[Occhionero]

I still wonder, why some records (absolutely new) have more or less noise and cracks?

Even tho' I bought my first vinyl in in the late 70's I am technically an ignorant.

What are the reasons for that phenomenon? Is it the needle or cartridge, the static, vinyl color, full moon, ....?

Your experiences please.

[philball1974]

Are you cleaning the new vinyl? I'm always amazed how much shit comes out of the grooves of that first clean. I can't say I have many records that make a lot of noise.

[Occhionero]

The only thing I do is using an anti-static brush. Maybe that is not enough?!

[philball1974]

No its not enough!!

If you can't afford an expensive cleaner I would at least use something like the peerless-AV record cleaning fluid and brush to to clean out the groves.

Obviously there are specialist record cleaning machines but most are pretty pricey! fluid and brush + anti static should be a minimum cleaning regime, and always clean even new records.

After that just give them a quick clean before play and they should sound a lot quieter.

[Dollarhyde]

I wouldn't use the cloth and fluid combo. It will take some dirt off and make the record look shiny but it will also push dirt deeper imto the grooves. Not good

[philball1974]

I use the fluid with a brush so it forces the dirt out and the fluid helps to remove it from the service. I've found if you use a brush alone you end up with a visible line of dirt on the record that is impossible to pick up.

I use the super Exstatic and spray the velvety middle. this has worked for even the dirtiest VG+ conditioned discog purchases and I only have a handful that i know need some kind of deep clean or are damaged.

[Dollarhyde]

I would have thought the spray would make it harder to get the dirt out as it would become wet and sludgy.

I have been using a dry brush (not the greatest brush), not very successful. Have the line of dust issue you mentioned.

On occasion with cheap and dirty carboot finds, fluid, very light rub with cloth then the brush. Not very satisfactory really.

May purchase one of those velvet cleaners and see how that works.

[philball1974]

No it doesn't get wet and sludgy because the bit in the middle is wet (well damp) and you angle the brush so just the bristles are making contact. Then after a few spins you can see all the dirt collected on the bristles. Then flatten the brush out so the velvety bit makes contact and all that dirt sticks to it.

No mess, no fuss, job done.

Of course if you have the space and can afford it then you could always buy one of those fancy pants units and do it properly.

[Dollarhyde]

hmmm, maybe I need a better brush.

[Occhionero]

@Phil: could you upload a picture of this. My english is not the best and I am more the visual guy

[philball1974]

If you google super Exstatic brush you'll see.

[Occhionero]

Purchased, thx!

[hncreature]

Great brush! I push the brush to the middle rather than out after a couple of rotations...seems to do a better job

You'd be surprised that many records...usually the newer ones...still have noise after a VPI cleaning...mostly pops - Maybe I'm not using enough juice...though it does get a nice coating and a scrub - Older Lps tend to clean up much nicer after a machine clean - Picked up a 1st press KISS S/T and after a cleaning it is SO quiet and clean!

[Whip Wilson]

Sometimes, sadly, it is the pressing itself. Often from a sub par or unclean stamper. Sometimes it is handled poorly during pressing and scuffed or fingerprinted. That is one reason why many audiophiles can tell you what pressing plants are superior to others (not that any one is perfect or, conversely, all bad). Folks in here are correct; the only way to know for certain is to give those puppies a good, deep clean.

[ninjaqutie]

I tend to use a dry brush most of the time, but I have found going towards the label to be most successful. I ended up leaving a line of dirt or dust whenever I tried to go out towards the edge and that just left me frustrated all the time. I am planning on investing in a spin cleaner in the near future.

[hncreature]

NQ - Try pushing the brush to the middle...does somewhat of a better job - For those just brushing only may I suggest GROOVE GLIDE - Sometimes in a pinch when I really want to listen to something...usually a new Lp not an older one that needs a good cleaning...I'll brush it then Groove Glide it and it does a decent job especially with the static - Good call on the Spin Clean...I have an audiophile friend...I think of him that way...and he Mark IV brushes / Spin Cleans / Groove Glides and is very happy with the outcome