saved on my hard drive. I appreciate the offer. I may bite the bullet before I can get to Portland. I'll let you know.

Laura

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 06:10 pm »

Quote from: orthobiz on 4 Jan 2011, 09:23 am

There's my vintage 2004 review of the Loricraft here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=9623.0

Paul

Thanks Paul,

I appreciate you taking the time to post this. Good review and I agree there is a wealth of good info on both the Loricraft and Smart Devices websites.

I will most likely bite the bullet on the Loricraft soon. I have so many records in my collection from the 60's & 70's that I haven't cleaned yet that I believe I can justify the cost. The VPI 17 does a good job and if all I had were brand new records, it would suffice.

Laura

Laura

TONEPUB · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 06:16 pm »

Laura, you won't be sorry! If you feel so inclined, talk to Neli at AudioFederation.

Can't suggest them highly enough.

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Mar 2011, 02:15 am »

It took a little longer than I planned, but today I ordered a Loricraft PRC 4 Basic from Audio Federation in Boulder CO. Neli was wonderful to work with and very knowledgeable.

Quote

PRC4 Basic

As you go up the chain, you have the same design but better and better pumps, which are both quieter and do a better job of cleaning. They also have extra sound absorbing material and suspension material to suppress the pump noise. There are now three models of the PRC-4. The PRC-4 Basic , the standard PRC-4, and the PRC-4 Deluxe.

All the PRC4's have 70% greater suction power compared to PRC3. The search for a pump of this specification at this price took many years . Do not confuse these pumps with the ones used in vacuum cleaner based machines. These are laboratory standard scientific pumps which are quiet and efficient. Set at 28 litres per minute flow for the pump ensuring even very dirty or warped records will be cleaned efficiently.

The Loricraft includes FREE bottle of L'art du Son cleaning fluid.

The PRC-4 Basic is available only in the Black finish shown most often on the PRC-3. It's double headed pump is an improvement in cleaning power and is quieter than the 3.

I appreciate everyone's input.

Laura

TONEPUB · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Mar 2011, 04:17 am »

Awesome! You are really going to enjoy it!

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 May 2011, 05:46 am »

It took a few months, but my Loricraft PRC 4 arrived last week. I set it up Friday night on the counter next to the ktichen sink and started cleaning records. I really, really like it. It is much quieter than my VPI 17 and the suction is stronger. I've been experimenting with fluids, comparing the disc dorctor's miracle record cleaner with Audio Intelligent, with Orthobiz's enzyme cleaner and finally the L'art du Son that came with the Loricraft. They all seem to work well.

BTW, Neli at Audio Federation was great to work with. I stopped in and saw her and Mike when I was in Denver/Boulder a couple of weeks ago. She demonstrated the machine and we listened to what we cleaned on their Brinkmann TT, Audio Note electronics and Coltrane Supreme loudspeakers.

Laura

toocool4 · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 May 2011, 08:09 am »

Hey Laura nice purchase, you have made a very good investment. As you have already noticed it is very quiet. I have had one for years, it does an amazing job especially if you buy used records.

The only thing I think you are missing is a built-in acrylic cover. I bought a cover with mine, as it would be just my luck I will drop something on it and damage the arm of something plus the cover keeps it clean.

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 May 2011, 11:24 am »

If you play vinyl (New or Used) it's a must. Buy it!! I had the VPI 16.5. The Loricraft crushed it in performance. Just cleans better!! Enjoy.

chester_audio · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 May 2011, 11:55 am »

"sigh"

Someday I will join club. Congrats! I know you'll love it.

HA! Love that Carbon Footprint sticker! That needs a t-shirt.

orthobiz · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 May 2011, 12:14 pm »

That's the new Sloan getting clean!

Paul

jazdoc · « **Reply #16 on:** 3 Jun 2011, 05:25 am »

Congratulations! Hopefully there will be thousands of LPs to clean!

orthobiz · « **Reply #17 on:** 3 Jun 2011, 10:44 pm »

Quote from: jazdoc on 3 Jun 2011, 05:25 am

Congratulations! Hopefully there will be thousands of LPs to clean!

Laura? Oh yeah, there'll be thousands to clean!

Paul

TONEPUB · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Jun 2011, 12:48 am »

I've been using it for about six months now and still couldn't be happier....

Neli is the best in terms of customer service!

Douger · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Jun 2011, 02:54 am »

Hi Laura!
You have exquisite taste and intelligence!

You are also inspiring me, but since I am buying Tannoy Canterbury SE's I may not have enough discretionary fundage for a while...

Regards,

Doug