Clearaudio Smart Matrix Professional Record Cleaning Machine Reviews

Just driblet past whatever cyberspace forum and you can brand enemies instantly past bringing up the subject of record cleaning. Like every other aspect of the HiFi hobby/obsession, you tin do this on a few different levels, and your budget can determine the results. I've seen plenty of DIY ways to make clean records (with most of them ending in tears, or at least ruined records), but cypher that works consistently or convincingly.

After years of screwing around with this myself, hither'southward a method that works. You lot don't necessarily need two record cleaning machines, just I admit I'm obsessed and it actually makes the task move more quickly. If you don't employ two machines, at least endeavor and apply a machine like the VPI 16.5 or Clearaudio Smart Matrix that allows you to swap cleaning wands, and then that you aren't cleaning overly muddied records with the aforementioned surface that touches your brand new (or nearly new) records.

Here'southward an extra footstep that will make the record cleaning machine's task easier. Start with a carbon fiber brush like the Audioquest 1 shown here and become around your tape in a circular motion, almost like sweeping the grit upwards on the flooring to the middle of the record.

Meet that gigantic pile of dirt? Grab a handy can of compressed air and blow that right off the record. This will make it that much easier for your RCM to go right at the tough dirt and it cuts downwardly on the grime that sticks to the cleaning pads.

Getting downward to business organization

For now, we're going to assume you are cleaning a record that is somewhere betwixt brand new and moderately dingy. My favorite all effectually cleaner for records in this state is the MoFi Enzyme cleaner. The directions specify leaving this on your record for 60 seconds, only if you accept a adequately muddy (and possibly fingerprinted) tape, apply a heavy dose of fluid and permit it soak for 5 minutes. Otherwise, if only moderately muddy, get with 60 seconds. Once done soaking, requite your record cleaner a spin and vacuum upwards the grime. The reason I prefer the Clearaudio Smart Matrix RCM is its ability to clean in ii directions, which is very helpful if you lot have a moderately to very dirty record. So, if you have an extremely dirty record or are merely paranoid, use the cleaner 1 more time and spin the record the other way, vacuuming as you go.

Yous're almost domicile, but don't let your excitement get the best of you. Fifty-fifty the all-time RCM'southward leave a bit of cleaner remainder on the tape's surface, which will eventually require a re-clean and will accumulate on your stylus. That's not good in either case, so nosotros're going to have this i step further and employ MoFi's Pure Record Rinse, and vacuum our record one more time.

Dwelling house Stretch/Bonus Round

Once you've washed all of this, have that compressed air and make ane more pass, to make certain that record is completely dry out before our next step. For most of you, this volition be the indicate that you either put that super clean record in a fresh sleeve or take information technology for a spin to marvel at your cleaning prowess. But if you lot're really a maniac, gently place that record on the Furutech DeMag and zap it for 45 seconds. Again, nosotros can argue about this until the cows come dwelling house, but the bottom line is this gadget that looks similar a prop from the outset season of Lost In Space really works. It volition take that last flake of grain and harshness from the presentation.

Now put the record on your turntable, relax and relish. If you've followed the steps carefully and the record has no surface damage, you should be enjoying analog playback that rivals a CD in quietness. No more of that "vintage sound, consisting of clicks and pops" that the mainstream press likes to go on and on near whenever they talk near the vinyl resurgence. This is the analog magic at it's best.

While there are a number of different cleaning solutions, cleaners and brushes, I guarantee this process will work. And while I'grand a fanatic, I'one thousand lazy. I utilize this combination because I tin can get it all from one place (Music Direct) and they always accept it in stock. Feel gratuitous to experiment equally you become comfortable, there are a few more variations on the theme, just only if y'all are fifty-fifty more than fanatical than I am.

And by the way, is that turntable level? Only checking!

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Source: https://www.tonepublications.com/review/record-cleaning-for-fanatics/

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