Vacuumed vinyl sounds better--or why LP lovers need record-cleaning machines

Sucks the deep down dirt from your LPs' grooves!

(Credit: Nitty Gritty)

Compared to iPods LPs are a lot of work. First you have to put the record on a turntable platter, cue the tonearm over the lead-in groove, and then gently lower the "needle" into said groove. When the record's over, you have to raise the arm and return it to the rest. If that sounds like hard labor stick with your iPod. But to audiophiles the turntable/record playing ritual is part of the analog experience, a preamble of good sounds to come.

Thing is--the stylus tracing the microscopic world of groove wiggles encounters more than just wiggles--whatever dirt and assorted crud that's adhered to the vinyl adds its own noise, clicks and pops to the music. Sure, when things are really bad you could gently wash the LPs with baby shampoo, rinse with lots of water and dry. That might help, but the deep down grime at the bottom of the groove will still be there, and still audible. The ground-in crud can dramatically increase what we perceive as "record surface noise." Record brushes can sweep some of the surface dirt off, but at the end of the day the only way to get the deep down stuff is to use special record cleaning fluid and suck it off with a vacuum. that's exactly the way record cleaning machines work--they squeeze more analog juice from used and even new records.

Nitty Gritty, based in California, has been making vinyl vacuum machines since 1981. Marc Phillips' review of the Nitty Gritty Model 1.5 in Tone magazine is available as a PDF here. Phillips provides an in-depth examination of the ins and outs how these machines work. To offset the price of the machine groups of vinyl-philes sometimes chip in and buy a Nitty Gritty together and take turns using it. And yes, I've used Nitty Gritty machines and can testify to their effectiveness.

After you've checked out the Nitty Gritty review, look over the rest of Tone. It's a beautifully laid out 'zine, chock full of cool audiophilia.

[alegr]

How about wet playback? Is anybody still making such tables?

Anyway, why not just let them digitize those LP to 96kHz/24 and not bother with mechanics?

[tboyblu]

Wet playback reduces some of the vibrations and harmonics and was quickly discarded as a way of improving sound. A dry environment with some humidity (to reduce static) is best. Yes, much more work than digital. I've digitized many of my albums to 192kHz/24, not that the super high sampling is really going to be heard, but just in case ;^)

[osynnek]

I have a record cleaning machine and it's great. I pick up a lot of garage sale finds and a good cleaning brings the music back to its prestine new condition.

Personally, I think the start-up cost is a bit on the high side as the technology isn't all that high. With a bit of work, one can build his own. But the Nitty Gritty machines are quite good quality and I guess they don't sell enough of them to be able to bring the price down.
So a reasonable investment.

[epitone]

Wow, can't believe I was dumb enough to think that you might be able to get through a post about an LP cleaner without insulting iPod users. But there I go.

[make_or_break]

That's because so many iPoders ARE worthy of ridicule. :)

[cyberDJ-2038765336053745013836]

Not all iPod deserve to be insulted.

Just the ones who wouldn't read this column and therefore not understand what sound quality is.

[Vic_Trola]

I have the VPI record cleaning machine that I have been using for some 12 years now. It still works great and is a big part of my vinly ritual.

[NewbSlapper]

Epitone, are you serious? That isn't an ipod insult at all. You are certainly being overly sensitive. I hope your ipod short circuits your lack of a sense of humor.