dreamover Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I just made a long post/writeup about these two machines and lost it. I've never tried either as I have access to a VPI, but I thought these could be useful for some people here who know most of the cheap cleaning solutions out there are crap and VPI's are really expensive. Has anyone tried either of these? Record Doctor V ($199 @ Amazon) - Seems like a budget version of a VPI. It seems what it lacks in construction and features, it sure makes up for in affordability. Most reviews I've found make the case that it's definitely worth the price. Gem Dandy Hydraulic Record Cleaner ($169 + shipping @ Sleeve City) I came across this one randomly. It looks very DIY and sits in your sink and uses your tap water to power wash records. I assume the quality of the clean would depend on the quality of your water. I would also be reluctant to use this without a vacuum dry. Though, most reviews I've read swear up and down that this type of solution is more effective than $1000+ cleaning machines. You can be the judge whether this review is legit or BS: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/gem/dandy.html I'd love to hear if anyone here owns either of these and can give an unbiased review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shinji Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I'm an idiot, so I tried to make my own VPI type thing, but I ruined a record for the most part, so once I decided that it was worth the the money to have good, clean records, I bought the Record Doctor V. Well worth it, though it is very labor intensive (though not nearly as much as a Spin Clean which I also had) and you can only do about 5-6 records at a time because it gets really hot. But it works, and it works very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shinji Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Though you definitely want a new brush to apply the liquid because the one that comes with it is laughable. I use the MoFi brush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesecrets0308 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I've never tried either of those. But, I've been using this KAB EV-1 model for a few years and it's excellent. I recommend this to anyone. https://www.kabusa.com/ev1.htm $169 plus shipping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefwahoo Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 While I don't own the Record Doctor V, I do own the KAB EV-1, which appears to be the identical concept without a motor. https://www.kabusa.com/ev1.htm It works perfectly and I love it. I had records that looked NM and played unbelievably noisy that played NM after a cleaning. I did a lot of research before I settled on the KAB and I'm extremely happy with it. I'm not some hardcore audiophile that needs to use some kind of perfect, magical cleaning solution for sonic perfection. I just need the dirt up and out of the grooves. And I wouldn't want to be tied to a built in motor or have a paperweight when the motor inevitably dies. I'm pretty sure I can find free vacuum cleaners for life to hook up to my KAB. Sorry if this is a pointless opinion to you, but outside of the built in motor, these appear to be identical concepts and I strongly recommend this particular method provided that built in motor is worth a damn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smwalsh6 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I've had the Record Doctor V for 3 or 4 months now and it has worked great for me. I haven't tried to clean a record that was completely trashed as I tend not to buy records like that. But I do have more used than new vinyl, and I haven't run into a record this couldn't help yet. It's definitely a little time consuming being totally manual, but I actually have come to enjoy the ritual of running through some dirty records while listening to music. All the records I clean go into MOFI inner sleeves, sound clean, and stay static free from then on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesecrets0308 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 While I don't own the Record Doctor V, I do own the KAB EV-1, which appears to be the identical concept without a motor. https://www.kabusa.com/ev1.htm It works perfectly and I love it. I had records that looked NM and played unbelievably noisy that played NM after a cleaning. I did a lot of research before I settled on the KAB and I'm extremely happy with it. I'm not some hardcore audiophile that needs to use some kind of perfect, magical cleaning solution for sonic perfection. I just need the dirt up and out of the grooves. And I wouldn't want to be tied to a built in motor or have a paperweight when the motor inevitably dies. I'm pretty sure I can find free vacuum cleaners for life to hook up to my KAB. Sorry if this is a pointless opinion to you, but outside of the built in motor, these appear to be identical concepts and I strongly recommend this particular method provided that built in motor is worth a damn. Seconded RE the EV-1 not having a built-in motor. I thought along the same lines where i'd much rather depend on a common household vacuum to do that work vs. a proprietary motor that will likely die and need to be replaced at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 DO NOT USE TAP WATER ON RECORDS batnoises, agaetisbyrjun, JumpingBean and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesecrets0308 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 DO NOT USE TAP WATER ON RECORDS Nobody trusts the water supply anymore. Can't drink it and can't clean records with it. The system is collapsing. cemeterytapes and dreamover 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smwalsh6 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Yea that Dandy cleaner looks a little goofy. As far as the record doctor getting hot, I've read that elsewhere, but I've run through batches of 15-20 records and mine's been fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamover Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 DO NOT USE TAP WATER ON RECORDS we have great water out here, but i would never use that thing without some sort of filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circuit bored records Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I have a record doctor V and second that it is great but the brush that comes with it is garbage. With a better brush it is a great option to affordably clean records... As for that other thing I would personally opt to not bring my records anywhere near a sink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafinch Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I just got a Record Doctor V over the weekend and I'm very happy with it. At the time I also ordered a mofi brush based on what I'd read about the one that comes with it. Cleaned 6 records last night. It's very easy to use and does a great job. Wish I had bought one earlier.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossdj26 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 so the record doctor V is a no brainer? I've heard some stories of people ruining records and it made me hesitant. I'm completely fine with dropping $200 if it's actually going to clean my records and I don't need to do anything too special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafinch Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 You'd have to really try to ruin a record with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cemeterytapes Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Nobody trusts the water supply anymore. Can't drink it and can't clean records with it. The system is collapsing. I lost it at work. That's gold. I also just got a RDV but I'm waiting to get the MOFI cleaner in the mail before I can test it out. Does anyone have the upgraded bearing on the RDV and think it's worth getting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisWithanF Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Do you guys DIY on the solution, or have a certain brand that your prefer? I've been wanting to buy something, but still not sure what route I want to go. Right now just using my dads classic discwasher and some shitty fluid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesecrets0308 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Do you guys DIY on the solution, or have a certain brand that your prefer? I've been wanting to buy something, but still not sure what route I want to go. Right now just using my dads classic discwasher and some shitty fluid. I make my own solution. 2 parts distilled water, 1 part isopropyl alcohol, with a drop or 2 of dish soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesecrets0308 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I lost it at work. That's gold. I also just got a RDV but I'm waiting to get the MOFI cleaner in the mail before I can test it out. Does anyone have the upgraded bearing on the RDV and think it's worth getting? When you run out of the cleaner solution you bought, just reuse the bottle and make your own, it's super easy and will save you money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesecrets0308 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 so the record doctor V is a no brainer? I've heard some stories of people ruining records and it made me hesitant. I'm completely fine with dropping $200 if it's actually going to clean my records and I don't need to do anything too special. yeah, that record doctor looks pretty solid and being similar to my EV-1 i would also say, like Seafinch, that you would have to be trying to ruin a record. That 2nd one, GEM, looks like a little more of a hassle but can't say one way or another if it works as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I make my own solution. 2 parts distilled water, 1 part isopropyl alcohol, with a drop or 2 of dish soap. Do you guys DIY on the solution, or have a certain brand that your prefer? I've been wanting to buy something, but still not sure what route I want to go. Right now just using my dads classic discwasher and some shitty fluid. This has been thoroughly discussed. I suggest you use the search function for record cleaning, and read some of my rants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfranciosa Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I can vouch for the Record Doctor. I love it and it is very similar to the KAB but has the built-in vacuum. It's actually more similar in quality to the cheapest Nitty Gritty machines. A steal at $200 I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dethrock Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 This has been thoroughly discussed. I suggest you use the search function for record cleaning, and read some of my rants. I searched awhile ago and most of what I saw was that you make your own in a lab (or at least I think it's you.) I couldn't find anything on what people can use if they don't have access to that kind of stuff. Could you let me know what a decent home made solution is? For the record I use: 4 parts distilled water 1 part 99% isopropyl 1 tsp jet dry 3 drops clear/scent free dish soap then I made a rinse with 4 cups distilled water and 1/2 tsp jet dry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just a normal guy kevin Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Anything that isn't from a lab is wholly unforgivable. anthemforadoomed and agaetisbyrjun 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Anything that isn't from a lab is wholly unforgivable. This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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