Pangea Audio Record Doctor VI Record Cleaning Machine (20th Anniversary)
Complimenting the ongoing upsurge in LP sales, one can find a variety of record cleaning machines in the market place from which to choose, anywhere from a low of $30 to a high of $6000 (CLEARAUDIO - Double Matrix Professional Sonic Record Cleaning Machine, fully automatic). They can look in appearance anything from a toaster to a turntable.
Certainly one of the classics (at $799) with a history going back decades is the VPI Industries HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine, combining both an 18 RPM turntable motor (while you clean with fluid and brush) and a high-powered vacuum (to remove the fluid from the grooves after cleaning)—I currently use one as my reference. Machines of this sort can be heavy and large and there are various other companies that follow this route.
However, by not including a dedicated motor for the turning feature (while keeping the high-powered vacuum feature), but instead offering manual turning of the records, the Pangea Audio Record Doctor has been for two decades an example of a considerably less expensive and lighter alternative to such machines. Having already modified the original model over the years up to a version V, Pangea just released a 20th Anniversary model, Record Doctor VI at $299.95, the subject of this review.
Its dimensions are 12.5” (L) x 7” (D) x 7.5” (H), and it weighs only 4.0 Kg (8.8 lbs). Many thanks to Brooklyn based Adam Sohmer, of Sohmer Associates, LLC, for kindly alerting me of this new upgrade and arranging a review unit.
What’s new compared to the V?
The VI comes in two new finishes: carbon fiber (pictured above) or high-gloss black. The top plate is now machined aluminum making the unit stronger, fluid resistant as well as reducing noise and dissipating heat better. It certainly looks classier than the version V. My review unit had the artistic looking carbon fiber finish which went nicely with my living room decor next to my turntable—non audiophiles (and spouse) asked no questions.
The newly designed “injection-molded” turner (knob) is now wide enough to cover the whole of a record’s center label to avoid getting it wet with cleaning fluid and offers a better grip when turning records. Finally, the cleaning brush is of higher quality and boasts “260,000 ultra-fine nylon bristles”. It is clear that serious thought was put into the design of this upgrade VI, increasing quality on the one hand while making sure on the other hand that the result was as simple to use as the earlier versions always have been.
Note: The already very well regarded Record Doctor V is still sold on their website—at a low price of $199.)
Cleaning records
One of the nice benefits of being a self-professed audiophile with a turntable is people of all sorts think of you when they come across old used records and want to dispose of them. And such records need a good cleaning. I had plenty of old records to clean thus allowing me to get well acquainted with the Record Doctor VI during this review. The final three I used for this review included two 1960s LPs of Frank Sinatra given to me by a friend/colleague from work and one 1970s classical LP (Beethoven symphonies) given to me by a neighbor. The Record Doctor VI worked liked a charm.
As for its use: It came with a quick start guide that was so easy to understand that I was cleaning records within minutes of plugging in the machine. Put a record over the spindle on the (removable) record platter. Put some (supplied) liquid cleaner on the record. Put on the record turner and turn it several revolutions with one hand while holding the brush with your other hand to the record to spread out the fluid and into the grooves. Take off the turner, flip over the record, place the turner back on and flip the vacuum switch on while turning the record 3-4 revolutions. That cleans side 1; now repeat for side 2. Done. I found this device very easy to use and very effective at cleaning. As with all high-end machines of this sort that I know of, the supplied solution has no alcohol in it and other such non-alcohol solutions can be used in lieu of the one supplied (they even mention some such as Audio Intelligent, Nitty Gritty, or VPI). After cleaning 20–25 records, one can remove excess used solution held in the inside tank by pulling out the bottom plug on the unit.
Summary
Without breaking the bank, the new Record Doctor VI is a must buy for those on a budget who take record cleaning seriously. It is small, light, powerful, easy to use and highly effective with looks that can even add to the decor of your living space. Highly recommended.
