Playback Restoration for Vinyl Records — Cleaning, Relaxing & Flattening

This is not just record cleaning.

Each record is treated using the Record Restore process to remove contamination from within the groove—where noise and distortion originate—resulting in measurable improvements in playback clarity.

• Up to +11 dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio
• Up to −8 dB reduction in noise floor
• No loss of musical detail

Unlike fluid or ultrasonic cleaning systems, this process:

• Does not rely on scrubbing or brushing
• Does not use ultrasonic cavitation
• Does not redistribute contaminants

Instead:

• Contaminants are encapsulated
• Removed in a single layer
• Leaving no residue in the groove

Comprehensive Service

Features

• Records restored using the Record Restore extraction process
• Contaminants removed from within the groove—not just the surface
• Static eliminated following treatment and prevented from reoccurring
• No residue, coating, or film left in the groove
• No scrubbing or ultrasonic cavitation applied
• Each record treated individually for consistent results
• Optional sleeve replacement and cover repair

Options

• Choose to have cleaned records re-sleeved in high quality anti-static inner sleeves
• Choose to add new outer sleeves from our range of cast polypropylene (CPP) options for enhanced protection 
• Record Relaxing: the audiophile option. Record flattening and relaxing is a feature of the AFI FLAT.DUO Record Flattening machine is its Relax mode which tempers vinyl thereby improving clarity on playback 

How The Service Works

Step 1: place your order. A worksheet will be forwarded requesting details of the discs to be cleaned. A confirmation of order cost including freight will be issued.

Step 2: A specialist record shipping case will be forwarded to your nominated address. Key lockable, the case can hold up to 50 single albums. Alternatively, you may supply your own packaging. 

Step 3: Pack your records and notify us at sales@secretchordanalogue.au that the box is ready for collection. A shipping label will be forwarded to you to print and affix to the box.

Step 4: The box is collected from you by courier. We will confirm its receipt and an ETA on the job's return. 

Step 5: Records returned to customer; an invoice is issued for return of the job including the return shipping of the record shipping case to Secret Chord Analogue.

Special attention for Problem Records

Use the provided order form to indicate albums which are particularly noisy or have resisted alternative cleaning attempts at noise elimination

Flattening & Relaxing

The significant advantage of our record flattener, the FLAT.DUO, is its ability to relax the vinyl. Otherwise known as tempering, this process hardens the vinyl for improved playback performance while it flattens warps.

Sophisticated optimizations in the flattening process - from firmly fixed pressure rings on aluminium plates to an optimized contact pressure through torque control - enable optimum flattening pressure on the records. The remarkable side effect of these design details on the FLAT.DUO is that the records are heated evenly and quickly during the flattening process. This precise temperature control, made possible by lower temperature gradients and direct energy input, leads to noticeably improved flattening results.