The Results
Contents
It’s time for the results. Patreon members can download samples (log in first). These samples can be found under the Specifications tab. There is also a folder there with screenshots of the spectra. This is definitely interesting to look at.
All cleaners in view
Okki Nokki One
Let’s start with a Dutch product. And for us the first serious introduction to record scrubbers: the Okki Nokki (550 Euro). It is also sold as the Tonar Wash & Dry.
In the box we find not only the Okki Nokki itself, but also a bottle of concentrated cleaning fluid (dilute with 1L of demineralized water!), a brush, a dust cap, the nozzle and of course the puck to clamp the record. It’s a pretty complete delivery, we must say!
The sucktion nozzle has a little switch that allows you to adjust whether you have a 12-inch, 10-inch or 7-inch record on the cleaner. That’s a nice detail and something the ProJect doesn’t offer. As is a dust cover, by the way. However, it would be helpful if it said what position it was in. We had to guess a bit…. Not a disaster, but maybe something to include with an mk2?
Same goes for the dial that starts rotation and controls which direction the record spins. It would be handy if it said in what position the switch is. These are details, but well: we as reviewers have to give some feedback sometimes, don’t we?
Otherwise, the Okki Nokki is solid and logical. Kind of what we are used to from many Dutch products: solid, no nonsense…functional. We like that.
Cleaning
Now to the most important thing: performance! Cleaning is just fine with the Okki Nokki One. We get neat results. That is audible in the samples and also visible here in the spectrum analyses. Cleaning records with a good cleaner really makes sense. Let that be clear!
We gave the Okki Nokki a treat with a super quiet recording of Berdien Stemberg with Jaap van Zweeden. The dirty record clearly shows pops and ticks. But after cleaning, almost all of that is gone. Neat. We hear the same thing on Games Lovers Play. There, too, the “wood fire” is practically gone.
Haydn is clearly damaged. The tick is slightly less, but we are talking about a scratch here. However, even this one has clearly been cleaned up after a good wash with the Okki Nokki. Leonard Cohen is still a bit “too far gone”. There it remains somewhat gritty sounding. Also after cleaning it with the ProJect and Degritter. Perhaps it’s just in the recording; it could also be.
By the way, what we do notice after cleaning a few records is that the felt on the nozzle gets damp and starts leaving streaks. Drying it in between with a microfiber cloth helps.
Conclusion
Okki Nokki is a popular cleaner. And rightly so. The price is just right at 550 Euro and the results are simply good. As feedback we would like to give: create an indication what positions the switches are in. That would be more pleasant. But keep up the good work!
ProJect VC-S3
ProJect we all know well. This brand makes countless turntables and accessories for the vinyl enthusiast. And so is the ProJect VC-S3 record washer. This “big” version officially costs 699 Euros. The smaller version – the VC-E2 – has a smaller tank and does not have the magnetic puck. This one costs 449 Euros.
ProJect supplies the VC-S3 with a brush, ready-to-use liquid, a removable nozzle and, of course, a puck to hold the record in place. This one is magnetic. Now that seems like a minor modification, however, we find it extremely pleasant to work with!
The nozzle works almost similarly to that of the Okki Nokki. However, it is not adjustable for other sizes. Unfortunately, we were not able to test how the cleaners work with 10- and 7-inch singles.
Cleaning
As with the Okki Nokki, we get neat results with the ProJect VC-S3. We have the feeling that the motor of the ProJect VC-S3 is slightly stronger than that of the Okki Nokki. Now that’s not necessarily better, but hey. We do want to mention it.
Taking a quick look at the tracks, we can see and hear clear differences between the dirty record and the cleaned version. Industrial Disease is a true transformation. The same goes for Mandolino: that record was unlistenable almost. And after cleaning, we hear a fine result. A second cleaning would get it – our estimation – almost prefect. Finally, Concertos Brandebourgois. This one was not dramatically bad, but here too we hear that the whole thing cleaned up considerably. Great result.
However, here too we notice that the felt on the suction arm stays damp after a while, and that leaves streaks. Drying in between helps.
Conclusion
We liked the ProJect very much. It is a fine machine that is solidly built and produces solid results. However, the price difference with the E2 is quite large. The question is whether the larger tank and magnetic puck is enough to win over enthusiasts. On the bottom line, though, it remains a fine machine!
Degritter Mark II
The Degritter Mark II (2900 Euro) is an ultrasonic cleaner. That is, this cleaner works on the basis of sound. Now don’t worry about being treated to sweeps and beeps; the Degritter works with frequencies between 120 and 125 KHz. So you can’t hear it. Although we do hear a kind of “noise” when the speakers go into operation.
By default, Degritter puts three programs under the right-hand dial. Short, medium and long. The times then are about 6.5 minutes, 8.5 minutes and 11.5 minutes. You can still tweak yourself by adjusting wash and dry times. We kept the long program for the test. This is to see what the best results you can get.
What we do want to point out is that it takes much less time with a brush-suction machine. That takes about 1 minute per side. So say 3 minutes in total per record. And then you really take your time! The Degritter takes at least 6.5 minutes on one record. (but it will do both sides).
Cleaning
But yes … then the result! What can we say: what an impressive machine this is. It is clear that ultrasonic does clean a bit deeper than an already very decent standard machine.
And yet… fingerprints don’t go away completely we noticed. Which makes sense if you think about it. We therefore recommend that before you place a record, you take a moment to wipe it down with a cloth. Then the Degritter will do its “magic” and remove the deepest dirt from the grooves.
If we take a quick look at the tracks we recorded, we really see huge transformations here. Telegraph Road went from a noise paradise to a quiet record. A second time would make it even better (this record was really dirty). Repelsteeltje idem. That record is full of scratches, yet it is clear how deeply the Degritter cleans.
Conclusion
Those who want the best of the best can’t ignore ultrasonic cleaning. And Degritter makes it very easy to deep clean a record at the touch of a button. We can only say: it will cost you some serious money… but then you really have something special. What a fine machine.
Not only quieter!
What may be important to mention is that washing records properly doesn’t just get rid of the ticks, noise and plops. It also brings back detail, air and dynamics. This can also be heard in the samples. Our advice is to pay attention to that as well!
Completing
This was another particularly fun and educational test for your author! It showed that “broken records” do not have to be broken at all. In many cases it’s just dirt stuck in the groove. A decent record washer will simply get that out, allowing you to enjoy your collection to the fullest again.
It also showed that each cleaner has advantages and disadvantages. The Okki Nokki has an excellent price tag – 550 Euros – and cleans dirty records without a problem. However, it would be helpful if the knob and selector on the suction arm were given an position indication.
The ProJect VC-S3 is a very solidly built machine with a powerful motor. The standard price – 699 Euros – is a bit steep when looking at the smaller E2. However, the results we get with the ProJect are good.
Finally, the Degritter Mark II. Ultrasonic works. That much is obvious. What the Degritter can do is simply impressive. The price – 2900 Euros – is…hefty. And fingerprint removal does not go well. So we recommend removing “greasy stains” beforehand.
Nice review. Record cleaning works! Me myself I have a HumminGuru Nova, a cheaper ultrasonic cleaner (650EU) and it is very easy in use and works well too. You put a dirty record in and you get a clean dry record out, that sounds more open, detailed. Remaining scratches get softened. Also here fingerprint removal does not go well, so I remove them before. Probably not as good as the Degritter, so I clean the record often twice, but for me with a small vinyl collection a fine alternative.