A/V Solutions Vinyl Wash Record Cleaning fluids.

[PHC1]

For those of you who know and have come in contact with Jeff from A/V Solutions know exactly what kind of a vinyl fan he is and his knowledge and passion for all things vinyl is simply unmatched by anyone else I've met so far. Ok, maybe Michael Fremer is just as passionate but I have never met him in person.

Which brings me to the topic of this post. I was asked by Jeff to try out a 2 step record cleaning solution that Jeff has been working on developing for the past year. I've become quite a clean freak when it comes to listening to vinyl. Not only for the reduced surface noise that washing records brings but because to my ears clean records simply sound better all around, better, blacker backgrounds, more focus and crisper dynamics. Since obtaining the VPI Typhoon machine, dusty, dirty records simply won't do. I got tired of cleaning the stylus extensively every time I used to listen to dusty records that not only sounded noisy because often the brushing alone only pushes the dust particles into the grooves but also get trapped on the stylus.

While it is also very easy to just do the automatic wash/vacuum sequence on the VPI, I also could not find any record cleaning solution that can do it in one step. And I've tried no less than a half dozen of different ones out there. Some simply don't do the job well, others leave a residue that is audible when one compares to the process that I have grown very fond of. The process I currently use is a 3 step from AIVS, with applying each step by dedicated and separate Osage brushes followed by vacuuming. The final pure water rinse is the important step that removes the residue and chemically released dirt and dust out of the grooves to get sucked up by vacuum. This is what makes my records ultra quiet and to have jet black background.

But let's face it, doing a 3 step, while very necessary if you want to extract maximum performance from your analog rig takes precious time away from listening.

Jeff has been working on his own formula for over a year now trying to cut the 3 steps down to 2. In his own version of the 2 step process, he has worked extensively to develop a solution that incorporates enzymes that will deep clean the grooves and release the filth buried in them. The final pure water rinse once again rinses them out to get vacuumed up. From what Jeff told me, the grooves were swabbed and sent off to the lab no less than 2000 times to be examined for left over impurities while the formula itself has been
adjusted over 40 times to come up with an optimal balance of enzymes and plant detergents.

Well, I tried Jeff's samples today on half dozen records, both new, previously cleaned and rather filthy samples that were bought used and not yet cleaned. Don't think that new records do not need to be cleaned! The mold release is not always removed and it is a sticky film that sticks to your stylus and will not come off with a brush at which point the stylus itself needs to be wet cleaned by harsh agents that are not always recommended by many cartridge manufacturers.

After washing and listening I am happy to report that I was really impressed with Jeff's formula. It works and it works great! The step 1 enzymatic formula coats and clings really well to the record, leaving it on for just a few minutes one can see some gunk come up to the surface and some little bubbles forming here and there under the fluid layer. It even has a nice aroma to it, clean kind of smell. Playing the records afterwards, I was just as impressed as I am with the 3 step process I used from AIVS.

Jeff's formula is supposed to be more affordable when comes out saving money on washing records and it does save precious time one can use to listen instead of cleaning.

Well done Jeff. I will be using Jeff's formula when it comes out to the market for sure.

[1KW]

The bubbling part sounds interesting, does it have hydrogen peroxide in it ?

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Originally Posted by 1KW

The bubbling part sounds interesting, does it have hydrogen peroxide in it ?

No hydrogen peroxide

[jdandy]

Jeff.......Pick me, pick me....I know.....Ginger Ale. Did I get it?

[PHC1]

No crazy bubble action, just a few little bubbles here and there. Probably air trapped under the fluid guys.

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I'm just getting the labels finished up in the next few days and hope to have everything ready to go at the end of the week.......

Extensive research, development and testing has been done as Serge mentioned above and I'm happy to say we have a cleaner that competes with anything on the market IMO.

The Vinyl Wash-Pro and Vinyl Rinse-Pro is a two step record cleaning process that takes about 3-5 minutes per side. My goal is to have a cleaning system that's fast, easy to work with, low cost per cleaning, effective at cleaning and most important that it Does Not leave any sonic residual behind.........We Are There

The two-step kit will containe one 32oz bottle of Vinyl Wash-Pro, one 32oz bottle of Vinyl Rinse-Pro and two applicator brushes for $60......

More to follow in the next few days.

Jeff

[JDCheek]

Exciting to hear. I have a one step solution that I have used on very old and dirty albums first with a much stiffer brush than the osage brush. Cleans, but I still end up doing the step 3 rinse anyway. Then I do the same three step that you are doing from audio intelligence, three separate brushes, etc. on new vinyl, as well as older vinyl that is still near mint condition. Serge, unlike you, I am using the VPI 16.5, that usually burns out and quits after two to three albums when doing the 3 step. Having a product that allows me to clean more albums from having fewer steps, but still a great performer would be great! This is particularly interesting and noteworthy since I have bought and cleaned over 150 albums in the past 6 weeks.

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Originally Posted by PHC1

No crazy bubble action, just a few little bubbles here and there. Probably air trapped under the fluid guys.

The bubbles are a good thing as it activates one of the Enzymes to work.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

The bubbles are a good thing as it activates one of the Enzymes to work.

I see.

[JDCheek]

My wife knows scrubbing bubbles, but I don't think we're talking the same thing here!!