How much would you spend on a record cleaning machine? Keith Monks’ ReduxTwo certainly looks like nothing we have ever seen, but the argument can be made that there are alternatives such as the Degritter Mark II ($3,280 USD) or VPI MW-1 Cyclone ($1,800 USD) that will clean your records well enough for less.
For those who have been collecting and listening to records for decades or just starting out, it is important to keep your records clean. They will sound better, and last longer, and your phono cartridge will deliver many more hours of quality playback playing records that are free of dust and other particles.
Although there are several affordable record cleaning options, some vinyl cleaning accessories can be very expensive, such as the Keith Monk ReduxTwo Archive Standard Record Cleaning Machine and Universal Disc Cleaner.
Let’s dig in and find out what the deal is and if it is worth it for you.
The Evolution of the ReduxTwo
It all started with the world’s first-ever Record Cleaning Machine, a design collaboration between Keith Monks Audio and the BBC Radio Record Library in the late 1960s.
Over 50 years later, ReduxTwo pays homage to its ancestors with an updated look in addition to its performance.
After ten years of re-establishing Precision Record Cleaning into the mainstream with discOveryOne and the Prodigy record cleaning machines, Keith Monks Audio has introduced the ReduxTwo.
This new product entry into the Keith Monks Audio record cleaning product line was designed in collaboration with two university libraries and a specialist audio restoration engineer, to deliver Archive Standard Record Cleaning.
The product design is geared for both professional and home audiophile use. Attention to quality components, simple build and modular construction, and easy operation deliver the quality and reliability traditionally associated with the name Keith Monks.
As a result, the ReduxTwo is the natural successor to the original pro Monks.
Modular construction
Precision engineering ensures reliability, but when maintenance is necessary, the ReduxTwo allows quick and easy access. All main functions of each machine are a series of plug-in sub-assemblies. All workings are accessible under the lift-up top deck.
The main parts are removable for servicing and are also available as plug-in replacement modules at a reasonable cost.
Components
Two main components – the washing brush block and vacuum wand – are reworkings of the original 1960s BBC-Monks design. They not only have the “cool retro” look of the original but were redesigned to deliver superior cleaning performance and improved durability.
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ReduxTwo requires one pump unit. However, the professional Archivist version of the pump unit is available for a standard ReduxTwo special order for domestic customers desiring the ultimate in Archive Standard Cleaning.
As with the entire ReduxTwo cabinet design and construction, Keith Monks Audio builds both versions of SmoothFlowPro into its unique sub-cabinet, all laser cut and hand-built in-house in the Monks UK factory.
Easy plug-in connections make both standard single- and Archivist twin-pump versions of SmoothFlowPro available as a simple plug-in accessory with its own power supply.
This allows legacy customers to benefit from the new design and upgrade any vintage Monks back to the original Monks Mk II, the world’s first production electric record cleaner back in 1969.
SmoothFlowPro
The core of the Redux is the proprietary heavy-duty brushless Monks SmoothFlowPro medical-grade diaphragm pump. An array of air valves is synchronized to open and close in sequence, reinforcing each other’s collective vacuum creation, achieving an elevated (a further 3l/min), sustained suction, and smoothed-out airflow without turbulence.
Airflow is more important than the degree of vacuum for effective fluid removal. SmoothFlowPro allows the machine to run faster, reducing the user’s time to clean each record while improving performance.
The smoothness of the airflow allows the threadless suction tip to ‘reach’ even deeper into the groove, removing every minute droplet of moisture and contamination.
SmoothFlowPro also runs quieter, and its brushless motor technology ensures increased reliability.
Zero Recontamination
The most significant benefit of a Monks is its ability to not recontaminate a cleaned record. A teaspoon of discOvery cleaning fluid, used only once, is then vacuumed away with all the dislodged dirt and dissolved oils.
The fluid also washes the suction nozzle tip while cleaning discs, so there is no build-up of dirty vacuuming wands or oils in an ultrasonic tank. Being all-natural and biodegradable, you can flush the fluid down the sink.
Precision vacuuming removes all the contaminated fluid away from the record groove – precisely, one turn at a time. This is more efficient than blow-drying the record, which can make some contaminated fluid evaporate and dry hard onto the surface.
Co-invented with the BBC, this cleaning system is still the only one approved and used at all the major archives and libraries worldwide – according to Keith Monks.
Power Supply: All electrical parts are 12-volt DC and run from an external heavy-duty inline regulated switch mode power supply unit for always-safe use and work inside the unit.
Accessories
- Included:
- Brush block holder and Pyr/\mat StayClean for 12″ LP records
- DiscOvery cleaning fluids for Vinyl, Shellac 78s, and Optical discs (CD, DVD, Blu-ray, etc), and concentrate for extra dirty records and system cleaning.
- Optional:
- Brush block holders for 10″ and 7″ records. All brush blocks are quick and easy plug-in connections.
- Pyr/\mat for 7″ records
Bottom Line
For all its build complexity – once the ReduxTwo is set up, all the user has to do is move the suction arm into place, apply the fluid, then leave it. ReduxTwo does the rest, then switches itself off, and Viola! Your record is clean.
Of course, all this comes at a price. But if you have thousands of records in your collection and play them frequently, the ReduxTwo might be a worthwhile investment.
Price & Availability
Keith Monks ReduxTwo will be available internationally beginning November 2024, priced at $5930 USD, £4930, or €5570.
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