|
Vinyl Asylum Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ. |
|
|
|
Vinyl Asylum Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ. |
|
Model: Record Doctor II Category: Accessory Suggested Retail Price: $200 Description: Wet Vacuum for Records Manufacturer URL: Audio Advisor Model Picture: View
Review by Gochugogi on August 23, 2001 at 18:54:31
IP Address: 4.3.5.73Add Your Review
for the Record Doctor IIAny smoo knows that a clean record sounds better than a dirty one. For the past 25 years, I faithfully handled my LPs by the edges and used a record brush before play. After play, I immediately returned the LP to the protection of the sleeve. My records looked clean, but many of them exhibited egg-frying sounds and occasional clicks, especially during quiet passages. These sounds are largely due to static electricity and microscopic particles lodged in the grooves: grease, smoke residue, dust, mold, etc. This coating of muck also results in a lost of fidelity: rolled off highs, lackluster mids, etc.
I started wet washing with a record brush and a home brew solution of water, alcohol and a dash of dish soap. After cleaning, I noticed improvements in clarity and a reduction of the noise floor. Alas, there were still sonic blemishes lurking in the grooves. Then I discovered wet vacuuming LPs with the Record Doctor II. Those microscopic particles were sucked away and the glory of analog sound revealed: sparkling highs, glowing mids, kickin' bass, and zippo surface noise.
Features
The Record Doctor II ($200) is a manual record cleaning machine sporting a vacuum motor, microfiber brush and vacuum lips, spindle grip (hand record turner), roller bearing and a six foot power cord. The RDII comes with a 4 oz fluid applicator bottle and illustrated cleaning instructions. The black vinyl covered box is made of particleboard and resembles my junior high science fair project. So, it's not a looker, but at least it matches the flat black particleboard of my Rega Planar 2.
The RDII is made in the USA by Nitty Gritty and distributed by Audio Advisor. It appears to be a stripped down version of the $239 Nitty Gritty Model 1.0. It lacks the wood panels and top storage compartment of the 1.0, but otherwise is the same. Both the Nitty Gritty Model 1.0 and the Record Doctor II lack a motor for automatic record rotation during scrubbing or vacuuming. If you prefer a motor, the Nitty Gritty 1.5 has that feature for an additional $150. However, the jogwheel-style spindle grip and roller bearings make hand rotation of records easy. There's a storage tank for dirty fluids. You'll want to empty the tank regularly as it gets surprisingly funky down there.
Dimensions
The Record Doctor is a petit 12.5" long x 7" wide x 9" tall and weights 12 lbs. It's small enough to stow in a bookshelf or cabinet. The small size and low cost of this unit was the deciding factor over a tempting VPI HW-16.5 recording cleaning machine (it was 15.5 x 14.25 x 9 and cost $450).
Cleaning Records
The recommended procedure begins with the mounting of the record on the RDII spindle. Next, apply cleaning solution to the cleaning brush and/or record. I also like to prime the vacuum lips with a little solution. Hold the brush against the record's surface and rotate the spindle. Now, flip the record over, engage the vacuum motor, and rotate the LP using the spindle grip. The the microfiber vacuum lips gently caress the vinyl and suck off the dirty fluids. Repeat this procedure for the flip side.
Most people will probably vary this procedure depending on the record's condition, value and your personal whims. Some people use an old direct drive turntable to scrub on (they have strong motors, especially the Technics brand). I wash really gross Goodwill specials in the kitchen sink before I scrub and wet vac them on the Record Doctor. Truly beloved recordings get a final rinse with distilled water and a second wet vac.
The LP is supported on a platform the size of the spindle label so there is no contact with the record grooves. This design eliminates the possibility of contaminating one side while the other is being cleaned.
I used Audio Advisor's SuperCleaner II, an alcohol based brew that came with the unit. They claim it degreases, cleans and neutralizes static electricity. Although this solution is rather expensive, it performs as advertised. I'm not sure how the RDII and SuperCleaner II get rid of static electricity, but my cleaned LPs were static free!
Once the record is clean, place it in a new record sleeve. I use Discwasher VRP sleeves, sometimes called rice paper (it's actually antistatic plastic). Returning it to the old sleeve is counterproductive as you will soil it again. Of course, if the old sleeve contains special art work or information you'll want to save it. Just don't put your clean record in that dirty thing!
Finally, this is a wet vacuum and thus is very noisy. I wear ear plugs when washing a bunch of LPs.
Sound Quality
When records in good condition were cleaned, the sound improvement was nothing short of fantastic: little or no noise and increased clarity. Surprisingly, many filthy Goodwill specials took on a new sonic vitality. No, it couldn't remove every bit of sonic scum, but it got rid of most of them. The improvement was especially apparent during pianissimo passages and between tracks where static and clicks are obvious. Moreover, once distorted fortissimo passages in orchestral recordings became clear. Cleaning brings out that which was hidden beneath the muck, but it can't work miracles on worn or scratched recordings.
Amazingly, these sonic improvement were apparent on all my turntables. My el cheapo Kenwood belt drive deck, industrial strength Technics SL-1200 MK2 and junior audiophile Rega 2 all sounded better with clean records.
Warranty
The Record Doctor II has a one year parts and labor warranty but, fortunately, I have not needed to test their customer or warranty repair service.
Final Comments
Given the sonic improvements for relatively little money, I don't know why I waited so long to buy one of these. I have thousands of records and only a couple hundred CDs. CDs are so over priced I rarely buy them. At only 50 cents a whack at Salvation Army or Goodwill, my record collection is growing fast. Plus, LPs often sound more natural than CDs, especially on originally analog recordings. Now, with the Record Doctor II, my records are quiet and musically vivid. I may never be subject to the cheap digital sound of the CD, MD or MP3 again!
I have three complaints. First, the storage tank for dirty fluids is awkward to empty. You must pull out a tiny stopper and shake the entire unit over a sink for drainage. A removable tank or tray would be more elegant. Second, the vac misses a little of the outer edge. An 1/8 inch more of vacuum lips would take care of that problem. However, my main complaint is that the RDII has spoiled my ears. Now I have to wash every darn record in my collection before I can listen to it!
The Record Doctor II is an el cheapo LP cleaning solution, but It works great if you don't mind a little elbow grease. If you want automated cleaning and/or pretty wood panels, Nitty Gritty and VPI make a dozen more models from $239 to over a $1000.
Product Weakness: 1) The waste fluid is awkward to empty
2) The velvet lips of the vac are too small and miss the outer edge of the LPProduct Strengths: A cheap and effective LP cleaning solution
Associated Equipment for this Review: Amplifier: Harman Kardon Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Musical Fidelity XLP-S Sources (CDP/Turntable): SL-1200MK2, Rega 2 Speakers: Kappa 2.1 Cables/Interconnects: Wireworld Music Used (Genre/Selections): classical, jazz & rock Room Size (LxWxH): 20 x 15 x 8 Room Comments/Treatments: rug, curtains, books, LPs Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 month Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Topic - REVIEW: Audio Advisor Record Doctor II Accessory - Gochugogi 18:54:31 08/23/01 (7)
- product longevity---- - hifitommy 14:52:49 08/25/01 (3)
- I cleaned a lot of records - dvb 18:37:05 08/25/01 (0)
- Re: product longevity---- - gialitt 18:06:01 08/25/01 (0)
- my oft-used 12-year-old Record Doctor is still as good as new! (nt) - Jay 16:12:36 08/25/01 (0)
- simple tip(s) - TrevorLad 07:52:46 08/24/01 (0)
- Audio Advisor Record Doctor II - Jay 00:30:45 08/24/01 (0)
- Very well written review! - anson 23:17:25 08/23/01 (0)
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
