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

Product Information

The most immediately and potentially attractive feature of the VC-E is its physical size. Unlike my reference VPI 16.5, which is large enough to accommodate an entire LP within its confines, the Pro-Ject VC-E lets the records hang out in the space around its cabinet. Whether this is an advantage to you or not depends on whether space is at a premium in your world and how well your cleaning technique can be adapted to a lighter touch. More on cleaning technique later. To do this, we need a soft pad with fibers capable of getting into the groove as we clean the record in a circular motion. The rather swish looking, robust chassis covers the motor which has been damped to reduce noise. Often, lower cost RCMs can be horribly noisy – you feel that you’re sitting next to a hoover running at full blast. Not here. Also, the motor switch allows you to change platter direction while you clean or vacuum in one direction and then in another.

I really like Pro-Ject’s Wash-It solution, and I use as part of my cleaning arsenal (particularly as it’s alcohol-free and safe to use on shellac records). But for very dirty used records, I’ve found GrooveWasher’s G3 formula to be highly effective. The unit weight is a huge improvement on previous Pro-Ject models—particularly for those of us that live in fairly modest size homes where space is at a premium and such devices have to be stored when not in use. Whichever cleaning fluid you choose, make sure it’s a fluid you trust that won’t damage your cleaning machine. Avoid using standard household cleaning products or tap water. Conclusion – Which machine is best? The new VC-E2 is our new compact record cleaning machine with completely new, superior features. Vinyl records need a specific maintenance. The dry brush cleaning before playing the record is good to roughly remove dust. To effectively clean the grooves, you need to wet clean the record. I have Hudson, Kaiu and Onzow Zerodust gooey stylus cleaners. There isn’t much between them, but the magnifying mirror on the Kaiu is pretty sweet. I use a Hudson ultrasonic + UV stylus cleaner as required.

Package Contents

I’ve championed the Pro-Ject VC-S as being the best value for money vacuum record cleaning machine on the market since the introduction of the original model. The second generation brought some welcome improvements with only a slight price hike. In typical Pro-Ject fashion, the VC-S has always been a well made, well featured and keenly priced machine. And with the launch of the next VC models, of which there are now two, the bar is raised to new heights. Features Surface noise is certainly reduced, even with a lowly Disco Antistat machine and even more so with the better machines. The Loricraft has a dramatic effect on secondhand records I buy. 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 second issue concerns not the machine but the included cleaning fluid, Pro-Ject Wash It. I have discovered that cleaning a record with the Pro-Ject cleaning fluid leaves a tiny bit of dried fluid residue, not visible to the naked eye but definitely there. Perhaps this is a “feature not a bug,” for example to provide some anti-static property to the record. Or perhaps it’s unintentional. After a fair amount of research, I’m uncomfortable with anything that leaves any residue on the record, though I cannot discern any degradation in sound quality when I listen to records I’ve cleaned with the Pro-Ject fluid. But those with more resolving systems or better hearing than me might. If you love vinyl and you have the cash, the only way to properly clean your records is with a record cleaning machine. A good quality RCM that is solid, performs well and offers great value for money. Instead of putting the record on a platter, you clamp it to an enlarged spindle which reduces contamination on the non-cleaning side of the record. The RCM also arrives with a hinged dust lid. You can buy this RCM as a ready to go item or in kit form at a reduced price. The motor is noisy, though. As ever in this hobby there’s a risk of budget creep! With the need to buy secondhand vinyl nowadays due to discs being out of print I think some sort of cleaning machine is vitalActual measurements (width x height x depth) are 415 x 325 x 272 mm (fully assembled), with a weight of 8KG. The VC-E is more compact at 310 x 266 x 210mm (fully assembled) and lighter at 6.5 KG. The VC-S3 is made for advanced users with bigger record collections, and more time required for proper record cleaning. The VC-E2 is designed to be easier to accommodate for smaller spaces and for those with smaller collections. The VC-E2 is further improved upon its predecessor thanks to its new improved vacuum steam outlet, redirecting all exhaust fumes away from the lower record surface. Both models are fully designed and made in Europe to the highest technical standard. The magnetic clamp works well and does speed up the process as advertised while protecting the label just as well as the screw-down clamp. The Project VCS MKI (which I’m reviewing) features an aluminum arm and base. The MKII, however, features a nylon arm and nylon base.