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Spin Clean Comparison

nefertem7

nefertem7

Active Member
Hi everyone I have been a vinyl user since my teens and I never given up on it my first cleaning system has been the Discwasher System which I still use every time before spinning vinyl and I have had the spin clean system for a few years now and I love it the only drawback is drying the records which I use a old fashioned rubbermade dish rack for
My question is I was contemplating getting a more expensive cleaning system like a Nitty Gritty or Record Doctor has anyone used both and would I see a different I have about 700 records in my collection thanks Tim
 
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I own a Spin Clean. I was in your position and wanted to upgrade. I went with The Record Doctor machine. Does a decent job. However, if your budget allows a couple hundred more, I would look at the Oki Noki machine. IMHO
 
The Record Doctor gives you much of the same cleaning process as the more expensive machines but rotation is manual. You can go with a basic ultrasonic cleaner for around 400.

I have a spin clean, but I often found the stylus would collect quite a bit crud unless I used a vacuum after the spin. I chose to move on to an ultrasonic, but still prefer to vacuum as opposed to drip dry. A friend has the record doctor and he is very happy with it
 
trinhsman said:
I own a Spin Clean. I was in your position and wanted to upgrade. I went with The Record Doctor machine. Does a decent job. However, if your budget allows a couple hundred more, I would look at the Oki Noki machine. IMHO
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Thanks I will do my research and also think up a good story to explain it to my Brazilian Boss aka wife if I choose to buy
 
nefertem7 said:
Thanks I will do my research and also think up a good story to explain it to my Brazilian Boss aka wife if I choose to buy
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It’s a lot cheaper than the Tekton Double Impacts I recently bought. Luckily my wife doesn’t care much about the hobby and knows I love it. As long as I keep our savings account growing she’s ok with most of what I do. I feel very lucky.
 
I’ve been budget conscience by necessity all my life. If I were to get into record buying now....I probably wouldn’t.

A Spin Clean made far and away the most sense to me years ago and I’ve stuck with it. And I’ve stopped buying their branded fluid as I figured out what’s in it.

For sure there are more sophisticated devices but none have produced results any better than I’ve achieved - at least as far as I can tell. What I have not borne witness to is what an ultrasonic cleaner can do.

Some traditional record cleaning machines may do the job a fractile better than a Spin Clean but at what cost? Certainly more for me than would be feasible and then there’s the bulk and the noise.

If budget and space were not issues, I’d likely have gotten one a long time ago. I am a gadget freak after all and it would have been another thing for me to obsess over.
 
Had a Spin Clean but sold it when we downsized. Always thought it was to much money for what it was. I wanted something similar but wasn't going to pay 80 bucks for the Spin Clean. Bought the Knox Gear for 30 bucks less and I think it's better all the way around. I have no affiliation.

 
I read many positive reviews of the Spin Clean. Bought one on Black Friday for $60 (amazon). Returned it within the week. I didn't see it doing a better job than my typical manual handwashing and it was a PITA. I don't buy records these days other than the occasional thrift store find and my 500 record collection from the old days is in pretty good shape. These days, I preen my records with the Audio Technica 6012 brush. That brush and their fluid has worked as well as handwashing for me and better than the Spin Clean. It actually fixed the records that I felt the Spin Clean screwed up.
 
I recommend a KAB EV-1. The EV-1 is basically a nitty gritty (or a record doctor) in which you supply your own vacuum.

After having a nitty gritty for 25 years, it finally died a month or so ago. In researching the various options, I settled on the EV-1 due to its low cost ($139). In some ways, I like the EV-1 better than my nitty gritty for the following reasons:

1. The EV-1 has a smoother turning platter and the record turner is much easier to handle.
2. After cleaning very dirty records, the vacuum lip can get dirty. To clean this lip on the EV-1, I can just rise the lip off in the sink as the EV-1 is made of plastic. I would never do this with my nitty gritty as the water may get into the electrical parts and the water may not be good for the wood panels
3. In terms of durability, the EV-1 is made of hard plastic so I do not expect it to break. The only other thing that could go wrong is the vacuum stops working in which case I can just replace it (I use a small $30 shop vac).

Bottom line, I highly recommend the EV-1. With the EV-1, you can continue using your spin clean and use the EV-1 to dry the records. In fact, I am considering adding a spin clean as I feel it will speed up my record cleaning process as the spin clean seems to clean both sides of the record at the same time.
 
I like both the Discwasher and Spin Clean a lot, but Santa brought me a Record Doctor for Christmas and it takes cleaning to the next level. I was skeptical, but it works great. I have a number of $1 specials that the Dr. brought back to life. Spin Clean helped, but the Dr. made a significant difference. For the records I've had all my life, the Spin Clean would be fine. But, for those that have been neglected, the Record Doctor makes them playable.
 
pyoung272 said:
I recommend a KAB EV-1. The EV-1 is basically a nitty gritty (or a record doctor) in which you supply your own vacuum.

After having a nitty gritty for 25 years, it finally died a month or so ago. In researching the various options, I settled on the EV-1 due to its low cost ($139). In some ways, I like the EV-1 better than my nitty gritty for the following reasons:

1. The EV-1 has a smoother turning platter and the record turner is much easier to handle.
2. After cleaning very dirty records, the vacuum lip can get dirty. To clean this lip on the EV-1, I can just rise the lip off in the sink as the EV-1 is made of plastic. I would never do this with my nitty gritty as the water may get into the electrical parts and the water may not be good for the wood panels
3. In terms of durability, the EV-1 is made of hard plastic so I do not expect it to break. The only other thing that could go wrong is the vacuum stops working in which case I can just replace it (I use a small $30 shop vac).

Bottom line, I highly recommend the EV-1. With the EV-1, you can continue using your spin clean and use the EV-1 to dry the records. In fact, I am considering adding a spin clean as I feel it will speed up my record cleaning process as the spin clean seems to clean both sides of the record at the same time.
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I use a Spin Clean and an EV-1 for drying. Very pleased with the results over the Spin Clean alone.
 
Use Spinclean to wash. A budget copy, Studebaker to rinse. Scrub on a turntable if needed.
The Studebakers brushes are replaced with interchangable better Spinclean brushes.
 
nefertem7 said:
My question is I was contemplating getting a more expensive cleaning system like a Nitty Gritty or Record Doctor has anyone used both and would I see a different I have about 700 records in my collection thanks Tim
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I own both the original Audio Advisor Record Doctor (bought back in Vinyl dollar bin days) and a Nitty Gritty 1.0 manual turner. They both work really well .. only difference is that the Nitty Gritty 1.0 is a higher quality RCM (build, feel & looks). As far as functionality .. you record cleaning results will be the same.

I apply & spread my cleaning fluid using a lazy susan with old record matt on top of it. Spin lazy susan while applying fluid .. hold brush in place and continue to spin while spreading fluid evenly. Then I transfer to RCM for vac.

My method above will save 50% of the wear & tear on the Record Doctor or Nitty Gritty spindle over the years or even decades.
 
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Condorsat said:
I own both the original Audio Advisor Record Doctor (bought back in Vinyl dollar bin days) and a Nitty Gritty 1.0 manual turner. They both work really well .. only difference is that the Nitty Gritty 1.0 is a higher quality RCM (build, feel & looks). As far as functionality .. you record cleaning results will be the same.

I apply & spread my cleaning fluid using a lazy susan with old record matt on top of it. Spin lazy susan while applying fluid .. hold brush in place and continue to spin while spreading fluid evenly. Then I transfer to RCM for vac.

My method above will save 50% of the wear & tear on the Record Doctor or Nitty Gritty spindle over the years or even decades.
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Thanks for your input Condorsat
 
I had a spin clean, and it worked ok, but cleaning records became a pain. I figured I liked the hobby well enough to just buy a nice record cleaning machine - bought a VPI from music direct a few years ago, and have been very happy with it. Money well spent. If you have the funds, the VPI (and similar brands) are really nice. But yes, you can achieve similar results cheaper if you don't mind it not being as convenient.
 
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If the “not being as convenient” comment is directed towards Spin Cleans, I would claim it’s just the opposite. They certainly take up less space to store and to use and don’t create the noise as would be so with a “de-luxe” RCM.

I have observed RCM’s in operation several times at local shops offering a record cleaning service. Although I have not timed the process, cleaning a disc via RCM took longer than it takes me to clean one in a Spin Clean.

Twice when I’ve visited a particular used record store, the person behind the counter was engaged in cleaning LP’s with a Spin Clean. At the same time he was able to converse with customers and answer the phone. The Spin Clean while in use was placed on the counter top occupying not much space at all.

To date, I have cleaned somewhere between 4000 and 5000 records with a Spin Clean. It sits on a shelf when not in use, takes a couple of minutes to setup and the cleaning process takes less than a minute per record.

I let them air dry so no additional effort what so ever. I pass the intervening time engaged in other tasks such as repairing album jackets, whiling it away watching Netflix or I just go to bed. The clean, dry records can be inserted in their jackets the next day.

I’ve duplicated Spin Clean’s fluid so by now, cost of cleaning is literally next to nothing. Even after cleaning as many records as I have, the original brushes are still serviceable and original rollers in good condition.

I purchased replacement brushes along with the Spin Clean eight or nine years ago and do not anticipate any additional expense.

Record cleaning cannot get more convenient than that in my opinion.
 
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62vauxhall said:
If the “not being as convenient” comment is directed towards Spin Cleans, I would claim it’s just the opposite. They certainly take up less space to store and to use and don’t create the noise as would be so with a “de-luxe” RCM.

I have observed RCM’s in operation several times at local shops offering a record cleaning service. Although I have not timed the process, cleaning a disc via RCM took longer than it takes me to clean one in a Spin Clean.

Twice when I’ve visited a particular used record store, the person behind the counter was engaged in cleaning LP’s with a Spin Clean. At the same time he was able to converse with customers and answer the phone. The Spin Clean while in use was placed on the counter top occupying not much space at all.

To date, I have cleaned somewhere between 4000 and 5000 records with a Spin Clean. It sits on a shelf when not in use, takes a couple of minutes to setup and the cleaning process takes less than a minute per record.

I let them air dry so no additional effort what so ever. I pass the intervening time engaged in other tasks such as repairing album jackets, whiling it away watching Netflix or I just go to bed. The clean, dry records can be inserted in their jackets the next day.

I’ve duplicated Spin Clean’s fluid so by now, cost of cleaning is literally next to nothing. Even after cleaning as many records as I have, the original brushes are still serviceable and original rollers in good condition.

I purchased replacement brushes along with the Spin Clean eight or nine years ago and do not anticipate any additional expense.

Record cleaning cannot get more convenient than that in my opinion.
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There is something to be said for not having to wear earmuffs.
 
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