Hi my name is Glenn and i have used this service and i must say when i got my records back , I was blown way from the sound I heard from my old lp's . What Steve has done for my records has giving me a new love and passion for listening to vinyl again. i only had 2 records come back and still have surface noise , but i think the records are damaged and no amount of cleaning will fix this . I love this service and i will continue to have Steve and perfect vinyl forever clean my vinyl.
This is one of the better interviews w/Steve, well done! I have been acquiring the top sounding Beatles pressings, nearly done, and they are going straight to Perfect Vinyl.
One thing to add - first time users can test our claims risk free. We offer a money back guarantee on your first order of 16 records. If the outcomes of our process do not meet the expectations we’ve set, simply send the mailer back to us and we’ll refund the cost of our service ($128).
Your explanation of what we (incorrectly) call "mold-release agent" was phenomenal. I was more or less picturing the vinyl equivalent of spraying a waffle iron with Pam up to this point, haha.
I have been using a "mold" release agent for many years. I clean both new and used records using a vacuum record cleaning machine. A work turntable. A mold release agent. Record cleaning fluid (no alcohol) And record preservative. The result is unbelievable quietness. I only play records i purchased in the 60's and 70's because they were manufactured and recorded in a way that does not happen with re-issues. The quality control back then was top priority. And some of my records sound very close to reel to reel tape. I am not joking. Records that have been played with a conical stylus or an earlier model eliptical stylus, have only damaged the top part of the groove wall. By using a narrow profile tip which sits a bit further into the groove can playback the undamaged section to give you a new clearer sound.
This is by far the best informative video on record care. As well the option to have him clean and process some of my best records. Great video maybe your best. Collecting for over 5 decades good to learn a few things. Thanks
Wow! I learned so much about what causes the surface noise and the benefits of this kind of cleaning and optimization. Here's the caveat that I see. The cost of doing this is somewhere between $9 - $10 per record. After doing this, there will still be remaining surface noise that exists that can't be eliminated. So, how far do you go to try to make a record perfect to listen to? This is where I hit a wall and wind up listening to streaming the majority of the time due to the convenience and cost. Even though I really like listening to a record, the time and cost involved trying to make it perfect is sometimes counterproductive. It really seems to me this process should be a part of the manufacturing process to put out a more perfect product to be purchased at the beginning. I think this is a great service for anyone who has the budget to benefit from it. Thanks again, Rick, for enlightening us.
I agree, Neil. Record pressing plants would benefit from adding Steve's process as a last step before packaging. God knows how many dirty "new" records are shipped out.
Fascinating video. Pity there wasn’t a few needle drops so we could hear before and after - possibly just 10 seconds of music (I think that’s allowed) but even if it was the run-in / in between tracks (which can’t infringe any copyright). Do you think that you can do that on the follow-up, please?
Salim, digital recordings rarely showcase the benefits of our process to the fullest. Which is why we offer a money back satisfaction guarantee on your first order. You can test our services with your records on your system with music you love. That is far more meaningful than digitized before and after recordings.
@ I’m sure you’re right that it won’t show off the results to their fullest extent after RUclips compression etc, however, if the sound clip is prefaced with that point then we’ll still hear some difference surely? For someone like me who lives in the UK, it’s a pretty expensive proposition without a demo / example. I’m equally sure that lots of viewers would appreciate it as well. If you really don’t want to, that’s fine and your prerogative, of course.
Great video as it explains in great detail why PVF can deliver sonic improvements. For a local guy like me, is there a price reduction due to eliminating shipping?
Interesting. I do a similar process at home as you know and I get the exact same results! The cost? About $1800 all total (machines, chemicals, etc.) at the time, which was 2014 and 2016/17. The main difference is that I do not soak my records in a detergent for 12 hours nor do I use multifrequency cavitation. There is nothing wrong with multifrequency cavitation if done correctly (one needs to watch time and temperature at the different frequencies). A single frequency of say 70kHz will do the same thing as multifrequency, it just takes more sessions. Yes, the bubble size is different (smaller as you go up in frequency), but the power of the, I'll call it the "exploding vacuum effect" for lack of a better term, is lower the higher the frequency. What I also found fascinating is that your guest and I got into this on a very similar path and motivation. The difference is that I can't build my own cavitation machine. Th big difference as well is that your guest does it on a mass scale. I would also suggest that a more accurate term then "High Resolution" results on a record would be "Restoration" of a record. That is essentially what is happening. Nothing wrong with him using the term high rez as essentially one is bringing out more signal and resolution of the record with the process as long as the term is explained, it is just "restoration" would not require as much explaining. That said, the highest cost for this process is time and 99% of folks don't want to spend the time doing this and I don't blame them. I do it because of the same reasons as your guest, although as I like to say it is also partly because there might be something wrong with me as I am nuts enough to do it. LOL!
Hi Eric, yes, you do have involved at-home process and I'm sure you get good results. Most of my clients have some form of URCM they use today - Kirmuss, KLAudio, Degritter, etc. Most switch to our services because of convenience and enhanced results. Rick and I will address the 70 kHz will eventually get to the same results as multi-frequency in a future video.
@@Steve-PerfectVinylForever Hi Steve, nice to hear from you. Yes, it is easy for me to see why you have the clients you do. I do get the same exact results as you do (enhancement and all as you put it), but can only do up to two records at a time due to the capacity of the vat and the restriction of the transport and the process I use, but it is as far as I can handle to ensure it is done correctly. It is labor intensive and not something that can be done in 10 minutes. I have had records that take days and days. Actually, I have had the spectrum, some records took one session process, while others have taken weeks and everything in-between. I have had a few failures as well (just turned out they were poor pressings or damaged), not many of those though thank goodness. I studied record care for two years solid academically and have many years experience. I was motivated the same way you were. I am thinking of contacting you in near future for a little chat because of our similar paths and I'm curious and I can tell you my story of how I got here.
Good question. The In Groove uses KLaudio ultrasonic record cleaning machines. They operate at 40 kHz, which is good for surface contaminant removal but is very limited in sonic resolution enhancement. Degritters come closer as they use 120 kHz and the cavitation bubble can get into the groove. But you’d need two of them - one for cleaning with surfactants and one for rinsing (or switch dedicated tanks for each step). In Groove would achieve 10% of our sonic outcomes, Degritters maybe 25%-30%. FWIW - I do recommend Degritters for those who clean records at home using cavitation baths (“ultrasonics”).
Hey I wanted to ask you something about a record I own. This picture disc just sounds so bad, not because of the dust or the grime but because of the poor quality of the pressing. I don’t want to return it though, it is very limited, so I just wanted to know, if I play it, will the scratches damage my stylus?
Yeah - picture discs are very poor quality 90% of the time. There are exceptions (Brody Dallle's 'Diploid Love' is one). Unless you see very deep scratches or a deep scratch across the surface I wouldn't worry about the stylus. It's most likely the fact that picture discs are notoriously noisy.
I think $8 per record is reasonable and it could be a nice Christmas gift card gift for a vinyl fan for 10 or 15 records. I am not sure though my wife (or I) would be able to navigate the web site with terms like "A16 - Archival 4.0 SMF optimization" - I don't know what that means and I probably won't be keen to learn. It just sounds too technical, especially the word "optimization" is a dreaded word in tech marketing. I would like my records to sound BETTER and I would like to know what their process removes from the vinyl that other methods don't. How they do it is secondary, really. I am definitely the type of customer though who wants to trust the expert and not mess with records and just damage them more., inadvertently...
What does the expert say about using Record Preservative liquids on the lps after cleaning? One of them claimed 400% (4 times) less distortion on playback. The timbres really were more colorful with deeper tone colors, which would be totally consistent with increased cleanness and purity. Try to get that figure of improvement by upgrading equipment. Probably not possible. Some of the older preservatives and contact cleaners & contact enhancers, can no longer use certain ingredients that are now considered a health hazard. You don't see many berrylium cantilevers on cartridges anymore either; (toxic berrylium dust). The EPA years ago came down on a lot of things. The manufacturing of vacuum tubes were affected too, in some of their processes. I like vintage there
I dissuade the use of topical record treatments, especially if they have been optimized by PVF as they likely leave a residue on the record. That undos the investment clients have made to get all the residue off records with our process. If the manufacturer transparently lists all the ingredients in their preservative solutions, I'd reconsider their use.
1 quest for Steve...do you intend to fix, clean etc album covers and 45's ep's etc.Do you also clean 78's and 16'' transcriptions .And what about scratches?
Hello! Effective multi-frequency ultrasonic cavitation machines are very expensive because each frequency requires a dedicated generator and transducers. Only proper industrial ultrasonic cleaners offer multi-frequency functionality that actually works and they start at $4,000. I recommend you get a really good single frequency unit at either 80 kHz for vintage records or 120 kHz for mostly new records. In the meantime, consider sending 16 records to us to try our services risk free.
@@Steve-PerfectVinylForever I'm certain they will sound great after using your service, unfortunately i have 14k phonograph records and if I'm gonna spend $8 on each and every disc I need cleaned I will hit that $4000 very quickly.
Yeah, I get it. Most of our clients with collections of 5000 albums and up are selective of what they send to us. Meaning, of 14K records, what are the top 10% of records that get played? Those get PVF treatment while you work through the remaining 90% of your collection. This works for some while maybe not viable for others.
OMG! What kinda sonic detail will become available once Steve's process has stripped the manufacturing residue off my Analog Productions 45rpm Dusty in Memphis? The materials science and multifrequency ultrasonics are very exciting! Especially for LPs where the original analog masters are lost.
John, the best I can describe it is Dusty will be transported into your living room, singing straight into your ear! Analog Productions, UHQRs, SuperVinyl, IMPEX (you should hear their Getz/Gilberto!) and other high end vinyl formulations absolutely wake up once they’ve gone through our Archival 4.0 SMF process.
Well…I’m always up for a challenge! What ever music remains on those K-Tel records we all had as a kid (Music Machine was the second record I owned), we’ll find it and enhance it.
I actually have a list going on Discogs right now of my records that I want to send to Perfect Vinyl Forever. I have never sent them anything before, but I have heard only great things. It will be a mix of records I have cleaned myself and ones I have never cleaned. I want to make rips of each record before and after. For a record geek like me, this will be the most fun I can expect to have, haha. I also plan to send him my own first LP, my mom's old copy of Brothers In Arms (yes, RL on both sides) that she gave me when I was like four years old. Yeah, that has taken a bit of a beating, haha. So it will be a similar experience to yours with that copy of Elvis At The International (which, might I add, is now The Westgate, haha). I also have a few warped ones I hope Steve can fix. Of course, that cannot be guaranteed, but if anyone can do it, it's probably him. He will certainly get them properly cleaned for the de-warping process, which is extremely important. Funny, my copy of Layla should also go to PVF. It has some bursts of noise on the title track. I assumed it was wear, but now I can know for sure.
I would love to try Steve's service. But I am too nervous about a shipping issue. Insurance for a loss will help me pay my rent, but it will not find me replacement pressings that took me many years to find, and included some luck. I would prefer to hand deliver my gems to Steve's office. Alas, it is a looooong drive from New Jersey to Wisconsin. For an insurance claim, how do you prove an album's worth? I have a Led Zep II, hot cut pressing, and it might be worth $2,000. I doubt that the post office, or UPS, etc, will agree. And there are other albums that were pricey, because they have superior sound quality. Try to explain that to the FedEx representative, when the same album title is available for $25. I can't imagine trying to explain stamper codes and sound-staging. Rick, this was a great video, and had very good information. Steve did an excellent job explaining everything. I am looking forward to your next interview with him.
It was a great conversation and hopefully the first of many more. It was great to hear the results and to also know that there are no "miracle" claims. Groove damage or scratches can't be remedied - but the clarity and detail of a "VG" record on up is incredible.
I get it. Lots of shipping horror stories out there. Here is something to consider - with many thousands of shipments we have never had a record damaged in transit. Our bespoke mailer does an amazing job protecting against impact and thermal damage.
@@Steve-PerfectVinylForever 0.1% of my worrying is if the box gets crushed, or burn to a crisp in a fire, etc, by the delivery service. 99.9% of my worrying is that the post office loses the box. Three questions: 1) If I pay for a 16-batch cleaning job, do you ship me that shipping box, and provide a return shipping label? If yes, is that shipping label pre-paid? If yes, which delivery service do you use (USPS, FedEx, UPS, someone else)? And is it ground service, 2nd day service, overnight, etc? 2) I have some records that are duplicates. The reason for that is one of them has great sound quality on side 1, and the other has great sound quality on side 2. If I leave a note attached to each of those two identical album titles, will you keep track of which is which, and return them with the notes? Although my ear will be able to identify which is which, I would rather not spend time doing that exercise. 3) Regarding the residue that your process removes, that allows the stylus to have unfettered (or much better) access to the fine details of the groove... ...when fine dust settles in there, will a standard vacuum record cleaning machine be able to reach that fine dust? Or will that fine dust effectively return the records to their former sonic state? In other words, will the groove space where the (now removed) residue had resided end up being replaced by dust, where standard home cleaning vacuum machines cannot reach? Will the cleaned records retain their sonic excellence via conventional home cleaning? Thank you.
Interesting you mention Led Zep II RL. We process many of those, including a M- white label promo which was spectacular! If there is a loss, shippers will not question the value of the contents. If you insure for $2000 and the package is lost or damaged, they reimburse for the entire $2000 claimed value. We use an independent provider for shipping insurance, so a lot of the red tape with USPS, UPS or FedEx is eliminated. Lastly, we have only had a single claim in 2017 with thousands of packages shipped, including international.
There is a lot to be said for clean records but spending a small fortune on cleaning machines is a waste of money , they won't remove scratches and records can be cleaned quite cheaply these days using wet brushing - far better to buy mint original copies or quality reissues, keep them dusted and with decent enough playback equipment surface noise and end groove distortion will never be a problem.
You are correct, first, get good pressings whether vintage or reissues. There are many options of where to go from there. Many choose to do as you recommend and play as-is. However, for those who want the most of their listening experience will take additional steps and PVF's services are available for those who want the best sonic outcomes possible.
Do you have to have that thing going around the circle it's very annoying don't see why you've got it. I suppose you didn't do that test I suggested then to you about a month ago! We all need to know if it's going to cause damage long-term I don't understand why nobody is doing it to find out! Are you going to do it?? A filler is not necessarily a bad idea it could actually lower the noise floor if you use the right type of filler, a plasticizer are quite chunky under a microscope, a smooth filler can help with the microscopic pits in the vinyl all Plastics will have, there is a couple of fillers that could be used after cleaning less than two microns thick. I was wondering about the drug factor of plasticizers as well that could be an issue.
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords what do you mean! you've got a Sonic machine! Why can't you just set an hour repeat the process when you can fit it in, I don't think you need to do 24h or even 12 hours, I think if it's ok after 3 or 4 hours then probably will be okay. Not necessary to rinse between each hour you can do the first hour and then after say two or three hours then do another rinse and then the final one a good rinse! If you've got a copy of tthe same album same pressing this would be ideal as your reference material. You should have asked him would have been interesting maybe you can contact him ?? and ask him maybe he will do it! And another thing he talk about distilled water distilled water this is not the best water!!! maybe if it's three times or more distilled yes could be as good but you need to have dionised water it is used in industry and in Labs it is purer. There is still minerals in distilled water that's why it's not used in batteries cos it would react with the plating in the battery a led acid battery always have to use deionised water it is purer. Peroxide would be a good cleaning agent as well 20% and 5% denatured alcohol, peroxide is a bleaching agent it will destroy organic material, it's probably something he uses doesn't say, you could try it out as an experiment, i can't get 20% only 12% I have to make it and that can be explosive haven't got the equipment yeah don't do it hot 30 degrees Celsius no more. Try 20% peroxide!
Hi - I'm happy you enjoy the videos. Sorry this didn't resonate with you - it was an honest report on a service I've personally tried and was impressed by.
@slistone1940 Glad you got a response. I made the same response except much more in depth and asked for proof of something that was claimed that doesn't exist.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
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Thank you very much for having me as a guest on your channel, Rick! I’ll stay tuned to answer viewer’s questions.
I enjoyed the conversation and having you on the show! 🍺
Hi my name is Glenn and i have used this service and i must say when i got my records back , I was blown way from the sound I heard from my old lp's . What Steve has done for my records has giving me a new love and passion for listening to vinyl again. i only had 2 records come back and still have surface noise , but i think the records are damaged and no amount of cleaning will fix this . I love this service and i will continue to have Steve and perfect vinyl forever clean my vinyl.
Thanks Glenn! I appreciate your testimonial and repeat business.
Much thanks to JOVR! This video made me smile, as I took in what Steve had to say about his process, and technology. Very, very good!
Thanks for watching, Tyrone!
This is one of the better interviews w/Steve, well done! I have been acquiring the top sounding Beatles pressings, nearly done, and they are going straight to Perfect Vinyl.
You won't be disappointed, J!
One thing to add - first time users can test our claims risk free. We offer a money back guarantee on your first order of 16 records. If the outcomes of our process do not meet the expectations we’ve set, simply send the mailer back to us and we’ll refund the cost of our service ($128).
Your explanation of what we (incorrectly) call "mold-release agent" was phenomenal. I was more or less picturing the vinyl equivalent of spraying a waffle iron with Pam up to this point, haha.
I've seen Steve on Sonic Flare channel. Big props to this gentleman raising the vinyl listening experience. Greg
Didn't know about Steve's sonic optimization services. Thanks for introducing it to me and presumably hundreds more!
Cheers, Phil 🎶
I have been using a "mold" release agent for many years.
I clean both new and used records using a vacuum record cleaning machine.
A work turntable.
A mold release agent.
Record cleaning fluid (no alcohol)
And record preservative.
The result is unbelievable quietness.
I only play records i purchased in the 60's and 70's because they were manufactured and recorded in a way that does not happen with re-issues. The quality control back then was top priority. And some of my records sound very close to reel to reel tape. I am not joking.
Records that have been played with a conical stylus or an earlier model eliptical stylus, have only damaged the top part of the groove wall. By using a narrow profile tip which sits a bit further into the groove can playback the undamaged section to give you a new clearer sound.
This is by far the best informative video on record care. As well the option to have him clean and process some of my best records. Great video maybe your best. Collecting for over 5 decades good to learn a few things. Thanks
Thanks for watching, Dan!
This guy (Steve) is refreshingly honest!!
Great video, Rick. Thank you Steve for sharing your knowledge and educating me about your process and benefits.
Thanks, Edward!
@9:33 -- Glad to know that Steve did that.
Wow! I learned so much about what causes the surface noise and the benefits of this kind of cleaning and optimization. Here's the caveat that I see. The cost of doing this is somewhere between $9 - $10 per record. After doing this, there will still be remaining surface noise that exists that can't be eliminated. So, how far do you go to try to make a record perfect to listen to? This is where I hit a wall and wind up listening to streaming the majority of the time due to the convenience and cost. Even though I really like listening to a record, the time and cost involved trying to make it perfect is sometimes counterproductive. It really seems to me this process should be a part of the manufacturing process to put out a more perfect product to be purchased at the beginning. I think this is a great service for anyone who has the budget to benefit from it. Thanks again, Rick, for enlightening us.
I agree, Neil. Record pressing plants would benefit from adding Steve's process as a last step before packaging. God knows how many dirty "new" records are shipped out.
I am sooo ready to send my collection to this guy!😮😊🎉
WOW! Learned so much today! Thanks for the recommendation! I'm now thinking of my "16” records to send to PVF.
Great to hear, Denis! 🍺
Great interview! Thanks for awesome content.
Thanks for watching, Robert!
I remember a few years ago Ultra Fidelis presenting this offering.....and low and behold you are located in my area.
Incredibly interesting. Can’t wait for next one.
Fascinating video. Pity there wasn’t a few needle drops so we could hear before and after - possibly just 10 seconds of music (I think that’s allowed) but even if it was the run-in / in between tracks (which can’t infringe any copyright). Do you think that you can do that on the follow-up, please?
Thanks, Salim. I tried that once (5 seconds) and got hit with a warning.
Salim, digital recordings rarely showcase the benefits of our process to the fullest. Which is why we offer a money back satisfaction guarantee on your first order. You can test our services with your records on your system with music you love. That is far more meaningful than digitized before and after recordings.
@ I’m sure you’re right that it won’t show off the results to their fullest extent after RUclips compression etc, however, if the sound clip is prefaced with that point then we’ll still hear some difference surely? For someone like me who lives in the UK, it’s a pretty expensive proposition without a demo / example. I’m equally sure that lots of viewers would appreciate it as well.
If you really don’t want to, that’s fine and your prerogative, of course.
Great video as it explains in great detail why PVF can deliver sonic improvements. For a local guy like me, is there a price reduction due to eliminating shipping?
I'm sure Steve will weigh in, Peter. Thanks for watching!
Interesting. I do a similar process at home as you know and I get the exact same results! The cost? About $1800 all total (machines, chemicals, etc.) at the time, which was 2014 and 2016/17. The main difference is that I do not soak my records in a detergent for 12 hours nor do I use multifrequency cavitation. There is nothing wrong with multifrequency cavitation if done correctly (one needs to watch time and temperature at the different frequencies). A single frequency of say 70kHz will do the same thing as multifrequency, it just takes more sessions. Yes, the bubble size is different (smaller as you go up in frequency), but the power of the, I'll call it the "exploding vacuum effect" for lack of a better term, is lower the higher the frequency.
What I also found fascinating is that your guest and I got into this on a very similar path and motivation. The difference is that I can't build my own cavitation machine.
Th big difference as well is that your guest does it on a mass scale.
I would also suggest that a more accurate term then "High Resolution" results on a record would be "Restoration" of a record. That is essentially what is happening. Nothing wrong with him using the term high rez as essentially one is bringing out more signal and resolution of the record with the process as long as the term is explained, it is just "restoration" would not require as much explaining.
That said, the highest cost for this process is time and 99% of folks don't want to spend the time doing this and I don't blame them. I do it because of the same reasons as your guest, although as I like to say it is also partly because there might be something wrong with me as I am nuts enough to do it. LOL!
Great to hear from you, Eric! I had a feeling this one might be of interest.
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords If I get the chance I may even contact him as I think it may be an interesting conversation as we do share the same passion.
Hi Eric, yes, you do have involved at-home process and I'm sure you get good results. Most of my clients have some form of URCM they use today - Kirmuss, KLAudio, Degritter, etc. Most switch to our services because of convenience and enhanced results. Rick and I will address the 70 kHz will eventually get to the same results as multi-frequency in a future video.
@@Steve-PerfectVinylForever Hi Steve, nice to hear from you. Yes, it is easy for me to see why you have the clients you do. I do get the same exact results as you do (enhancement and all as you put it), but can only do up to two records at a time due to the capacity of the vat and the restriction of the transport and the process I use, but it is as far as I can handle to ensure it is done correctly. It is labor intensive and not something that can be done in 10 minutes. I have had records that take days and days. Actually, I have had the spectrum, some records took one session process, while others have taken weeks and everything in-between. I have had a few failures as well (just turned out they were poor pressings or damaged), not many of those though thank goodness.
I studied record care for two years solid academically and have many years experience. I was motivated the same way you were. I am thinking of contacting you in near future for a little chat because of our similar paths and I'm curious and I can tell you my story of how I got here.
Complett Costs for 16 Records for best cleaning process with Shipping from Germany?
The question is how this compares to the service offered by the In Groove....and a normal ultrasonic cleaner such as the Degritter.
Good question. The In Groove uses KLaudio ultrasonic record cleaning machines. They operate at 40 kHz, which is good for surface contaminant removal but is very limited in sonic resolution enhancement. Degritters come closer as they use 120 kHz and the cavitation bubble can get into the groove. But you’d need two of them - one for cleaning with surfactants and one for rinsing (or switch dedicated tanks for each step). In Groove would achieve 10% of our sonic outcomes, Degritters maybe 25%-30%. FWIW - I do recommend Degritters for those who clean records at home using cavitation baths (“ultrasonics”).
@@Steve-PerfectVinylForever looking forward to sending you some records to clean!
I used this service and can recommend
Hey I wanted to ask you something about a record I own. This picture disc just sounds so bad, not because of the dust or the grime but because of the poor quality of the pressing. I don’t want to return it though, it is very limited, so I just wanted to know, if I play it, will the scratches damage my stylus?
Yeah - picture discs are very poor quality 90% of the time. There are exceptions (Brody Dallle's 'Diploid Love' is one). Unless you see very deep scratches or a deep scratch across the surface I wouldn't worry about the stylus. It's most likely the fact that picture discs are notoriously noisy.
I think $8 per record is reasonable and it could be a nice Christmas gift card gift for a vinyl fan for 10 or 15 records. I am not sure though my wife (or I) would be able to navigate the web site with terms like "A16 - Archival 4.0 SMF optimization" - I don't know what that means and I probably won't be keen to learn. It just sounds too technical, especially the word "optimization" is a dreaded word in tech marketing. I would like my records to sound BETTER and I would like to know what their process removes from the vinyl that other methods don't. How they do it is secondary, really. I am definitely the type of customer though who wants to trust the expert and not mess with records and just damage them more., inadvertently...
What does the expert say about using Record Preservative liquids on the lps after cleaning? One of them claimed 400% (4 times) less distortion on playback. The timbres really were more colorful with deeper tone colors, which would be totally consistent with increased cleanness and purity. Try to get that figure of improvement by upgrading equipment. Probably not possible.
Some of the older preservatives and contact cleaners & contact enhancers, can no longer use certain ingredients that are now considered a health hazard. You don't see many berrylium cantilevers on cartridges anymore either; (toxic berrylium dust). The EPA years ago came down on a lot of things. The manufacturing of vacuum tubes were affected too, in some of their processes. I like vintage there
I dissuade the use of topical record treatments, especially if they have been optimized by PVF as they likely leave a residue on the record. That undos the investment clients have made to get all the residue off records with our process. If the manufacturer transparently lists all the ingredients in their preservative solutions, I'd reconsider their use.
They need a "gift card" option as this would be a great gift to give to any vinyl enthusiast!
That's a great idea!
1 quest for Steve...do you intend to fix, clean etc album covers and 45's ep's etc.Do you also clean 78's and 16'' transcriptions .And what about scratches?
I've been looking at consumer grade multi-frequency cleaners, the only affordable one I've seen did 28khz and 40khz, but nothing higher.
Hello! Effective multi-frequency ultrasonic cavitation machines are very expensive because each frequency requires a dedicated generator and transducers. Only proper industrial ultrasonic cleaners offer multi-frequency functionality that actually works and they start at $4,000. I recommend you get a really good single frequency unit at either 80 kHz for vintage records or 120 kHz for mostly new records. In the meantime, consider sending 16 records to us to try our services risk free.
@@Steve-PerfectVinylForever I'm certain they will sound great after using your service, unfortunately i have 14k phonograph records and if I'm gonna spend $8 on each and every disc I need cleaned I will hit that $4000 very quickly.
Yeah, I get it. Most of our clients with collections of 5000 albums and up are selective of what they send to us. Meaning, of 14K records, what are the top 10% of records that get played? Those get PVF treatment while you work through the remaining 90% of your collection. This works for some while maybe not viable for others.
OMG! What kinda sonic detail will become available once Steve's process has stripped the manufacturing residue off my Analog Productions 45rpm Dusty in Memphis? The materials science and multifrequency ultrasonics are very exciting! Especially for LPs where the original analog masters are lost.
John, the best I can describe it is Dusty will be transported into your living room, singing straight into your ear! Analog Productions, UHQRs, SuperVinyl, IMPEX (you should hear their Getz/Gilberto!) and other high end vinyl formulations absolutely wake up once they’ve gone through our Archival 4.0 SMF process.
I will say - The Doors "LA Woman" sounded live.
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords I'm sold!
Just wonder how much a "clean" K-Tel record could be helped, lol! I've got a few of those from my childhood
Well…I’m always up for a challenge! What ever music remains on those K-Tel records we all had as a kid (Music Machine was the second record I owned), we’ll find it and enhance it.
Probably not a lot. I had/have a few of those. The fidelity is lower to start with.
I actually have a list going on Discogs right now of my records that I want to send to Perfect Vinyl Forever. I have never sent them anything before, but I have heard only great things. It will be a mix of records I have cleaned myself and ones I have never cleaned. I want to make rips of each record before and after. For a record geek like me, this will be the most fun I can expect to have, haha.
I also plan to send him my own first LP, my mom's old copy of Brothers In Arms (yes, RL on both sides) that she gave me when I was like four years old. Yeah, that has taken a bit of a beating, haha. So it will be a similar experience to yours with that copy of Elvis At The International (which, might I add, is now The Westgate, haha).
I also have a few warped ones I hope Steve can fix. Of course, that cannot be guaranteed, but if anyone can do it, it's probably him. He will certainly get them properly cleaned for the de-warping process, which is extremely important.
Funny, my copy of Layla should also go to PVF. It has some bursts of noise on the title track. I assumed it was wear, but now I can know for sure.
When you do it, I'd really like to know how it goes and what your results are.
I would love to try Steve's service. But I am too nervous about a shipping issue.
Insurance for a loss will help me pay my rent, but it will not find me replacement pressings that took me many years to find, and included some luck.
I would prefer to hand deliver my gems to Steve's office. Alas, it is a looooong drive from New Jersey to Wisconsin.
For an insurance claim, how do you prove an album's worth?
I have a Led Zep II, hot cut pressing, and it might be worth $2,000. I doubt that the post office, or UPS, etc, will agree.
And there are other albums that were pricey, because they have superior sound quality. Try to explain that to the FedEx representative, when the same album title is available for $25. I can't imagine trying to explain stamper codes and sound-staging.
Rick, this was a great video, and had very good information. Steve did an excellent job explaining everything. I am looking forward to your next interview with him.
It was a great conversation and hopefully the first of many more. It was great to hear the results and to also know that there are no "miracle" claims. Groove damage or scratches can't be remedied - but the clarity and detail of a "VG" record on up is incredible.
I get it. Lots of shipping horror stories out there. Here is something to consider - with many thousands of shipments we have never had a record damaged in transit. Our bespoke mailer does an amazing job protecting against impact and thermal damage.
@@Steve-PerfectVinylForever 0.1% of my worrying is if the box gets crushed, or burn to a crisp in a fire, etc, by the delivery service.
99.9% of my worrying is that the post office loses the box.
Three questions:
1) If I pay for a 16-batch cleaning job, do you ship me that shipping box, and provide a return shipping label?
If yes, is that shipping label pre-paid?
If yes, which delivery service do you use (USPS, FedEx, UPS, someone else)? And is it ground service, 2nd day service, overnight, etc?
2) I have some records that are duplicates. The reason for that is one of them has great sound quality on side 1, and the other has great sound quality on side 2.
If I leave a note attached to each of those two identical album titles, will you keep track of which is which, and return them with the notes?
Although my ear will be able to identify which is which, I would rather not spend time doing that exercise.
3) Regarding the residue that your process removes, that allows the stylus to have unfettered (or much better) access to the fine details of the groove...
...when fine dust settles in there, will a standard vacuum record cleaning machine be able to reach that fine dust? Or will that fine dust effectively return the records to their former sonic state?
In other words, will the groove space where the (now removed) residue had resided end up being replaced by dust, where standard home cleaning vacuum machines cannot reach? Will the cleaned records retain their sonic excellence via conventional home cleaning?
Thank you.
Interesting you mention Led Zep II RL. We process many of those, including a M- white label promo which was spectacular! If there is a loss, shippers will not question the value of the contents. If you insure for $2000 and the package is lost or damaged, they reimburse for the entire $2000 claimed value. We use an independent provider for shipping insurance, so a lot of the red tape with USPS, UPS or FedEx is eliminated. Lastly, we have only had a single claim in 2017 with thousands of packages shipped, including international.
There is a lot to be said for clean records but spending a small fortune on cleaning machines is a waste of money , they won't remove scratches and records can be cleaned quite cheaply these days using wet brushing - far better to buy mint original copies or quality reissues, keep them dusted and with decent enough playback equipment surface noise and end groove distortion will never be a problem.
You are correct, first, get good pressings whether vintage or reissues. There are many options of where to go from there. Many choose to do as you recommend and play as-is. However, for those who want the most of their listening experience will take additional steps and PVF's services are available for those who want the best sonic outcomes possible.
Do you have to have that thing going around the circle it's very annoying don't see why you've got it.
I suppose you didn't do that test I suggested then to you about a month ago! We all need to know if it's going to cause damage long-term I don't understand why nobody is doing it to find out! Are you going to do it??
A filler is not necessarily a bad idea it could actually lower the noise floor if you use the right type of filler, a plasticizer are quite chunky under a microscope, a smooth filler can help with the microscopic pits in the vinyl all Plastics will have, there is a couple of fillers that could be used after cleaning less than two microns thick. I was wondering about the drug factor of plasticizers as well that could be an issue.
Hi Jedi - I would love to but have no means of actually doing so. I rely on the experts when it comes to ultrasonics. 😎
@@TheJoyofVinylRecords what do you mean! you've got a Sonic machine! Why can't you just set an hour repeat the process when you can fit it in, I don't think you need to do 24h or even 12 hours, I think if it's ok after 3 or 4 hours then probably will be okay. Not necessary to rinse between each hour you can do the first hour and then after say two or three hours then do another rinse and then the final one a good rinse! If you've got a copy of tthe same album same pressing this would be ideal as your reference material. You should have asked him would have been interesting maybe you can contact him ?? and ask him maybe he will do it!
And another thing he talk about distilled water distilled water this is not the best water!!! maybe if it's three times or more distilled yes could be as good but you need to have dionised water it is used in industry and in Labs it is purer. There is still minerals in distilled water that's why it's not used in batteries cos it would react with the plating in the battery a led acid battery always have to use deionised water it is purer. Peroxide would be a good cleaning agent as well 20% and 5% denatured alcohol, peroxide is a bleaching agent it will destroy organic material, it's probably something he uses doesn't say, you could try it out as an experiment, i can't get 20% only 12% I have to make it and that can be explosive haven't got the equipment yeah don't do it hot 30 degrees Celsius no more. Try 20% peroxide!
Love your videos, man. But that was just an infomercial.
Hi - I'm happy you enjoy the videos. Sorry this didn't resonate with you - it was an honest report on a service I've personally tried and was impressed by.
@slistone1940 Glad you got a response. I made the same response except much more in depth and asked for proof of something that was claimed that doesn't exist.