I have the following problem while playing some of my vinyl records. The problem is with the records, not with the equipment.

The cleaning solution (read further to find out which one) did make a great improvement to some records, but not to the others. Some of my records are still as noisy as they were before. The noise consists of irregular hiss (especially noticeable with the sound of steel drums and, when singing, with consonants such as "s" and "z") and irregular rustle and crackle (that are sometimes as loud as the music itself). One things that I am sure about is that such intense noise cannot be created by microscopic scratches that every record has.

The records have no visible damage and have been cleaned with the AM Record Cleaner. I evenly applied six (6) buffs on each side (which is the amount recommended by the manufacturer), placed the record on a rotating platter and cleaned it with a cloth provided with the cleaning solution. I did so by toucing the record with two fingers through the cloth. I also use the "Static Off" brush from AM, to remove static from the records. The results are not so significant enough and I wonder why.

To my knowledge, the majority of such noise (even in the oldest records that have been played more than once every day for fifty years) is caused by dirt that firmly sits in the grooves and is very hard to remove, and by static which attracts micro-dust.

My theory is that my cleaning solution is not strong enough and/or my method is not effective enough to dissolve and remove ALL the dirt. Perhaps, this solution is for regular maintenance only. It is imported from Denmark and costs about $10 here in Canada.

Is my theory true?

I've read about those expensive record cleaning machines (such as the famous Nitty-Gritty) that could cost over $500 and wonder if they are really as helpful as they cost? Are there any examples along with detailed scientific explanations of how helpful these machines are?

I can easily approach somebody who has such a machine, ask them to clean one of my records and then see the results. I can even locate a professional record cleaning service, but I just don't know how helpful it is.

All opinions are welcome.

Thank you very much!

Thanks.

As I am going Hi-Fi, I decided to order the same albums (plus many others) on new vinyl, which I will take great care of from the very start. I did plan so earlier and was buying used vinyl just for trying it. New vinyl has always been in my mind and now I am even more serious about it.

You get a long crevice tool with the Shop Vac. Plug the opening at the end with caulk. Cut a narrow slot the length of the flat part of the tool. I used my table saw very precariously; a Dremel might be safer.

Cut 2 narrow strips of the paint pad refill and glue on either side of the slit. Work 3 or 4 drops of the RRL around on the record with a carbon fiber brush. The Audioquest clone from garage-a-records is perfect. You'll have to thoroughly wet the brush and then a few more drops gets the record wet enough. Vacuum 2 or 3 rotations and repeat. let dry 20 minutes.