Vinyl. Without doubt (in my mind at least!) one of the best ways you can listen to music. In a time where you can stream pretty much any tune instantly, the ability to actually sit down and really appreciate music in as close as possible a format to how the sound would be if it were live is not to be underestimated. Unfortunately, it’s also the most fragile way to store music and it’s easy for the quality to get ruined with a simple stray fingerprint or just the static generated by vinyl records collecting too much dust. You try to clean it but this can inevitably lead to damage and scratches on your precious discs and the dreaded ‘jumps’ marring your enjoyment. How frustrating!
This device from Rekkord provides a solution however (as well as way to fix this problem…)! By far and away the best way to clean your records is with specialised fluid (100 ml of this solution is provided in the box). You put your record on the turntable and then place the clamp on top, screwing it in to place so that it covers the label snugly. The clamp has a rubber rim that seals around the label so that no damage occurs to it when the fluid is applied. They recommend that you only need about 3ml per side but no measuring device is provided to help with this. It’s just over half a teaspoonful but I wouldn’t recommend using this as an actual form of measurement, it’s only going to get messy! You need about enough to evenly cover the disc but don’t worry! You don’t need to impossibly pour the liquid on to cover it, they provide a brush to allow you to do this thankfully. Not just any brush either but a goats hair brush which is soft enough to avoid damaging the record and works almost as well as sable (the kind of hair most paint brushes use) at retaining the liquid so ensuring you get it right down in to all the little grooves. Switch it on and let the record move around at a steady pace of 30rpm while you hold the brush horizontally in place. Once done, put the vacuum arm in place and set it going for one rotation one way and another in the opposite direction achieved through a simple flick of a switch. Leave for about a minute or so and then repeat on the other side. That’s it. So simple, even a complete novice like me could do it with ease and even with an odd sense of satisfaction and pride but I guess that’s the beauty of vinyl talking! The end result is a much smoother sound and a temporary cessation of static build up. Obviously regular cleaning is needed to keep this up but when it’s this easy and satisfying, that’s hardly a chore.
The tank underneath has a rather large 2 litre capacity which is more to add the weight to the unit (and provide a pleasing look to it) than for any practical storage of waste cleaning fluid I feel. This weight (comes in at a bit over 8½ Kg) just ensures you have a steady platform and keeps your disc flat while in use while giving the whole unit a reassuring heft. A final word on the cleaning fluid itself and a word of warning. It’s been designed specifically for purpose and is alcohol free. Alcohol can damage the information in the micro-grooves so always make sure you choose your fluid with care and buy fluid made for this purpose specifically. RRP €699
- Very easy to use with comprehensive instructions
- Replacement adhesive strips for the vacuum arm
- Seal prevents damage to any labels
- Automatic cut-off if the motor overheats
- None that I could see!
