LEVAR TWIN record cleaning machine Double-sided cleaning/suction-Microfibre tech

Description

Record cleaning machine RCM LEVAR TWIN -
Double-sided cleaning/suction - Microfibre technology
(Standard Version 220 Volt - Also 110 Volt in stock!)
The LEVAR cleaning concept
01 - Experience, Development & Production
02 - The LEVAR technology
03 - TWIN Model Specifications & Scope of Delivery
04 - Reviews & Testimonials
01 - Experience, Development & Production
The philosophy of the LEVAR brand
Our record cleaning machines stands for professional vinyl cleaning, intuitive operation, best cleaning results and high suction performance in the drying process. The result is a clean, absolutely dry and immediately playable record. Nowadays it is expected that the record can be placed and played back immediately after the cleaning process.
Developed for the following user groups
For sound lovers, hifi fans, DJs, collectors, record shops, hifi enthusiasts and all who are interested in preserving the value and sound performance of their records.
Production & Quality - Made in Germany
The high manufacturing quality of the machines and the longevity of the components are exemplary. Our LEVAR models only differ in terms of ease of use and equipment. We offer a suitable model for every user type and price range to make it easier to enter the "world of washing".
LEVAR machines are designed in such a way that they do not require regular wearing parts. There are no consumables such as brushes, rollers, O-rings, wheels, wipers and much more. Only the microfibre strips should be changed routinely, of course. And the optics? "Form follows function" was the basic requirement and makes the machines compatible with living rooms.
Development & many years of experience
The development of the LEVAR cleaning concept and the resulting models is based on the many years of experience of MHW AUDIO GmbH and the wishes of thousands of RCM owners. Already for 2 decades we are specialist for vinyl cleaning and trade partner of nearly all brands. Against the background that we ourselves are passionate vinyl listeners and collectors, our own machine series is a long-cherished need to meet our own demands for form, cleanliness and function.
A record washing machine should generally be "simple but solid". Electronic "gimmicks" or "fixed preset programs" have proven to be unreliable or unnecessary in our twenty years of experience with customer requests and the "real" washing routine.
Error susceptibility or a lack of individual adaptability of the machine to the "actual" degree of soiling of a record is something we often hear. We have followed the "easy wash & dry" concept from the very beginning and the success of our cleaning concept confirms this every day.
02 - The LEVAR Technology
The three-stage LEVAR cleaning Concept
With a few intuitive steps to a clean, dry and playable record: Gentle, time-saving, quiet and thorough. From our many years of experience, this always includes three decisive parameters, which we defined precisely during the development of the machines: What is needed is a powerful cleaner that is capable of dissolving or loosening the majority of dirt deposits. It requires a groovable medium which is able to loosen and push away those dirt particles which cannot be loosened by a cleaning agent alone. A quick and powerful suction is required to remove the dirty water and the dirt particles dissolved in it from the plate. And this in the interests of the user as quietly and quietly as possible.
01 - First cleaning stage - The effective cleaner
A high quality cleaner for the adhesion and detachment of dirt residues such as: dusts, microparticles, greases, release agent residues, wet driving residues, traces of use. All these external influences combine and/or "bake" into the groove. These residues are the main causes of crackling and cracking. A routine basic cleaning with every vinyl purchase is therefore highly recommended. This applies to both brand-new records and used vinyl. The LEVAR models are characterized by a low consumption of cleaning agents during operation. The cleaner can be dosed individually (depending on the degree of soiling).
02 - Second cleaning stage - Grooved microfibre strips
Our special microfibre technology has the ability to penetrate deep into the groove and flank and gently remove the dirt. During this phase the important interaction between cleaner and mechanics takes place. One cleaner alone cannot lead "without brush" to the desired result and the brush alone cannot gently remove the dirt "without" one cleaner.
With our technology, the microfibre strips run permanently "in and through the detergent bath" and pass carefully, continuously and well-watered over adherences - without scraping them off by force or scratching the surfaces.
The particles dissolved in this way are removed from the microfibre strips "as gently as possible". A decisive difference to "common" brush concepts made of plastic with too thick fibres, which usually do not reach the groove or the bottom of the groove.
03 - Third cleaning stage - suction & drying process
Low-noise, fast and powerful extraction! Drying by extracting the dirty water is fast, quiet and low-noise. The liquid is sucked off completely. The label (sticker on the plate) remains absolutely dry. Manual post-drying, as known from other machine concepts, is no longer necessary.
The vinyl can be placed directly after the cleaning process and played back or archived. Another aspect that makes a comfort machine. Also the choice of the individual cleaning & suction time as well as the dosage of the detergent quantity. The user should be able to determine these parameters individually.
A vinyl record, "considered on its own", is always contaminated in different ways.
The records take the cleaner differently strongly. A long washing time (which often works wonders) may require repeated rinsing. Wet running residues, release agent residues, caking and traces of long-term use or soiling of flea market items or heavily used panels, all this - individually and in combination - requires an individual cleaning time and quantity of cleaner in order to achieve the optimum result. In this case, pre-defined programs or technical gimmicks are of little help.
Conclusion of the defined 3 cleaning stages:
The LEVAR 3-step program is mandatory for optimum washing results. Numerous test series confirm this. Usual brushes or brush machines often only fulfil 1 to 2 of the listed points or simply miss a lot - e.g. a non-existent groovability due to too "wide" plastic or nylon fibre brushes (these cannot physically reach the groove base), no or a too weakly acting cleaner or harmful household remedies from the car, optician or window cleaning sector which are not adapted to vinyl, or homemade cocktails made from dishwashing detergents, etc., Often a wet label due to missing total label coverage or faulty technical concepts (manual post-drying with a cloth required) and air drying, i.e. no extraction with plastic tub devices with hand crank and without the possibility of a real "reaction time".
03 - Specifications & Scope of Delivery / TWIN
LEVAR TWIN - Double sided & simultaneous record cleaning machine for LPs & singles (7 and 10 inch)
Brief description LEVAR TWIN
This comfort machine is our top model, awarded with the "Best of LP Award 2019" and "Best of Image Hifi 2019" and has been sold successfully for 2 years. The TWIN is technically mature, well proven and, like all our machines, is manufactured in Germany. We attach great importance to intuitive and simple operation, as well as to perfect workmanship and the high quality of the components.
In three steps to a clean & dry plate: "Plug, Wash & Dry".
Pure ease of use for sound lovers, collectors, DJs or record shops. State-of-the-art development technology: The LEVAR TWIN washes both sides at the same time and "groove-deep" through "microfibre strips running in the liquid". In this way, dissolved dirt can be removed gently, gently and effectively. The completely dry board can be laid on and played back or archived immediately after the cleaning process.
Specifications LEVAR TWIN:
- Washing and vacuuming on both sides in one operation
- Static discharge by pivoting carbon fibre brush
- Simultaneous cleaning agent application from above and below at the touch of a button, the cleaning agent application can be dosed individually and manually (Liquid button)
- Change direction of rotation LEFT/RIGHT by pressing (Direction key)
- Suction at the touch of a button, individually controllable (vacuum button)
- Magnetic locking of the cleaners/suction arms
- Turn-/push clamping of the record by high-quality "tight" clamp: Secure label protection cover against liquid.
- Excellent manufacturing quality "Made in Germany".
- Solid, low resonance & insensitive 10mm package
- Low noise level in vacuum mode due to high-quality components and insulation
- Top side consisting of a solid and anodised aluminium cover plate
- Control elements made of stainless steel and practically intuitively operable "from above
- The record is placed on a small sub-plate the size of the label. Thus there is no danger of the already cleaned side of the record being soiled again by a plate.
- Separate fresh water tank made of aluminium for the cleaning liquid.
- The dirty water is emptied via a long drain hose which is suitable for practical use.
- Excellent manufacturing quality with proven long-life components
- 24 months warranty, manufacture in Germany
Scope of delivery LEVAR TWIN:
1 x 1 litre Eau LEVAR cleaning liquid
1 x pair of spare microfibre strips
1 x hopper for the cleaning liquid
1 x turn/press clamp made of solid aluminium
1 x Singlepuck
1 x microfibre cloth
1 x Allen key
1 x mains cable
1 x instruction Manual
Optional accessories for LEVAR TWIN:
Cover made of acrylic glass (not included in delivery, please order separately)
Technical specifications:
Dimensions: WxHxD 39,5 x 39,5 x 26 cm
Weight: approx. 18 kg
Voltage: 230 Volt (also 115 Volt available)
Max. Power consumption in operation: approx. 450 Watt
Tank capacity cleaner: approx. 400 ml
Tank capacity dirty water: approx. 500 ml/bleed hose
04 - Reviews & Testimonials
Test LEVAR TWIN / Fidelity Magazine 05/2019
Hans von Draminski / Short summary:
"So that it is not only clean, but pure! Forgive me the title borrowed from an old detergent advertisement - but on the simple and ingenious plate washing machine Levar Twin, it fits like a key into a lock. With this high-quality machine, which does its job nobly and quietly, it is definitely possible to bring even the dirtiest, most worn vinyl disc back into a playable condition.
You don't really need anything that doesn't exist in this machine.
It does without superfluous and meaningless gimmicks, but instead does its job with maximum precision and always remains very discreet in terms of both noise development and design, so that you can place it next to the machine to avoid long distances between the "washing station" and the plate turner.
Cleaning takes place simultaneously at the top and bottom, eliminating the otherwise annoying task of turning the plates over. Using brushes with microfibre strips, which have proven to be a perfect cleaning tool in practice, as they penetrate deep into the groove or flank. Groove cleaning as a sound booster - you experience what you would expect most from a consistent groove cleaning: a significant increase in detail, which also has an influence on microdynamics.
The operating elements are self-explanatory: the first button sets the plate in motion, the second changes the direction of rotation, the third ensures the spraying process with which the cleaning fluid is applied intermittently and the last button activates the extraction system. The mechanics seem to be built for eternity, the construction is rock solid.
If you like, you can experiment with different cleaning fluids. An alternative, for example, is the chemical-free "functional water" DEiNFORMER, also in the MHW AUDIO range, which has been used by everyone in the company for years. According to the manufacturer, DEiNFORMER removes all residues of previously used cleaning agents from the groove and thus releases the full tonal potential. Conclusion: The Levar Twin from MHW is a purchase for life. And an extremely delightful one at that." (Fidelity-Online / Hans von Draminski)
You can read the complete report here (German Version):
https://www.fidelity-magazin.de/2019/05/04/levar-twin-plattenwaschmaschine/
Test LEVAR TWIN / LP Magazine 2019 ( Best of LP - Award 2019 )
Holger Barske - Short summary:
"The finely crafted and well-manufactured plate washing machine for ambitious users. It washes both sides at once! The Levar Twin is one of the very few machines on the market that can clean both sides of the plate at the same time. During operation, both arm halves are magnetically pressed against each other, ensuring the necessary frictional connection between plate and machine. An advantage of this arrangement is that all possible plate sizes can be washed without further accessories. Whether seven, ten or twelve inches.
The Levar Twin is a machine designed for uncompromising functionality and durability. It looks attractive, coherent and reduced. Everything about the Twin makes an extremely robust and well thought-out impression.
During the cleaning process you have a few degrees of freedom - on average it works as follows: Put on the plate, clamp it with the puck and swivel the upper washing and suction arm over the plate. With light pressure on its base, the magnetic locking of both arms engages. The plate is set in motion by a "rotation" button, then the washing liquid is applied by a "liquid" button. How much is up to you, the plate should be evenly moistened. Now the actual cleaning process takes place, microfibre strips and liquid do their beneficial work.
If you are of the opinion that the cleanliness is enough done, you take the suction by "vacuum" button in enterprise. The associated turbine is properly soundproofed. After two to three revolutions the plate is dry, the antistatic arm is allowed to do its work and the procedure is completed.
The Levar Twin is probably the most uncompromising plate washing machine on the market. It cleans both sides, leaves the coordination of the washing process to you and is probably the most robust machine ever. A welcome addition to the range! The cleaning performance is excellent, I haven't found a case that I couldn't handle with the machine - and that's what counts in the end. The machine will provide you with faithful service for an unforeseeable period of time, that much is certain. (LP Magazine 2019 / Holger Barske)
You can read the complete report here:
https://www.hifitest.de/test/zubehoer_hifi/levar-twin_17880
LEVAR TWIN / IMAGE HIFI Magazine 2019
Eric van Spelde - Short summary:
"I could not have achieved such an improvement in my phono chain with an upgrade worth up to a few thousand euros.
The functional principle: Double-sided record washing machine with right and left rotation control of the turntable. The result was amazing. Not only was the intensity and number of crackling background noises enormously decimated. In fact, it now sounded as if a curtain, or at least a grey veil, had lifted over the musical event. The instruments not only sounded clearer, with percussive elements no longer drowning in the spacious guitar sound - the performance simply seemed more uninhibited, more "physical".  It was only now that the note "Very good +" was not only appropriate for the optical appearance of the record, but also for the playback quality without reservations.
Mostly there is a nice accumulation of residues from the production and packaging process on the record surface. The difference between the record freshly removed from the packaging and dedusted only with the (dust) brush on the running turntable and the same after cleaning and antistatic treatment with the Levar Twin was always clear: more clarity, a significantly lower lower dynamic threshold, a more "direct" and at the same time more relaxed sound and of course far less noise.
In the further course of the test, several dozen more records were transferred to the Levar Twin in an almost unplayed to rather worn condition. Among them was none that didn't clearly increase listening pleasure after washing the records. In fact, in-house tests have shown that the Twin cleans deeper than market-leading devices, despite the fact that none of the device's components have been reinvented. In addition, it is designed to be visually appealing and practical. ( Eric Von Spelde / Image Hifi 2019 )
You can read the complete report here:
https://image-hifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/image-hifi-1-19-levar-twin.pd
LEVAR TWIN / from Thomas T., Munich:
"One may hardly believe it, but in the course of the continuing vinyl boom record washing machines are no longer a gimmick for crazy analog freaks, but belong to the standard equipment of every halfway ambitious friend of the "black gold".
This has to do not only with the fact that there is a flourishing market for used vinyl (which often requires sustained care after purchase), but also with the fact that new presses are now often delivered in such a pitiful condition that thorough initial cleaning is unavoidable. Accordingly, the range of adequate cleaning aids has developed extensively and diversely in recent years.
With the LEVAR TWIN, MHW Audio (after some very successful years of distribution/sales of all manufacturer models on the market) presents its first own development.
One immediately notices that a great deal of practical experience and specialist know-how has gone into the product. What immediately stands out is the perfect workmanship of the machine. Everything fits and the finish is absolutely impeccable, which is due to the use of high-quality materials.
Unlike other concepts, the Levar Twin does not work the liquid into the plate surface with coarse carbon fibre or plastic brushes, but with microfibre strips, which definitely results in a better cleaning performance (right into the groove and down to the bottom of the groove).
Another decisive operating advantage of the Twin is its "name-giving" feature, namely that the front and back of the record are cleaned at the same time. The result of this extremely well thought-out design is a record that is perfectly washed on both sides in a matter of minutes and dried quickly and residue-free.
In order to eliminate any remaining static charges, an additional swivelling arm is attached, which - after the washing and drying work has been done - briefly expels the records in two or three revolutions through carbon fibre brushes on both sides.
With the Levar Twin, a plate washing machine has been designed that has been thought through down to the last detail and is technically perfect. So I like to entrust her with my vinyls." (5 stars, Thomas T. 02/19)
Further customer feedback & field reports / excerpts:
"The Levar Twin meets my expectations 100%, the handling is uncomplicated, the washing results excellent and for me the biggest advantage - the enormous time saving compared to other (price-same) machines. I particularly like the fact that the label stays dry. The workmanship and the materials used make a very high-quality impression on me. ( Udo K. 11/19 )
*
"LEVAR TWIN... first-class...! I myself search worldwide for records and buy only original welded records. Now it happened often or almost exclusively lately that I bought records (as said "originally welded") from the 70's and 80's. After unpacking and listening to these little "treasures" I almost fell off my "stool", because the whole records were full of jumps and cracks. It quickly became clear that there could most likely be no real mistakes in the pressing, because up to 9 jumps on one side and a lot of loud crackling seemed very unlikely for a new record or a pressing error.
So it could only be minimal, tiny deposits or paper fibres that had literally pressed into the grooves over decades of storage - and now lay firmly in there, as if glued (baked). Plates from this time, had mainly still cardboard inserts. So I ran with a fine plate brush and stroked or better cleaned infinite minutes over the plate, but nothing happened, no change. So I researched and came across a record washing machine for the first time. I was really very skeptical and the price of a very good machine was in a segment where you had to take a deep breath. After long consideration
and the love of music and records, I decided to buy one.
After the first contact with Mr. Dieter Molitor - from MHW Audio- and my described experiences, the conversation was by the way very nice and above all informative, I decided for the LEVAR TWIN with automatic functions but without programmed washing sequences.
After really intensive washing processes, I had the next experience. It really pushed me back into my listening position. All the crackling and jumping as well as 99% of the crackling noises had disappeared. Now the records really sounded like new.
I for my part am really absolutely satisfied and can really recommend this machine to every lover of record sound with such serious problems. For me now musical pleasure times break again, also away from the stage, on which I may already often stand as a professional musician. Every record is now washed before it reaches the plate."
(Andreas J. 11/19)
Plate washing with LEVAR TWIN:
"For this decision I was rewarded in the end, when the LEVAR TWIN
moved into my music room. From unpacking to setting up the record washing machine a pleasure. A processing quality and touch quality, as one can expect in this price range. Now I began to listen to my favourite discs, which were washed with the previous record washing machine, and then to wash them again with the LEVAR TWIN and listen to them again. Immediately you hear the sound gain and the slight background noises are gone. Just as it should be and the beauty of it is: You don't expect it. Most of the time I am rather skeptical, but I would give the LEVAR TWIN 6 stars, because this is not possible, 5 golden stars remain."
(Uwe G./ 06.01.2019)