CleanerVinyl Pro Released: Clean Up to 12 Vinyl Records in One Go!

A few of my CleanerVinyl customers inquired about a higher throughput version of my original CleanerVinyl design. The original design is very easy to use, but only allows the cleaning of one record at a time (that is why I rebranded it as CleanerVinyl One...;-). Inspired by these comments, I set out to do a redesign, which came together in the last few weeks. The new pro version is a much more massive design. It is built from precision-machined stainless steel and aluminum parts and also uses brass bearings to support the weight of the record stack. It can take on up to 12 records at a time. Check out my redesigned CleanerVinyl website, and the CleanerVinyl Pro video below. Enjoy!

Beogram 4002 (5513): Test Drive with Idris Muhammad (KU-17) After Platter and Tonearm Adjustments

A good day in Beolover's shop! Another Beogram 4002 (5513) looking sharp and performing like new! I finished up the unit by adjusting the sub-chassis and the platter to be freely floating and being flush with the aluminum surface of the deck. There are two videos on my YouTube channel that show how to adjust the platter bearing and the subchassis (in a Beogram 4000, but the process is very similar in the 4002). Once that was done, I adjusted the tone arm lowering limit. There is another video on my youTube channel that shows how to do this adjustment. This is a very important procedure since the control system of the 4002 cannot guard against photosensor failure in the sensor arm. If the sensor fails the arm will be lowered whether there is a record or not, possibly endangering a very expensive cartridge. The correct adjustment of the arm lowering limit can prevent stylus failure if that happens.

This shows the limit properly adjusted that the needle just misses the lower rungs of the platter 'ribs':

The final step was to calibrate the tracking force after upgrading the counter weight mechanism with an M3 nut. This shows the original setup with a circlip. Somebody added some glue to stabilize this normally pretty wiggly set-up:

I usually install a M3 nut and a washer, which allows to lock the mechanism after calibrating the tracking force, but makes it much easier to redo the adjustment should it ever become necessary again:

Once the zero weight is properly adjusted, the tracking force can be calibrated with a scale:

After this it was time to take this Beogram for a spin! I selected a recent acquisition from ebay, Idris Muhammad's absolutely wonderful 'Power of Soul' issue:

After cleaning this 'near mint' record with my recently developed CleanerVinyl record cleaning attachment for an ultrasonic cleaner it sounded like new again. In my opinion this is one of the best KUDU Records releases (KU-17). It is a beautifully arranged (Bob James) lush and melodic record that brings together some of the greatest jazz talent of the 70's. Grover Washington, Jr is in top form and even Randy Brecker sounds sharp and right on point (usually I am not such fan of his output, but here he is just awesome!)! Check out Loran's Dance and Piece of Mind. My only complaint is that these two tracks are not on the same side...;-).

O.k...pretty much done with this Beogram 4002! Polishing the hood is left, and I will need to find that perfect moment where a three-hour polishing workout on my work bench is just what I need...;-).

CleanerVinyl: Beolover's Approach to Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaning

While I am pretty happy about my initial approach to vinyl cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning is the superior technology and it is just perfect for vinyl records! Hence, I always longed for an ultrasonic vinyl cleaner, but the currently available dedicated products are all very expensive and out of my reach. It just does not seem to make sense spending $3-4k on an ultrasonic vinyl cleaning device (unless you own a record store...;-). I'd rather spend the money on my rapidly expanding vinyl collection!

So I set out to design a cost effective but elegant solution that would allow me the use of a standard industrial grade ultrasonic bath. Ultrasonic cleaning technology has become a commodity and ebay is flooded with quality units in the $100-200 range that get the job done. The particular unit I selected has a 180W transducer (similar to what the 'competition' uses in their dedicated ultrasonic vinyl cleaners) and the bath size is just enough to hold a record deep enough to get to the final groove.

So, without further ado...(drum roll!!)...I give you the CleanerVinyl ultrasonic vinyl cleaning system: