Pro-Ject VC-E2, compact record cleaning machine with vacuum

I’ve been playing vinyl records for almost 60 years, initially on a Dansette record player and now on a hi-fi system that back then I couildn’t have dreamed of, but only now have I bought a proper record cleaner. Records I purchased way back when have now been given a new lease of life; gone are the crackles, pops and clicks - unless it’s scratched, there’s no way of fixing that. This cleaner is easy to use, just spray on the cleaning liquid, spread it over the disc with the supplied brush and engage the suction, which hoovers up the dirt and grime leaving your old and new records spotless. Drawbacks: if you have a lot of records it will be a significant investment in time cleaning them all; I guess it is expensive, particularly if you only have a small record collection; the suction system is rather noisy when turned on; and the felt pad on the suction arm doesn’t last that long and replacements are relatively expensive, but ultimately the VC-E2 is worth every minute and penny spent.

With a caveat that far more expensive cleaners — of the ultrasound variety — are available, I'm as amazed as I am delighted at what this setup can achieve. In my first week of using it I've revived >30 year old records that were approaching unlistenable due to the sheer amount of background noise from clicks and pops masking the actual music. Suffice to say, I'm ecstatic to hear my music in a way that was far truer to how I heard it decades ago — and how it's meant to sound — than what I'd otherwise have been forced to endure with a dry clean (using a velvet or carbon fibre brush alone). Highly recommended or you own a Chevron large enough to warrant the expenditure. BTW, it's recommended that even new releases should be cleaned before being played (to remove the trusses agent that comes from the pressing process). As I'm going along, I'm replacing old paper sleeves (which leave residue paper dust) with new antistatic poly sleeves. Highly recommended!! Edit: after several months of reliable use, three only small criticism I'd make is that the noise level of the vacuum always makes me plan carefully when I'm going to do a cleaning session. It is certainly louder than my handheld Dyson. Aside from that, the above recommendation still applies.

Bought this to clean all of my older vinyl. Acceted water and mild detergent is OK however inbetween the grooves need to be cleaned as well. Does the job, is compact, takes up only the size of a shoe box so stores easily. Comes with everything you need to give records a good clean. Has reverse spin and comes with cleaning liquid. Records certainly sound better and have cleaned 300 so far. A good investment if you want to ensure your vinyl is kept in best condition to ensure best sound. There is a larger version however this does the job just as well. Tip - I feel there are better cleaning solutions available so worth shopping around but what is supplied (and top ups) are adequate for the job.

I bought this because I wasn't getting the dusty second hand vinyls I am now adding to my collection clean enough with microfibre cloths and sprays etc. The effect was so good that I have used the Pro-Ject VC E-2 to clean my entire collection of several hundred vinyls, weeks of work doing 10 a day when I had time (about one to two hours by the time you've let the records air off and put everything away). You clean the vinyls by wetting them fully then sucking everything - dust and fluid - off the surface to leave a sparkling finish. Any residual fluid evaporates within moments. A particularly clever feature is the magnetic clamp which completely covers the label and stops any cleaning fluid from seeping onto it with complete effectiveness. If you want truly clean vinyls and you have a collection enough to warrant the cost, don't think twice, to borrow from Dylan. The machine is made by the manufacturers of my turntable so excellent quality. Additional items you will want are ear defenders and a rack(s) for airing the records after cleaning. The supplied cleaning fluid will do around 40 vinyls both sides and the soft felt strip stuck to the suction arm will need replacing after about the same period. Reviewers before me have puzzled about the perspex accessory supplied with the machine. It's a former for changing the suction arm adhesive strip: by putting the perspex into the suction groove you can mount the new strip onto the arm accurately around the former.

Not too noisy. Small footprint. Doesn't get everything off the record but a decent job. Don't use any alcohol based fluids as they make vinyl brittle. Decent price compared to others. Easy to use. Recommended

Cleans records well enough but some records stick when the vacuum is turned on But my main issue is the price of the replacement felt stripes, I mean£8 for a tiny piece of felt that has to be replaced after cleaning around 20 lps if I'd have known I don't think I'd have purchased it

Perfect 👍👍👍

When I first started using this it was great… for about 10 records cleaned. Then I noticed it started to leave a white line in the run out area of the vinyl, a mark that was scratched into the vinyl. It would appear that the felt wore out after just 10 uses and the aluminium end of the vacuum arm could touch the record. You could argue that the mark is in a dead area, but if the vinyl has a particularly full track list it could actually ruin the tail end of the last track. After checking online it would appear that I’m not the first person to experience this fault. I returned the unit. A shame.