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I'm about to make up my mind to get an ultrasonic record cleaning machine from UltrasonicRecords. com. It's made in the USA, seems simple enough to use and not require much maintenance and is far less expensive than the competition. Anybody have any experience with this unit?
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You may also want to see the US thread on diyaudio.
I think the price on the Ultrasonic Record unit is $1500.+/-. I'll use my Spin Clean for first cleaning on really dirty records and dry records on my Record Doctor (first putting new felt lips on it). Since the Ultrasonic Record cleaner cleans 8 at a time several can be cleaned at a sitting.
Edits: 03/28/15
I have heard records cleaned on a commercial ultrasonic cleaner and I thought the results I get, and I use a similar arrangement as Jack, sounded just as good/clean. While I would love it if the ultrasonic cleaners did a better job than using a Spin Clean, that wasn't the case I heard. Of course YMMV, but I have found the Spin Clean with a record vacuum step to give excellent results....
Gulp!I guess if you are REALLY against doing any DIY and the expense is painless relative to your income...OK. But there are many much cheaper solutions out there that are getting good write-ups. There's a whole thread on audiokarma. You essentially buy the parts separately to make the machine.
I'm about to pull the trigger on it myself. Total cost is under $500 (some enterprising individuals do it for much less) if you don't do any real DIY.
Not knocking it... just saying to really do some research on options. If I felt I had to Spin Clean or anything else after (or before) using a 1500 machine, I would be very upset.
And as far as any ultrasonic "removing" or affecting high frequencies... proof proof proof please. Microscopic proof of changes in the grooves after cleaning. Electronic signature proof. Something besides.. "That's what they say."
Edits: 03/29/15
MannyE, which brand and model machine are you using for you diy project?
Thanks,
David
Not 100% on the actual cleaner tub yet. I'm waiting to see how the AKers who are just now building and using them report back. AT this point there are a few already enjoying the benefits and posting good reviews but there have been some failures of the actual cleaning tub.
Apparently after about 1000 LPs cleaned someone's tub died, but I'm going from memory here so I don't have any specifics (or I could be completely wrong). The rotating part is the Vinyl Stack Ultra Sonic Spin Kit, which used to be on ebay for 200ish dollars but I can't find it now. They have a youtube video with an email.
All in with a 10L ultrasonic tub (8 LPs at once) I think it should cost just around 500 bucks. Which isn't cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but if it give the results everyone is so excited about, then it may well be worth it.
Thanks for the reply. I think the Ultrasonicrecords' machine uses this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171055326595?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
It goes for $420 but is on sale for $380 for the next 21 hours. Free shipping too! Is this the one?
Regards,
David
"Something besides.. 'That's what they say.'"
I guess it's all about who "they" is!
the freaking Kings of Siam. Without some visible proof of damage it's just a story. Like Bigfoot.
The whole secret to get best sound from cavitation cleaning is in the contactless drying process.
How does this work? Wouldn't air drying leave something on the disk?
I clean records with a wiping cloth, a blower bulb and a brush - a lot of work and slow. I buy mostly use records; they are always dirty.
I will say I'm a skeptic of ultrasonic and a skeptic of record cleaning machines (RCM, vacuuum). That's upfront.
You say you are shopping and have priced ultrasonic machines. Well, why not give the prices you have found? You have them in mind already. It would make sense and complete your post. Are you also buying and intending the ultrasonic for used records?
(grumpy)
Why on earth wouldn't he use it for used (& dirty) records? (With US cleaners you replace the fluid every few cycles - or (better) it has a pump and a filter.)
Andy
Andy and Jack D II - Yeah, I was expecting that a record cleaning machine would be most likely intended for second hand records. I was just saying some background info would make sense. You have many old, uncleaned records... You have old records and sink washing (or otherwise) has been unsatisfactory... You hope ultrasonic does better than X...
Good point, escapist, I totally agree.
Alexis
The machine you are looking at gets the job done. I have records that were cleaned on it, as well as ones that were cleaned on the Audio Desk Syteme machine. The less costly one does a good job. The main difference between the two is that the German machine delivers results that appear a bit more polished and shiny looking.
Every record we bring to a show to play on the Saskia turntable has been cleaned with an ultrasonic machine. I wouldn't risk doing that, if there was a chance that high frequencies were affected because it is our job to put our best foot forward at shows. Ultrasonics can breathe new life into records.
You will most certainly be happy with the results.
I'm told HW also uses LPs to demonstrate TTs.
He also sells RCMs.
Before you consider additional snide remarks about an industry colleague, you may want to read what he has to say and the evidence he offers. He is NOT promoting his machines; he says the US does a far better job at cleaning.
But as far as loss of high frequencies are concerned, you might also want to review "Cavitation Erosion" at the link given.
What I got out of it was that an 80KHz transducer should be fine. :-))
Regards,
Andy
If you find an 80 kHz 9 liter one at a reasonable price, let us all know.
Edits: 03/29/15
Before you go ultrasonic, you may want to read HW's extensive thread on the VPI forum discussing ultrasonic and other cleaners. Bottom line is that he likes the ultrasonics a lot, but maintains that ultrasonic destroys some of the high frequencies.In any event there's a lot of information there.
You can also read about devices being made to be used with inexpensive machines off eBay. You can save quite a bit.
Edits: 03/28/15
Can you give us a link to Harry's posts on Ultrasonic cleaners...VPI forum is tough to search.
Thanks
Thanks for taking the time.
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