Ultrasonic record cleaners

Haven't used one of these, but I was drawn to the Kuzma version. Somewhat cheaper, a lot more industrial looking, but can clean a number of LPs at the same time, which if speed of use and convenience is important....

 This item was favourably reviewed in HiFi+, which also liked the one you posted a picture of.

Thanks for that Kuzma link Nick, will take a look, but it seems one has to buy one's own bath and being utterly cack-handed, the idea of a kit is a bit intimidating...

Not really a kit, appropriate water baths are listed on the web-site.

I liked the idea that a number of LPs could be cleaned at the same time and that the important bit, the bath and ultrasonic 'head' unit is separate from the mechanism, just in case any bit goes wrong!

I could suggest that if the HiFi+ reviewer managed to use it, the system cannot be that hard to set up.

Have you had a look at the Keith Monks Discovery One. Very good machine, and has the automatic stop so no need to wait for it to finish. I'm just about to order one myself. 

Got an extra £400 to spend on vinyl then. 

I just took delivery of a Loricraft PRC4! 

Havent had a chance to use it yet but it is a lovely piece of kit - all hand made and it is really nice to support a small company like this. However, it is rather large and requires a more hands on manual approach so might not suit your needs so much. 

I am planning to take it for a spin this evening.....

Sten posted:

I just took delivery of a Loricraft PRC4! 

Havent had a chance to use it yet but it is a lovely piece of kit - all hand made and it is really nice to support a small company like this. However, it is rather large and requires a more hands on manual approach so might not suit your needs so much. 

I am planning to take it for a spin this evening.....

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I'd love to hear how you get on with it, I have looked at these also. 

Sten posted:

I just took delivery of a Loricraft PRC4! 

Havent had a chance to use it yet but it is a lovely piece of kit - all hand made and it is really nice to support a small company like this. However, it is rather large and requires a more hands on manual approach so might not suit your needs so much. 

I am planning to take it for a spin this evening.....

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i have had one for about 3 years now i think. its a lovely machine -- 'does what it says on the tin',  if a bit 'manual', so i tend to batch the records i want to clean when i am in the mood to do that. it is well made and i got good support from the makers.

enjoy

ken

Kevin, there is an ADS being demoed at the Heathrow vinyl show next month I believe. The ads say you can bring a record along to have cleaned which may be of interest if you are nearby.

cheers

Paul

Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus posted:

Kevin, there is an ADS being demoed at the Heathrow vinyl show next month I believe. The ads say you can bring a record along to have cleaned which may be of interest if you are nearby.

cheers

Paul

I live in Saarf Lundun, Cletus, so getting to the Heathrow show is pretty easy. I think I may well take up that offer - thanks very much for the heads up!

K

What happened, Kev? Didn't that trip to Steve(J) convince you to buy a Keith Monks? 

Tony2011 posted:

What happened, Kev? Didn't that trip to Steve(J) convince you to buy a Keith Monks? 

I was very impressed Tony, and my visit to Dr Blues completely won me over to the idea of buying the very best RCM I could afford, but a Monks (apart from the Discovery One) was/is a grand or more above my budget. I also like the idea of a small and automated machine like the ADS.

Kevin-W posted:

Tony2011 posted:

What happened, Kev? Didn't that trip to Steve(J) convince you to buy a Keith Monks? 

I was very impressed Tony, and my visit to Dr Blues completely won me over to the idea of buying the very best RCM I could afford, but a Monks (apart from the Discovery One) was/is a grand or more above my budget. I also like the idea of a small and automated machine like the ADS.

That's Cool, Kev. I wish you all the luck in your quest.

I have been using an Audio Desk cleaning machine for over a year and I'm very happy with it. 

I tested the Audio Desk at a shop and decided to keep my Loricraft as I thought it did a better job (though it is quite a bit more effort).

Kevin.

I buy a lot of previously loved (or not) records from auctions or charity shops, quite a few are not only dusty but covered with greasy/oily finger marks/stains. I use a Moth (with ear protectors) and find if I don't use a cleaning solution that dissolves the grease/oil, the record isn't cleaned completely. Isopropyl based solution works a treat, but a Biofuel based solution just doesn't work at all. Although probably fine for cleaning relatively clean record.

I can see an ultra sonic cleaner is ideal for removing dirt trapped deep in the grooves, but how well will it cope with grease and oil.

Like you, I’m both sensitive to the benefits of giving records a proper clean, and averse to the kerfuffle of regular wet cleaning. About a year and a half ago, I visited my dealer, who had an ADS on dem. In his view, it bested the Loricraft, which was previously the best RCM he had used. I gave it a try with a couple of my records. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by the results. Neither record was especially dirty, yet both came back with a fair amount of residual noise. And with the possible exception of a slight improvement in detail, I didn’t perceive much of the sonic uplift that’s a common outcome of wet cleaning.

I remain hopeful that there’s a record cleaning system out there that’s (i) as good as or better than my current convoluted PITA procedure and (ii) way more convenient, so that I’ll actually do it more often. Thus far, ultrasonic cleaning appears not to be that system. But I’m keeping an open mind, and will try it again in the future. After all, that one test may have been flawed e.g. the fluid might have been dirty, or the machine not set up properly, etc.

If you do get to try an ADS, please post your findings here.

Hi,

I bought the updated Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner PRO about 6 weeks ago and have so far cleaned about 600 LPs with it.  As you can clean records while you go about other things, its very convenient.

There is a bit of technique to setting it into operation but only takes a few goes to perfect.

Most of the records I have cleaned so far have been newly purchased second hand classical, generally 1950s and 1960s.  Most have been well looked after, very few visible surface scratches but often quite dusty/dirty.  The before and after for these are usually huge.

Although I have not compared it with other machines, the results are very impressive.  The records look spotless on completion and seem to be devoid of any static, subsequent dust particles that land on the record can simply be blown off with ease.

Some records, mainly those I bought from new in the 60s and 70s have retained a fair amount of background noise after cleaning and no amount of further cleaning improve the situation.  From this I deduce two things; first that these records have physical imperfections that simply can not be "cleaned out", possibly a consequence of bad manufacture or my lack of care back then, and secondly that the basic one minute ultrasonic clean followed by the five minute drying cycle does a VERY good job.

FATCAT's comment about grease and oil are dealt with by the Audio Desk cleaning solution that is added to the distilled water.  This seems to contain some form of detergent to break down this oil.

Overall I am very happy with the Audio Desk.

Paul.

Kevin-W posted:

Tony2011 posted:

What happened, Kev? Didn't that trip to Steve(J) convince you to buy a Keith Monks? 

I was very impressed Tony, and my visit to Dr Blues completely won me over to the idea of buying the very best RCM I could afford, but a Monks (apart from the Discovery One) was/is a grand or more above my budget. I also like the idea of a small and automated machine like the ADS.

Hi K,  been away for a few days. Just seen your Brighton buys looks like you snagged some beauties. I made a New Years Resalution to my self that when my sudscription came to an end with Music Mattes for there 33rpm  Blue Note reissues I will not be buying reissueed vinyl again. if I cannot find the originals I will pass I have enough brillent vinyl as you do to keep me going for a long time. I will be very interested in your views on the AD. By the way Dr blues has not been around these parts much lately to talk you into a KM.

@ Tony I know you are a S400 fan.. I have a pair on audition over Easter so far very impressed but will depend on a good deal from the dealer..

Take care Graham. 

I've had the Audio Desk cleaner for about 18 months now, and have cleaned hundreds of LPs - some vintage mid-1960s that sat in a damp basement for 30 years - with it.  It has been reliable, dead simple to use, and extremely effective, even on mold.  Not only does a lot of the snap, crackle & pops disappear, but often overall clarity, soundstage, and deep bass get better as well, even with brand new LPs.

The only negatives I can think of (beside cost) are that the original model takes 8-10 minutes per LP to do a thorough (5 minute wash) job, and the drying cycle is LOUD.  I'd recommend that if at all possible purchase the new model which is supposed to be a little faster but much quieter.

Thanks for the input everyone - I will be auditioning the ADS, either by going to the Stylus show and taking up the "free clean" offer or getting a few LPs ultrasonically  cleaned by the dealers who offer the service. Will report back on findings, and if I do dive in, I will let you all know what I think.

Were I really keen on getting an ultrasonic cleaner, I'd at least investigate the Ultrasonic V-8 before going for the Audio Desk: cleans 8 records at once, lower price.

Blimey does the Ultrasonic really have a V8 under the hood. Must be one hell of an ultrasonic cleaner, but a poor carbon footprint I would suggest.

Well after investigation, and with some advice from Stephen from the UK distributor; and playing some LPs "before and after" the Audiodesk treatment, I finally bought this machine (one of the new Pro models, in black). It will be delivered on Friday and will report back in more detail if anyone's interested.

A bit late now then.

I took a couple of records over to an AD dealer in aldermaston just over a year ago to try one out. One I've had for years (King Crimsom, Lizard, bought in 1979), quite noisy to play even after cleaning on my VPI with 25% 2-propanol(aq) a couple of years ago and one I bought from Oxfam (some Berwald quartets) more recently that, dispite cleaning several times on my VPI with the IPA mix and when that failed pre soaking with aqueous detergent before a final 25% IPA wrinse, still left a mat on the stylus of my 17D3 if I tried to play it.

The Oxfam record went straight in the AD on arrival and we played  the KC album so I could hear the demo system  (a Clearaudio TT, arm and cart but I forget the rest of the system) on an album I consider still playable if a little noisy. We then put the Berwald on while cleaning the KC and it went right through with barely a pop and left a clean stylus. The KC followed and I struggled to hear much difference. I'd neglected to bring any bungies with me to secure the cleaner to the back of Guzzi so couldn't take one home on the spot but said I'd come and pick it up next day. When I got home I played both records again, with a 17D3. The Clearaudio stylus evidently rides higher in the groove as the Berwald still sounded like frying eggs and again left a mat on the stylus and, with a newly cleaned stylus, the KC left a slight greasy coating so I cancelled on the deal. It might be the amount of muck left in the cleaning fluid by the reviewer was more than would normally build up but I was a little unconvinced by the blow dry as opposed to suction so left it alone.

I got the Berwald disc clean in the end with an Enzyme cleaner from Nitty Gritty used on my VPI and followed by the usual 25% IPA.

Congratulations Kevin!  The new model AD looks like a nice step up. If my Nitty Gritty Evers dies, I will definitely consider getting one. Looking forward to hearing how it works out for you.

ATB.

Hook