With my original model, I would always have to pull the unit away from the wall when cleaning records to allow room for the record to sit on the platter. Cleaning a Very Dirty Used Record with the VC-E2 For the past few months, the motor noise has been MUCH louder, and sounds like a jet engine when revving up. I am not someone who is generally unhappy with the vacuum motor noise of this type of machine. I had an original Pro-Ject VC-S, and the noise level never bothered me; the noise level of the VC-S2 as Ashley noted in her excellent review is a little lower than that of the original VC-S, and that was my experience – until a few months ago. Either way, I’m happy with this modification as a solution, and would love to see a modification kit released for the original VC-E (hint hint, Pro-Ject…) If you love vinyl and you have the cash, the only way to properly clean your records is with a record cleaning machine. Start the motor and carefully apply just enough cleaning fluid to cover the record surface, but not so much that you risk breaching the label clamp and saturating the label.

After a bit of practice to refine your technique, the VC-E cleaning machine is capable of transforming your average semi-clean record into a shiny thing of beauty. I’ve found during many years of cleaning records, that whether one manufacturer’s cleaning machine can produce a better final result than another depends more on the user’s technique than the machine itself. Practicing and perfecting your brushwork can make a huge difference in the level of clean you can obtain.Manufacturers such as Cleaner Vinyl and ZHANGLI make adaptor products that allow you to clean vinyl inside a standard 6-liter ultrasonic tank for a few hundred dollars. I’ve championed the Pro-Ject VC-S as being the best value for money vacuum record cleaning machine on the market since the introduction of the original model. The second generation brought some welcome improvements with only a slight price hike. In typical Pro-Ject fashion, the VC-S has always been a well made, well featured and keenly priced machine. And with the launch of the next VC models, of which there are now two, the bar is raised to new heights. Features So you may be aware that there’s two difference versions (as of this publication) of the Project VCS: the MKI and the MK II. PH15, PH16, PH17, PH18, PH19, PH20, PH21, PH22, PH23, PH24, PH25, PH26, PH27, PH28, PH29, PH30, PH31, PH32, PH33, PH34, PH35, PH36, PH37, PH38, PH39, PH40, PH41, PH42, PH43, PH44, PH45, PH46, PH47, PH48, PH49, PH50

After all, no self-respecting record collector actively seeks out records in bad shape. Nobody wants to make their life deliberately more difficult, so we instinctively shop for used records that are in the best shape possible. A newly designed aluminium clamp holds the record securely in place during cleaning, and protects the label from any fluid or damage. The metal vacuum arm is easy to use, focusing the suction power directly onto the surface of the records. Even though I technically used the MKI in this review, since the only major difference between the two is the transition from metal to nylon for the base and vacuum brush, I wanted to compare both of the most recent versions of these cleaners against one another. When using a record cleaner to clean vinyl by hand, you need a highly absorbent material to help take away the contaminated cleaning fluid. Large Appliances - (Washing Machines, Dishwashers, Fridge Freezers etc). Free Local Delivery Service (Cumbria, SW Scotland and NE England*) 2-3 working days.But two groups of people should take note. First, people who have or may acquire someday an ultrasonic machine. You will need to thoroughly rinse any records that were previously cleaned using the Pro-Ject fluid before cleaning them in your new ultrasonic machine. Second, people who are concerned as a matter of general principle about any product that leaves an unintended, invisible residue on their records. The Project VCS wasn’t able to make this particular record sound significantly better, however. I likely blame this on its very used condition—scratches and scuffs being the main culprit. Even the best record cleaning machine can’t fix something like that. One thing I really like is how the VCS handled the fluid that collects inside the machine. If you don’t know, you’re going to have to pour out and discard some of the dirty fluid that collects inside the machine.

Now, this is probably more of an OCD problem than a TRUE problem. No one’s records are now unplayable because the clean side got a bit of cross dust and dirt contamination thanks to laying on a slightly uncleaned Okki Nokki platter for five minutes. The VC-S2 ALU benefits from a large tank that rarely needs emptying unless you’re cleaning an absurd amount of vinyl. In commercial situations, though, you could be cleaning hundreds of records in one sitting, and that’s where a larger tank comes into its own.

VC-E & VC-S2 Setup Notes

On the VCS, you place the record you want cleaned onto a platter that’s no bigger than the size of your record label. Then, you clamp the record onto the base by using the supplied clamp. The aluminum top plate prevents fluid damage to the chassis so that the machine offers years of reliable record care. You’ll never need another cleaner kit again. The Pro-Ject VC-E supplies the basic tool necessary to clean records efficiently and easily. For any LP lover who wants to hear every bit of potential sonic goodness from his LPs, the VC-E would be an excellent way to boost your record collection up to a cleaner state of being. Specs & Pricing The MK II couldn’t save all of our records because it can’t fix scratches, but it did a good job of reducing the amount of surface noise and pops from our records. Your experience will vary based on the general condition of your records, but expect some level of sound quality improvement on all of them. Again, if a record has physical scratches, especially deep ones that run across it from edge to edge, the Okki Nokki will not be able to fix that damage.

Waste fluid collects in a jar attached to the side of the machine which you can easily detach and take to the sink. With the Pro-Ject you have to take the whole machine to the sink to empty its tank. You’ll also need to drain the machine every so often of the built in fluid, and once your vacuum pad strips get worn down, you’ll need to remove them and add new ones. So while the exhaust positioning of the VC-E might be a deal-breaker for some, I couldn’t replicate the issue under what I might conclude as normal everyday use.

Features

To achieve the perfect cleaning, we also need a suitable cleaning fluid. Alcoholic cleaning fluids can destroy musical micro information of the grooves. That‘s the reason we designed our new eco-friendly non-alcoholic cleaning fluid called „Wash it 2“. Our new Wash it 2 is a pre-mixed liquid, so you don‘t have to dilute the concentrate yourself anymore. This avoids acidentally using unsuitable tap water for mixing. With Wash it 2 we can optimize the cleaning performance again. The VC-E2 is very powerful and cleans records completely in one to two revolutions. The VC-S3 is made for advanced users with bigger record collections, and more time required for proper record cleaning. The VC-E2 is designed to be easier to accommodate for smaller spaces and for those with smaller collections. The VC-E2 is further improved upon its predecessor thanks to its new improved vacuum steam outlet, redirecting all exhaust fumes away from the lower record surface. Both models are fully designed and made in Europe to the highest technical standard.