The robust metal arm is easy to use, mechanically stable and focuses all suction power directly onto the record surface. The motor is turned on spinning the record and then the fluid is spread over the surface with a brush (supplied)

G3 is a stronger cleaning fluid that requires a secondary rinse stage, but it’s worth it when dealing with older, pre-loved records. The new machine is perhaps a little quieter than the old model but not significantly so. The wood did resonate somewhat, making the vacuum perceptively louder. The aluminium does vibrate, but it can be felt as a physical vibration more than heard. I don’t think the noise level between the two is so significant as to be the deciding factor in justifying the upgrade, but any reduction in noise, however slight, is always welcome. The new casework does have some modding potential in terms of adding sound deadening material, which is something I might explore should I feel the need. The machine turns the record fast at one rotation in two seconds per rotation, which the company claims helps the cleaning process.There is no advice on when to replace the self-adhesive arm "lips" or when best to replace them in the booklet Newly developed vinyl cleaning concentrate Wash it offers very good cleaning results and reduces static charge, so record wear as well as stylus wear is signaficantly reduced.

VC-S2 features a robust metal arm which is easy to use, mechanically stable and focuses all suction power directly onto the record surface. The increased size allows for quieter operation and improved handling of the record and cleaning fluid application. VC-S2 ALU effectively combines industrial design with effortless sound from your vinyl records. Filling the 2.5l container I really like Pro-Ject’s Wash-It solution, and I use as part of my cleaning arsenal (particularly as it’s alcohol-free and safe to use on shellac records). But for very dirty used records, I’ve found GrooveWasher’s G3 formula to be highly effective. 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. Contrary to what is sometimes stated, I’ve never found the VC-S to be an especially noisy machine – far quieter in fact than the competition. Being a vacuum it’s never going to be silent, and it’s not as quiet as a Numatic Henry, arguably the most widely recognised consumer vacuum machine. But I’ve always been able to use one quite happily with music playing and without hearing fatigue.Record Doctor’s V is a more entry-level record cleaning machine that’s great if you don’t have a lot of space. As I continued to use the unit, I found that some heavily soiled records did benefit from multiple cleans, but this is to be expected with any record cleaning process. 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.

While Pro-Ject recommends explicitly using their own Wash-It fluid with this machine, I’ve found I can also achieve great results with other third-party cleaning fluids. Big container (2,5 l) for used fluid, that shows fill-up capacity and guarantees no spillage of used cleaning fluid. Discharging of used fluid is extremely easy to do. Whichever cleaning fluid you choose, make sure it’s a fluid you trust that won’t damage your cleaning machine. Avoid using standard household cleaning products or tap water. Conclusion – Which machine is best? The VC-S2 ALU takes record cleaning to new levels. There are features which are new for record cleaning machines in this pricerange: Just like the bigger VC-S2, the VC-E ships basically ready to go. There’s a detachable vacuum arm, two pairs of self-adhesive felt pads, a metal record clamp, a 100ml bottle of Pro-Ject’s “Wash it” record cleaning solution, the solution mixing container, and a goat hair brush for fluid application.They’re an investment, but record cleaning machines are worth it if you plan on keeping your record collection pristine. What Are The Best Record Cleaning Machines? Also featuring an aluminium chassis top with similar cleaning prowess claims in a couple of platter rotations, it arrives with a larger chassis, aluminium clamp and tank at 2.5 litres.