LP flattener

[joeling]

I am looking for a record / LP flattener. Any recommendations ? Looking to flattern slightly warped records.

I have no experience in this regards. Bought a cheapish one but ended up destroyting the LP that I was trying to save partly due to my own impatience. So, need a 'press one button' solution.

I see this :

1) https://afi-record-flattener.com/ - AFI, a brand I am unfamiliar with

2) https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/...0RumqrpjbJrVOTPvRvd3GX6cHGu3zSjAaAt5OEALw_wcB - Orb branded one

3) There is also a Furutech one

Which is works the best ?

Thanks.

 

[XV-1]

I have owned an Orb DF-02 for ova 10 years. These best piece of hifi I have bought.
Works faultlessly.

BTW, Orb also manufacture all the Fururech flatteners and rebadge them.

 

[djsina2]

Orb is a must have.

 

[joeling]

Thanks all

 

[rDin]

I have owned an Orb DF-02 for ova 10 years. These best piece of hifi I have bought.

Same. Depressing the amount of records I have to run through it! Any amount of dish and in it goes Also provide the service for friends.

One benefit is that you can sometimes find minty warped records sold cheaply and flatten them - minty because nobody could play them...

 

[Zeotrope]

I am looking for a record / LP flattener. Any recommendations ? Looking to flattern slightly warped records.

I have no experience in this regards. Bought a cheapish one but ended up destroyting the LP that I was trying to save partly due to my own impatience. So, need a 'press one button' solution.

I see this :

1) https://afi-record-flattener.com/ - AFI, a brand I am unfamiliar with

2) https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/...0RumqrpjbJrVOTPvRvd3GX6cHGu3zSjAaAt5OEALw_wcB - Orb branded one

3) There is also a Furutech one

Which is works the best ?

Thanks.

I just ordered the AFI - all reviews are very positive and I’m especially intrigued by the “Relax” mode.
I have the ORB DF-01 and I have not been impressed. That said, it was a lot less expensive than the AFI.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I just ordered the AFI - all reviews are very positive and I’m especially intrigued by the “Relax” mode.
I have the ORB DF-01 and I have not been impressed. That said, it was a lot less expensive than the AFI.

Your issues with the Orb? The AFI is almost 3x the price, 4x if I get the Orb direct from Japan.

 

[mtemur]

I just ordered the AFI - all reviews are very positive and I’m especially intrigued by the “Relax” mode.
I have the ORB DF-01 and I have not been impressed. That said, it was a lot less expensive than the AFI.

I bought ORB DF-01iA last week and waiting it to be delivered. I would like to know what was the issue that you’re experiencing with it.

 

[Zeotrope]

Your issues with the Orb? The AFI is almost 3x the price, 4x if I get the Orb direct from Japan.

More than half the time it didn’t work! Even minor warps not removed.
I don’t have the model with the edge guard attachment, and I never understood which of my records have the guard or don’t. I also read that you should not latch the lid when in use, others say the opposite…
I find it works about 10-25% of the time. On a couple of occasions the Orb destroyed the record.

 

[djsina2]

More than half the time it didn’t work! Even minor warps not removed.
I don’t have the model with the edge guard attachment, and I never understood which of my records have the guard or don’t. I also read that you should not latch the lid when in use, others say the opposite…
I find it works about 10-25% of the time. On a couple of occasions the Orb destroyed the record.

Instructions say don’t latch. What’s your process? Some records won’t flatten but it’s a small number for me, maybe less than 5%. Also I would suggest with colored vinyl or older thin vinyl to use Low and only for 30-60 min.

 

[Zeotrope]

Instructions say don’t latch. What’s your process? Some records won’t flatten but it’s a small number for me, maybe less than 5%. Also I would suggest with colored vinyl or older thin vinyl to use Low and only for 30-60 min.

I followed the instructions exactly… not sure why it doesn’t really work for me.

 

[rDin]

Been using the Orb for three+ years now. Probably 100+ records through it, if not more. Works 99% of the time. Couldn't live without a flattener.

Even better - I've deliberately bought some warped records where I was struggling to find a clean original - flattened the warped record, which I was gambling on never having been played, and hey presto - minty OG

 

[rDin]

I don’t have the model with the edge guard attachment, and I never understood which of my records have the guard or don’t.

Just pinch the edge of the record - if it has a raised edge, that's the edge guard (most common). If the record is perfectly flat at the edges it has no edge guard.

 

[rDin]

On a couple of occasions the Orb destroyed the record.

Never had that happen. Worst thing is I've fumbled a record and put spindle marks onto the label.

I wonder if your model is functioning correctly?

I just use LOW mode for the first pass. Nearly always works. If that doesn't, I'll go to MEDIUM heat. Very rarely, and always a last resort, I'll use HIGH heat mode.

 

[spiritofmusic]

What is the "resting" function in the AFI?
Is it the mechanical equivalent of effectively doing nothing, while charging 2.5x more for the privilege than the Orb?

 

[Zeotrope]

What is the "resting" function in the AFI?
Is it the mechanical equivalent of effectively doing nothing, while charging 2.5x more for the privilege than the Orb?

Actually, not at all. Science behind why Relax mode makes complete sense. Read the reviews. Inventor has a Phd in Chemistry.

AFI flat. Record Flattener - Reviews

Reviews of AFI flat record flattener

afi-record-flattener.com

 

[Zeotrope]

Just pinch the edge of the record - if it has a raised edge, that's the edge guard (most common). If the record is perfectly flat at the edges it has no edge guard.

So I can only use my Orb if the record has the edge guard. Most of my records don’t. I guess that’s the issue. Always thought that was a lame design choice. No such limitation with the AFI. You put it in and it works.

 

[spiritofmusic]

What is "raised edge"?
New one on me.

 

[djsina2]

So I can only use my Orb if the record has the edge guard. Most of my records don’t. I guess that’s the issue. Always thought that was a lame design choice. No such limitation with the AFI. You put it in and it works.

Are you sure? What’s in your collection? Put the record into a thin sleeve. Pinch the record an inch or so in and slide your fingers to the edge of the record. If you feel a bump right before your fingers come off the record it has groove guard. As I understand it not having groove guard is rare.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Anyone here decided *not* to spend big and go for the $250 Record Pi (prev Record Flat)?