Discussion
I've been rebuilding my LP collection (after the old one got seriously damaged) and I've got a few questions.
I've got quite a few secondhand LPs that need a good clean - what's the best way of cleaning them without causing any damage/residue?
Also, it's been years since I used a turntable and the last one that I had was part of a Pioneer midi system, which had an automatic arm. Do any of the good, new turntables come with an auto arm, or are they all manual? If you can still get one with an auto arm, is there any reason not to?
Are there any really good secondhand (or new) LP shops that you'd recommend in London or Kent?
I've got quite a few secondhand LPs that need a good clean - what's the best way of cleaning them without causing any damage/residue?
Also, it's been years since I used a turntable and the last one that I had was part of a Pioneer midi system, which had an automatic arm. Do any of the good, new turntables come with an auto arm, or are they all manual? If you can still get one with an auto arm, is there any reason not to?
Are there any really good secondhand (or new) LP shops that you'd recommend in London or Kent?
It depends on how much you want to spend. I use a Knosti Disco Antistat which is a pretty crude device, but it does a reasonable job and costs about £50. I have seen a Moth record cleaning machine in use and it is clearly much better, but costs £500.
I've not seen any new automatic turntables, it seems a bit at odds with the normal hifi minimalist, sound first ethos. If you feel you need it, have you thought of buying something older? I believe some of the Dual turntables were at least semi automatic, although I may be mistaken.
Consider record fairs to add to you collection. vip-24.com is a good place to start.
Good luck rebuilding your collection!
I've not seen any new automatic turntables, it seems a bit at odds with the normal hifi minimalist, sound first ethos. If you feel you need it, have you thought of buying something older? I believe some of the Dual turntables were at least semi automatic, although I may be mistaken.
Consider record fairs to add to you collection. vip-24.com is a good place to start.
Good luck rebuilding your collection!
Another vote for the Moth here. Very impressive results on the whole, but you need to be seriously into your vinyl to shell out that kind of money for the kit. Or have thousands of records. 
Clas Olsson were stocking "music centres" (for want of a more modern term!) last time I was in town, I don't know whether those were automatic. They looked like they might've been. Depends what you call a "good" turntable though. A decent one from a proper hifi shop will be manual.
Clas Olsson were stocking "music centres" (for want of a more modern term!) last time I was in town, I don't know whether those were automatic. They looked like they might've been. Depends what you call a "good" turntable though. A decent one from a proper hifi shop will be manual.
There are loads of record cleaning machines out there, but most of the ones that work well are expensive. I have a Moth, but it's noisy, quite slow, and forever needing repairs and fettling.
My local hi fi shop has a Keith Monks machine, and they will clean your records for you for 50p a pop. Maybe that's an avenue worth looking into.
My local hi fi shop has a Keith Monks machine, and they will clean your records for you for 50p a pop. Maybe that's an avenue worth looking into.
Some great info, thanks very much. 
It looks like an RCM will be the way to go because there are going to be lots of records to clean and the house gets dusty. Are there any major differences between the Okki Nokki and the VPI? How does the cleaning with fluid work? The Okki Nokki site says that the machine comes with a brush - is that a carbon fibre brush for manual pre-cleaning (light brushing) before inserting the disc into the machine, rather than a brush fitted to the machine which cleans the disc with fluid once the disc is in the machine?
vip-24.com could really help in the quest for great albums. Fairs will be far more fun than just choosing/acquiring them over the internet.
I'm not wedded to the idea of an auto turntable - the Rega range looks just the ticket.
More questions: do you keep the records in their old paper sleeves or do you go for High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene sleeves? And, do you put then put the album (inc cover) into another protective sleeve? As you can tell, paranoia has slightly crept in, but I want to protect the stuff as much as I reasonably can. Just been reading about the damage that PVC sleeves may do to vinyl! What are the safe storage options?
It looks like an RCM will be the way to go because there are going to be lots of records to clean and the house gets dusty. Are there any major differences between the Okki Nokki and the VPI? How does the cleaning with fluid work? The Okki Nokki site says that the machine comes with a brush - is that a carbon fibre brush for manual pre-cleaning (light brushing) before inserting the disc into the machine, rather than a brush fitted to the machine which cleans the disc with fluid once the disc is in the machine?
vip-24.com could really help in the quest for great albums. Fairs will be far more fun than just choosing/acquiring them over the internet.
I'm not wedded to the idea of an auto turntable - the Rega range looks just the ticket.
More questions: do you keep the records in their old paper sleeves or do you go for High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene sleeves? And, do you put then put the album (inc cover) into another protective sleeve? As you can tell, paranoia has slightly crept in, but I want to protect the stuff as much as I reasonably can. Just been reading about the damage that PVC sleeves may do to vinyl! What are the safe storage options?
Oddly I have come across this on YouTube. Dunno if it works (probably not!) but ...
Would be interesting to try in on an old one just to see what happens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z61k5UAWev8
Would be interesting to try in on an old one just to see what happens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z61k5UAWev8
Morningside said:
Oddly I have come across this on YouTube. Dunno if it works (probably not!) but ...
Would be interesting to try in on an old one just to see what happens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z61k5UAWev8
Looks fun. Similar process involved with this stuff (which has a great name): http://recordrevirginizer.comWould be interesting to try in on an old one just to see what happens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z61k5UAWev8
If just dirty/marked on the surface then a spray of AM Cleaner and a wipe with a lint free cloth is good.
If really dirty then some tepid water in the sink with some Fairy. Work it in with fingers or a soft brush, going in a circle with the grooves and at an angle to keep the label dry. Rinse under the tap at the same angle and pat dry with a lint free cloth. Wait a few minutes to dry fully.
I've sold thousands of records and these were my methods to give customers clean looking and sounding vinyl. No complaints whatsoever.
The wood glue method does work but takes days to do both sides or one record. Not to mention the cost and potential for mess/f
k ups.
If really dirty then some tepid water in the sink with some Fairy. Work it in with fingers or a soft brush, going in a circle with the grooves and at an angle to keep the label dry. Rinse under the tap at the same angle and pat dry with a lint free cloth. Wait a few minutes to dry fully.
I've sold thousands of records and these were my methods to give customers clean looking and sounding vinyl. No complaints whatsoever.
The wood glue method does work but takes days to do both sides or one record. Not to mention the cost and potential for mess/f
k ups.
I have had a VPI for the last 17 years or so. Get one and you'll be very happy. You rarely see them come up for sale because they're keepers; the best 'accessory' I ever bought - well more necessity actually.
I'm in Surrey if you want to try it out....
The VPI brush is like a very stiff carbon brush but won't scratch the disc as the fluid lubricates the surface. You can make your own solutions with purified water & isopropyl alcohol from a chemist. I bought a gallon of the Moth fluid a while back but found it too weak, so just boost it with a bit more alcohol.
I'm in Surrey if you want to try it out....
The VPI brush is like a very stiff carbon brush but won't scratch the disc as the fluid lubricates the surface. You can make your own solutions with purified water & isopropyl alcohol from a chemist. I bought a gallon of the Moth fluid a while back but found it too weak, so just boost it with a bit more alcohol.
swiveleyedgit said:
Dunno where abouts you are in London or Kent but there's a great audio jumble twice a year at the Angel Centre in Tonbridge. Loads of new and used vinyl and tons of old hifi gear. There's a website of sorts with the event dates if you Google it,
I'm about 25 mins from there. I'll check it out robbyd said:
I have had a VPI for the last 17 years or so. Get one and you'll be very happy. You rarely see them come up for sale because they're keepers; the best 'accessory' I ever bought - well more necessity actually.
I'm in Surrey if you want to try it out....
The VPI brush is like a very stiff carbon brush but won't scratch the disc as the fluid lubricates the surface. You can make your own solutions with purified water & isopropyl alcohol from a chemist. I bought a gallon of the Moth fluid a while back but found it too weak, so just boost it with a bit more alcohol.
Thanks Rob, it sounds like a great machine. Is it worth the extra over the Okki? I'm in Surrey if you want to try it out....
The VPI brush is like a very stiff carbon brush but won't scratch the disc as the fluid lubricates the surface. You can make your own solutions with purified water & isopropyl alcohol from a chemist. I bought a gallon of the Moth fluid a while back but found it too weak, so just boost it with a bit more alcohol.
Skrambles said:
Morningside said:
Oddly I have come across this on YouTube. Dunno if it works (probably not!) but ...
Would be interesting to try in on an old one just to see what happens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z61k5UAWev8
Looks fun. Similar process involved with this stuff (which has a great name): http://recordrevirginizer.comWould be interesting to try in on an old one just to see what happens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z61k5UAWev8
The recordrevirginizer is a very pretty colour but £29.95 a bottle does seem a little steep for 500ml of PVA wood glue with a little blue dye in it; considering 500ml of PVA cost about 50p.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiG4gMno1WY
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