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

Product Information

The only downside that I can see is that you need to tip the whole machine on its side to empty out the reservoir; it is a heavy machine and this will not be an easy exercise when the time comes. However, I guess this highlights how robustly built the thing is. A newly designed aluminium clamp holds the record securely in place during cleaning, and protects the label from any fluid or damage. The metal vacuum arm is easy to use, focusing the suction power directly onto the surface of the records. Quite honestly I now feel that I’d rather save up for longer and aim for the Loricraft (or one of the Keith Monks machines that operate on the vortex/bobbin principle too).

If you demand the best sound from your hi-fi, and want to protect your precious investment in your record collection, the VC-E is an essential tool for delivering on both fronts.The larger VC-S2 ALU just about pip its baby brother to the post as the most refined design, but then again, the size is still an issue for many home users. On the VCS, you place the record you want cleaned onto a platter that’s no bigger than the size of your record label. Then, you clamp the record onto the base by using the supplied clamp. Lastly, I will say that although you should always clean your records —be they brand new or used—I feel that if you buy a lot of records from yard sales or estate sales (or even just used from the record shop), throwing them onto the cleaning machine to get them nice and fresh (as opposed to having to put in a lot of elbow grease to hand wash them) is really nice. The Project VC-S2 ALU features an aluminium top surface, to withstand even excessive fluid spills without compromising the chassis. The record cleaner has a powerful cleaning action, and is able to clean your vinyl in just one or two rotations, with one forward and one reverse rotation achieving the best results.

Then there’s the topic of efficiency. To be brief—does a record cleaning machine really do a better job than cleaning records by hand? Is it worth the time and money to invest in one? So while the exhaust positioning of the VC-E might be a deal-breaker for some, I couldn’t replicate the issue under what I might conclude as normal everyday use.

Great for 45rpm Singles & 78rpm Shellac Records

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. 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 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-E2 is very powerful and cleans records completely in one to two revolutions. When I acquired the Project VCS, my initial hope would be that cleaning vinyl records using the machine would be faster than cleaning them by hand. 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. If you love vinyl and you have the cash, the only way to properly clean your records is with a record cleaning machine.

Thankfully, in recent years, there’s been an attempt by many manufacturers to bring the cost down and make ultrasonic record cleaning more accessible. Note – VC-E is best used as an on-the-fly vinyl record cleaner, cleaning a handful of records per day. Due to the compact design, it has a relatively small tank and vents out the top of the machine (beneath the record). If the tank fills to a certain point, the vent may mist a bit. For this reason, Pro-Ject includes a plastic platter that shields your records from the vent. If you are cleaning batches of records, we advise VC-S2, which has a larger tank and vents out the side. The new machine is perhaps a little quieter than the old model but not significantly so. The wood did resonate somewhat, making the vacuum perceptively louder. The aluminium does vibrate, but it can be felt as a physical vibration more than heard. I don’t think the noise level between the two is so significant as to be the deciding factor in justifying the upgrade, but any reduction in noise, however slight, is always welcome. The new casework does have some modding potential in terms of adding sound deadening material, which is something I might explore should I feel the need. Included accessories: Brush, vacuum arm, extra self-adhesive arm strips, plastic clamp, Wash-it bottle, mixed-solution bottle, power cable Many collectors across the vinyl community expressed their confusion as to why the vent is positioned on top in the first place. I can only conclude there must be a design reason for this, as the new vent cover appears to be a solution to this criticism while maintaining the same position of said vent.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

The basic design of the VC-S has otherwise remained the same, with the same robust vacuum arm and a slightly revised valve assembly with a central separator preventing fingers reaching the motor beneath. As I continued to use the unit, I found that some heavily soiled records did benefit from multiple cleans, but this is to be expected with any record cleaning process.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. You’ll also need to drain the machine every so often of the built in fluid, and once your vacuum pad strips get worn down, you’ll need to remove them and add new ones. Any extended warranties offered by Peter Tyson are free. We do not include any form of insurance terms such as accidental damage or loan equipment cover.