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REVIEW: Loricraft PRC-3 Accessory

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Model: PRC-3
Category: Accessory
Suggested Retail Price: $2570
Description: Record Cleaning Machine
Manufacturer URL: Loricraft
Model Picture: View

Review by Auricle on August 07, 2008 at 14:32:46
IP Address: 66.65.7.185
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for the PRC-3


Having been long familiar with the Keith Monks machine which operates much like the Loricraft, I decided to buy the Loricraft. It was far less money and, unfortunately, Keith had passed away leaving a bit of doubt about his machine.

It does what it says it does and how it says it does. But there are things to note.
1. It was designed for the Alcohol based cleaners of yore. If you are using an enzyme cleaner (Walker) or Europe's l'Air du Son, you must give it a snort of alcohol before putting it to bed to keep the pipes unobstructed. If you use those cleaners, the disk must soak for at least 5 minutes. Properly done one LP takes about 15 minutes with those cleaners, not 1 minute per side. Are the results worth it? Yes! Those two cleaners are extraordinarily good. My cleaner is next to my computers and I can do other things as the LP soaks.

2. With more standard cleaners the results are less certain. Some of the records on eBay were so poorly cared for (especially rock and pop) that dirt has set up in the bottom of the grooves like concrete. Having set up, it doesn't add that much noise and you cannot tell how bad things really are! The Loricraft suction is so great that it will loosen that crud if the LP is cleaned with a lesser cleaner for a shorter time and the result can be pops you never heard before. In that case, several cleanings will be required.

3. Occasionally the thread can get balled up and clog the suction pipe. It can be fixed but it is a royal PITA.

4. Though it is far quieter than VPI type designs, it isn't exactly silent. Cleaning n another room is a good idea.

All of that said, it works beautifully and better than any VPI style machine I have ever used or owned. Even so, it demands more time and attention per side than those machines do.

I am working through my entire collection, starting with my prized LPs and continuing on. Naturally, I use new high quality inner sleeves when I am finished. The final benefit is if one uses the enzyme based cleaners with a decent soak time, the LPs really do not need to be wet cleaned for quite a while unless the turntable is in the wood shed.


Product Weakness: Expensive, takes time
Product Strengths: Works great, reduces the need for further cleaning


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Varies
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Varies
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Custom turntable
Speakers: EV 15 TRX in Karlson cabinets
Cables/Interconnects: Custom
Music Used (Genre/Selections): All
Room Size (LxWxH): 19.5 x 14 x 9.5
Room Comments/Treatments: Formal Louis XV salon
Time Period/Length of Audition: 5 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Medica instrument grade isolation transformer
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Loricraft PRC-3 Accessory - Auricle 14:32:46 08/7/08 ( 10)