Munich 2015

The ViVac RCS2 is a compact, attractive, feature filled and well presented machine. It's similar in concept to machines from Keith Monks (which invented this kind of device) and Loricraft.

In Pristin Vinyl's version, the platter spins at high RPMs, a wand automatically deposits fluid across the record surface and a second wand with vacuum suction goes from inner to outer groove area, drying the record groove by groove.

The thread doesn't clean. It separates the record from the suction tube. At the end of the side the machine automatically 'refreshes' the thread, which is something the Loricraft does not do (not that it's a major inconvenience to do it manually).

As the video demonstrates, the Pristine Vinyl machine is very quiet, works well and is reasonably priced. It also doesn't take up a great deal of table space.

While ultrasonic machines are well in vogue now—and for good reason— there's still a place for this kind of record cleaner and it can be argued that it is superior to the velvet lip type machine because there's always a fresh surface contacting the record and zero chance of re-contaminating the record.

Some people think a pre-clean on a vacuum machine is mandatory before using an ultrasonic type machine because the vat-type machine recycles the same fluid for many plays. They have a point: never put a really dirty record in an ultrasonic type machine. Always pre-clean one way or another. This machine looks like a good "another" but it probably won't come to America for some time.