Pro-Ject VC-E, Compact record cleaning machine, Silver

Product Information

CA1, CA2, CA3, CA4, CA5, CA6, CA7, CA8, CA9, CA10, CA11, CA12, CA13, CA14, CA15, CA16, CA17, CA18, CA19, CA20, CA21, CA22, CA23, CA24, CA25, CA26, CA27, CA28. The Project VCS comes with a handful of things inside the box, so let’s break it all down. First and foremost, you get a pretty massive record cleaning machine that features 800 watts of power. The VC-E2 is Pro-Ject’s latest compact vacuum-based record cleaner with new & superior features including a magnetic record clamp, pre-mixed cleaning fluid and a new ventilation path. Especially great for a clean-as-you-listen routine, it works fast & thorough providing improvement in sound quality that’s immediately audible. Pre-Mixed Wash it 2 Record Cleaning Fluid (100mL) I’m having an unpleasant issue with mine, and wondering if anyone else is having the same issue or has any thoughts that might help.

Using the VC-E is simple, but good technique is essential to maximize the VC-E’s cleaning potential. The machine comes with a small bottle of concentrated cleaning fluid, along with a larger bottle for the mixed-with-water cleaning solution, as well as a cleaning brush. One useful item that is missing from the VC-E accessory kit is a small applicator bottle to apply the solution to your records. I had a spare spray bottle around that I used for that purpose.A screw-on clamp, lined with a rubber pad, protects the record label from cleaning fluid and avoids damage to the label. The robust metal arm is easy to use, mechanically stable and focuses all suction power directly onto the record surface. 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.

I use a Cleanervinyl Pro XL mounted on a UC3360 ultrasonic cleaner. This setup will allow you to thoroughly yet gently clean up to 16 (7”to 12”) vinyl records simultaneously, with rotation speed and temperature control from room temperature to 80°C. Also, you can automate the time spent on each of 3 frequencies: 40kHz, 80kHz and 120kHz. When the cycle is complete it has decent sized fans to dry off your clean, static-free records. Size was not an issue for me. I have a nice space set up in my renovated Garage where I have cabinets that store all of my record cleaning supplies, my Spin Clean and my VC-S2 ALU. I have a large clean bamboo wood counter top that I put the VC-S2 ALU on to do all of my cleaning. The most I’ve cleaned in one session is about 24 albums and the reservoir is barely full of any fluid. Once you’re happy with the fit, start spinning the record and apply a generous amount of ready-mixed cleaning fluid to the record surface. (Pro-Ject recommend 6 – 8ml, which should be just enough to cover the record surface). You can use the goat hair brush to gently apply the fluid, in much the same way as you use a carbon-fiber record brush.The new VC-E2 is our new compact record cleaning machine with completely new, superior features. Vinyl records need a specific maintenance. The dry brush cleaning before playing the record is good to roughly remove dust. To effectively clean the grooves, you need to wet clean the record.

The new VC-S3 is our new premium record cleaning machine with completely new superior features. Vinyl records need a specific maintenance. The dry brush cleaning before playing the record is good to roughly remove dust. To effectively clean the grooves you need to wet clean the record. To achieve the perfect cleaning we also need a suitable cleaning fluid. Alcoholic cleaning fluids can destroy musical micro information of the grooves. That‘s the reason why we designed our new eco-friendly non-alcoholic cleaning fluid called „Wash it 2“. Our new Wash it 2 is a pre-mixed liquid, so you don‘t have to dilute the concentrate yourself anymore. This avoids acidentally using unsuitable tap water for mixing. With Wash it 2 we can optimize the cleaning performance again. The VC-S3 is very powerful and cleans records completely in one to two revolutions.This is the basic model. More expensive units feature more powerful and quieter motors, improved chassis types and so on. Based on the system created by Percy Wilson, the then Technical Editor of Gramaphone magazine, in 1964, this is arguably the best RCM in the world. Using a quiet, medical-quality, motor the Loricraft’s metal arm uses a renewable cotton-like material to act as a spacer between the record surface and arm which means that the arm never touches the record. The upshot is no static electricity build-up or dirt recontamination. A superb design. An acrylic clamp seals the record label from cleaning fluid to avoid damage to the label. The metal arm is easy to use, mechanically stable and focuses all suction power directly onto the surface of the record. Our eco-friendly and alcohol-free vinyl cleaning concentrate ‘Wash it’ offers excellent cleaning results and staves off static, reducing record & stylus wear. Pair the cleaning liquid with distilled water for the best results. I’ve championed the Pro-Ject VC-S as being the best value for money vacuum record cleaning machine on the market since the introduction of the original model. The second generation brought some welcome improvements with only a slight price hike. In typical Pro-Ject fashion, the VC-S has always been a well made, well featured and keenly priced machine. And with the launch of the next VC models, of which there are now two, the bar is raised to new heights. Features A highly effective alternative to vacuum-based cleaners is an ultrasonic record cleaner. These devices aggravate a bath of distilled water using ultra-high frequency sound to produce lots of tiny cavitation bubbles, which go to work gently cleaning deep in the grooves.

I still heartily recommend the Pro-Ject VCS line of machines. But I’d strongly advise to do careful research about cleaning fluids instead of using the supplied Pro-Ject Wash It fluid. The Steve Hoffman forum has many members who know vinyl cleaning way better than me, and has been a terrific resource (as has AudioAppraisal.com – and I’m grateful to both!) As you might expect, there are low cost RCMs and there are more expensive models. Below, I’ve tried to present a broad overview to cover most budgets. I then decided to test a Motown record that was owned by a family member when they were a child. It wasn’t taken care of very well, but certainly was playable. RCMs are best for cleaning your records but, remember, they are not miracle workers. If you clean a record from a charity shop, for example, a RCM will not magically fix groove damage, scratches or dents. Also, there may be grime baked onto the grooves after years of residence which nothing short of a hammer and chisel would shift. When buying a RCM, always retain a measure of realism about its capabilities. That said, even for a disaster area of a charity shop find, you are still going to improve the sound quality immeasurably with a RCM. Microfiber towels are the standard go-to material for cleaning records by hand. They’re a popular choice as they’re soft and very absorbent.With my original model, I would always have to pull the unit away from the wall when cleaning records to allow room for the record to sit on the platter. Cleaning a Very Dirty Used Record with the VC-E2 AB31, AB32, AB33, AB34, AB35, AB36, AB37, AB38, AB41, AB42, AB43, AB44, AB45, AB46, AB47, AB48, AB49, AB50, AB51, AB52, AB53, AB54, AB55, AB56 And, to better help you decide, please take a look at the interactive guide below, which allows you to directly compare the Project VCS to the Okki Nokki, as well as other notable record cleaning machines. Photo Our Installation Service only includes connecting to existing points and fixings. This does not include installing or moving plumbing, connection points or electrics. Installing new points or moving existing points is the customer’s responsibility we can recommend local tradesmen however this will be at the customer’s expense and we not accept any liability for their work. The magnetic clamp works well and does speed up the process as advertised while protecting the label just as well as the screw-down clamp.