Pro-ject VC-E Mini record cleaning machine
Pro-ject has unveiled the VC-E Mini. Joining the larger VC-E2 and VC-E3 in the Austrian manufacturer’s vacuum record cleaning line-up, the VC-E Mini brings the same 30 RPM cleaning speed to a smaller, more space-friendly format.
Arm-free suction system
The VC-E Mini uses an arm-free suction system. Instead of a traditional suction arm, cleaning fluid is removed from beneath the record and drawn down into the base of the machine. This reduces moving parts and helps keep the design simple and space efficient. A newly developed brushless DC (BLDC) vacuum motor provides the suction, while a built-in tank collects used cleaning fluid during operation.
Ready to use
The VC-E Mini is ready to clean records straight out of the box. Included accessories comprise a cleaning brush, magnetic clamp, self-adhesive arm strip, and a 100 ml bottle of Pro-Ject Wash it 2 cleaning solution.
The brush helps work the fluid into the record grooves, while the magnetic clamp both speeds up handling and seals the record label to protect it from moisture. Wash it 2 is Pro-ject’s latest ready-to-use cleaning fluid, made from demineralised water and cleaning concentrate. It contains no alcohol, which can damage record surfaces, and is non-toxic, non-flammable, and eco-friendly.
As well as extracting dirt and residue from the grooves, the vacuum-cleaning process removes the static load from vinyl records, helping to reduce dust attraction after cleaning.
European build
The VC-E Mini is made in Europe and housed in a rigid chassis made from 4 mm aluminium composite panels. Compact and robust, it is designed to sit comfortably alongside a hi-fi system. Feedback from owners of Pro-ject’s vacuum record cleaners suggests they are often left on display rather than stored away, and the VC-E Mini delivers the same tidy, purposeful design.
Measuring 230 × 155 × 185 mm (WHD) and weighing 2.1 kg (without power supply), the VC-E Mini is designed to be practical, durable, and easy to live with.
Availability and Pricing
The Pro-ject VC-E Mini will be available in the UK from Pro-ject dealers nationwide in April, priced at £249. Pro-ject Audio Systems is exclusively distributed in the UK by Henley Audio. For reference in press coverage, the euro price is €279.