Chisto Easy Groove & Hi-End Show Gloss
Is it possible to improve the sound in five seconds? I once reviewed Chisto's Black Analoguer and Disc Analoguer, and was pleased with the results: they factually reduced the statics all over my system as you can raed here. This time the chief editor asked me to review Chisto's two follow up products, Easy Groove and Hi-End Show Gloss, propably because he knows that I love making different experiments and I don't bother myself with all kinds of prejudices other reviewers may suffer from.
Easy Groove (100 ml natural liquid bottle) is for cleaning all types of records from LP to 78 RPM shellacs. It is meant to be a quick and convenient way to keep records in good condition and prolong the lifespan of the cartridge. Chisto recommends to treat even brand new records to remove MRA (mould release agent) from the grooves.
Easy Groove is applied by spraying it on a record surface. If desired, Easy Groove can be activated with the included Chisto Duster. The liquid is wiped off counterclockwise with the included ultra-fine microfiber silk (washable and reusable) until the disc is dry, then repeated on the other side (before storing the disc in antistatic sleeves). That's it.
I have to confess that I had some reservations about using the Easy Groove, not because of the Easy Groove itself but because I have some bad experiences of applying liquids on a vinyl surface. At one point I tried many Lenco style liquids and as a result several vinyls were distroyed.
So what I do nowadays is that I first wash my vinyls with ultrasonics, old ones especially and used new ones regularly. I then put them into the Acoustic Revive's vinyl demagnetizer and ionizer. The difference is not hard to hear. Just recently I bought a bunch of dirty 45 jazz singles, and now I own decent or luxurious vinyls for the rest of my life. Thus, I dont believe in miracles in cleaning vinyls. It is hard and rewarding work.
Anyway, as far as I can judge Easy Groove seems harmelessly neutral, and it doesn't cost several thousands of euros like my cleaning devices. Plus it can always be applied, as I did, to the centres of the vinyls while playing them, to reduce statics. Easy Groove worked well in that capacity. A drop of distilled water (which has to be one of the basic elements here too) would probably work to the same effect but I didn't compare.
Hi-End Show Gloss (100 ml natural liquid bottle) is for cleaning all audio/video gear from amplifiers and receivers to large HD screens (increases optical resolution of HD screen surface). 2-3 sprays to the microfiber cloth and then gently wipe the device until clean. Can be polished with the included Evolon cloth if necessary. Chisto recommends to repeat the application in 2-3 weeks.
While writing this review I used Show Gloss to my iMac's big screen and guess what, it worked really well. I will now clean my other macs as well. But the story gets more interesting. Chisto's products like the Show Gloss reduce overall statics of the system as well. I sprayed my iMac, all the visible cables and DACs etc. being extra careful NOT TO SPRAY parts that lead to wall outlets, etc. This time too, the subjective effect was immediate.
As I mentioned in my earlier review of Christo products, one really can, mysterious as it may sound, improve the sound quality in five seconds by spraying the whole set with an anti-static liquid like this. I have tried even simpler products such as Pled or Softcare, which are meant for cloths after laundry. They all work for a certain period time, from 30 minutes to an hour.
To conclude. I'd still recommend, if possible, to wash the vinyls in a proper way (with a dedicated device) and only secondly to use other means, but then try different anti-static liquids to the cables and sets, where I know Chisto's products can generate really positive results. Experimenting is always fun and if everything goes well it may raise your system on another level or lead to new ideas about how to improve the system.