LP flattening, when to consider?

[spiritofmusic]

So, you never vary much beyond 52°? Go to 54° if stubborn warps don't shift?

 

[djsina2]

So, you never vary much beyond 52°? Go to 54° if stubborn warps don't shift?

Correct, I’ve only used that option #3 a small percentage of the time and I’m up to 522 records processed so far.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Relax more aside, you still feel the Orb isn't as flexible on temperature?
Yet, you're only stating 52-54°.
The Orb doesn't cover these?

 

[djsina2]

Relax more aside, you still feel the Orb isn't as flexible on temperature?
Yet, you're only stating 52-54°.
The Orb doesn't cover these?

With Orb you have 3 static settings L, M, H. The cycle times are the same for each. There’s nothing in the docs saying what temps are being used. When I had the Orb I used L for most everything and then sometimes M. H seems like a last chance setting. I tried it a couple of times and it melted records. With the Orb you cannot set the cycle times but you can long press a button to immediately go into cooling at any point if you want a short cycle. AFI has more temp/time options you can experiment with but so far I’m only using what AFI recommends.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Ironic to ask in a hobby where we like to sit back and relax, but can one apply *too much* relaxation via the AFI?
Ie if one needs to keep at it, into that extra long phase.
I can understand one needing to keep at it to flatten a particularly persistent warp.
But relaxation seems a somewhat different phenomenon, and thus could one relax an album too much?
Or like my wife's cats, and best friends' kids, there can never be *too much* relaxation? Lol.

 

[djsina2]

Ironic to ask in a hobby where we like to sit back and relax, but can one apply *too much* relaxation via the AFI?
Ie if one needs to keep at it, into that extra long phase.
I can understand one needing to keep at it to flatten a particularly persistent warp.
But relaxation seems a somewhat different phenomenon, and thus could one relax an album too much?
Or like my wife's cats, and best friends' kids, there can never be *too much* relaxation? Lol.

I think there’s something in the manual regarding this, will need to refresh my memory. I’ll take a look tomorrow.

 

[djsina2]

The (extremely long winded) manual says “it should be noted that excessively intensive or frequent thermal treatment of the records can have a negative effect on their sound quality”.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Well, if you're only going to flatten/relax once (does anyone ever re-warp their LPs?), "frequent thermal treatment" shouldn't apply.
But would doing a couple, or even three
relaxing periods in a row constitute "excessively intensive"?

 

[Bartolo1]

The (extremely long winded) manual says “it should be noted that excessively intensive or frequent thermal treatment of the records can have a negative effect on their sound quality”.

I would wonder how much heat over how much time would result in loss of exceedingly fine micro-structure within the grooves leading to a "negative effect on sound quality."

 

[Matthewnz]

I have a two questions and a comment regarding maintenance of this device. The operating manual states that "a commercially window cleaning agent is suitable for cleaning the panes". I followed this directive and the activity appeared to raise a film like residue that is difficult to remove. Please note that prior to using this device all records have been cleaned and dried using a VPI 10.1 and Audio Intelligent solutions followed by a Degritter.
Have any users had a similar experience? How do you clean the "panes"?

 

[djsina2]

I have a two questions and a comment regarding maintenance of this device. The operating manual states that "a commercially window cleaning agent is suitable for cleaning the panes". I followed this directive and the activity appeared to raise a film like residue that is difficult to remove. Please note that prior to using this device all records have been cleaned and dried using a VPI 10.1 and Audio Intelligent solutions followed by a Degritter.
Have any users had a similar experience? How do you clean the "panes"?

What are the panes? Do you have any after pictures? Can’t say I’ve ever cleaned anything on mine.

 

[theflattire]

I got a used Vinyl Flat just because.
Went economy so I didn't have to justify the cost.

Does a pretty good job of taking out really bad warps (cart bottoming out) and ok on minor ones.
Sometimes takes two sessions.
Mostly it's there so I don't get a feeling of despair when I get a brand new record and it's warped.

 

[Matthewnz]

What are the panes? Do you have any after pictures? Can’t say I’ve ever cleaned anything on mine.

The the term pane is taken from the manual that came with the machine. I believe the author is referring to the record bearing surfaces inside the unit. The problem is the waxy stuff smeared on the disc as seen on the attachment. As per the instructional manual I used a glass cleaner (Windex) in this case. In the attached pic the apparent dust particles come from my phone camera lens.
Maybe I should have been cleaning the "panes" more frequently as opposed to waiting until after 137 cycles.

 

[djsina2]

The the term pane is taken from the manual that came with the machine. I believe the author is referring to the record bearing surfaces inside the unit. The problem is the waxy stuff smeared on the disc as seen on the attachment. As per the instructional manual I used a glass cleaner (Windex) in this case. In the attached pic the apparent dust particles come from my phone camera lens.
Maybe I should have been cleaning the "panes" more frequently as opposed to waiting until after 137 cycles.

Interesting. I’m at 271 cycles. I’ve never cleaned mine with any liquid. I wipe them off occasionally with a dry microfiber towel. They really don’t get dirty since they’re always in the machine. Your “pane” looks different than mine. It seems your recessed areas have some sort of texture and mine are smooth. That manual is painful to read so I’ve ignored much of it.

 

[Matthewnz]

After 3 attempts at removing the waxy deposit from the record bearing surfaces I seem to be making significant headway in removing it. I did switch to different glass cleaner (a dollar store brand found in my utility closet).
Prior to my cleaning effort I had not experienced any particular playback issues on treated records. Rather, I noticed a smudge after dusting the "panes" prior to placing records in the machine. I was wondering where the film originated from, the factory? The records being processed? The room air? I didn't want to bake this stuff onto the records.