Kl Audio LP200 ultrasonic record cleaner insights


I did a bit of research a few months ago on the Audio Desk ultrasonic cleaner and thats where I found out about the KL Audio CLN LP200unit. I was attracted to the much more powerful motor, no rollers to replace and using distilled water rather than a cleaner.

Let me start that I have a Loricraft and used the Walker 4 step program but shortened it to a clean\rinse setup. Still ten undivided minutes of your time a side to clean. After a while I didnt bother with mint or new records.

Table Galibier Gavia, Triplanar Arm, Zyx Universe cartridge

I have quckly and efficiently cleaned more records in 3 weeks than I have for the three years I have had the Loricraft. And it was hardly an inconvienance, not a major chore

I have cleaned a number of Walker\Loricraft records again with the KL Audio. The results are jaw dropping. Dead quiet, no static pops (sometimes dont even zerostat). The biggest issue is resolution, getting down and removing that last bit of material and the resolution, body, separation of instruments, timing, passion and air around the notes is enhanced. Modest pressing sound like audiophile. I have ran into a few noisy records, probably dug out by the last stylus but most everything else has been so overwhelming. Low level detail is to die for.

The machine is a tank. Everything impeccably manufacturered. You can set the ultrasonic to 1-5 minutes and the drying 2-4 minutes I spit out a record every 5 minutes while I watch tv from the next room. It drys very effectively but isnt that loud

This machine is not cheap at $4k but what it does is like a very serious component upgrade. Highly recommended for someone with a serious vinyl collection and setup
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I bought a KLaudio earlier this year and I can't say I have experienced it’s superior cleaning ability as all of you have. When the first unit arrived, I followed the instructions carefully and filled it with distilled water. A few moments later I stepped into water on the floor, then I noticed that everything on the kitchen counter was soaking wet. I took the unit over the kitchen sink and notice it was leaking from the reservoir screw. I tried to remove the screw but to no avail. I took it back to the dealer. Several weeks later a new KLaudio arrived. This times no leaks. I have done before and after cleaning tests with KLaudio vs Spin Clean vs Nitty Gritty vs Manual “under the sink “cleaning; and I can't say definitively that Klaudio is superior. In each test case, after using the Klaudio, I still hear the clicks and pops just as before. Klaudio did not make a difference to me. I conducted each test with records that has no visible scratches, and was previously cleaned. I also tested records just purchased from the used record store. Still could not hear a difference using the Klaudio and the other cleaning methods. I also examined the Klaudio carefully to see if it was making bubbles in the water. I noticed that the bubbles were only on the left side of reservoir (facing the Klaudio), I don't know what that means. Please look at your Klaudio and tell me where the bubbles are concentrated.
I am not knocking Klaudio, I am just stating my experience. I will continue to use it and see if I am leaving out something.
Almandog, hmm that is very strange. The only thing I can think of is that the ultrasound may not be engaging. Did the machine make a loud buzzing noise? Once you put the LP in, you will hear the water pump working for few seconds filling in the water then ultrasonic will engage. One of my friend's unit had a strange problem in that he only had a low pitch buzzing noise instead of the usual high pitch buzzing noise and the LP was not really cleaned at all. All he had to do was unplugged the machine for half a minute or so to let the machine reset itself then everything was ok. If you have an annoying loud high pitch buzzing sound that you can hear from another room then the unit should be functioning properly.
The result for me was very obvious. Even after cleaning the LP with various fluid on conventional vaccuum machine, I consistantly get great result with KL. Unfortunately some ticks and pops are really from groove damage even if it is not visible with your eyes and there is no cleaning machine that will fix that.
I completely endorse Suteetat's comments. I have had my KLAudio for over 6 months and yes it does not remove every pop and crackle but the results I am getting are way superior to the Loricraft PRC 4 dlx I had earlier. For stubborn records I do a manual clean with an enzyme cleaner followed by a few whirls in a Spinclean and then a 5 min cycle in the KL. I can say with confidence this is the cleanest my vinyl has sounded in a decade.
Try unplugging the unit to see if you are getting the loud whooshing sound when the ultra sonic engages.
Best
Still could not hear a difference using the Klaudio and the other cleaning methods. I also examined the Klaudio carefully to see if it was making bubbles in the water. I noticed that the bubbles were only on the left side of reservoir (facing the Klaudio), I don't know what that means. Please look at your Klaudio and tell me where the bubbles are concentrated.

Probably you are right and the Klaudio can not do an improvement. Loricraft is a point nozzle design (or Keith Monks) and is very good.
Did you check your Diamond? Is it really clean? When there is gunk on it, it will reduce resolution drastically. There are also differences in the construction of the diamonds, some go deeper into the groove, some not. Some records have some gunk deep at their bottom, some not.
I think, the bubbles at the left side are not important, there is the water reservoir and when the cleaning starts, a part of it is pumped to the right side where the ultrasonic motors are. When the record is wet and you hear the buzz then it is working properly. The bubbles on the left side come from time to time when the water from the right side is pumped back to the left side.
Clicks and pops can have 3 reasons
a, dirt
b, pressing material from the process in the groove (reissues have that normally)
and
c, damage at the side walls from the grooves based on wrong cartridge adjustment, wrong VTF and some more reasons.

a, this can be solved with machines for 100%,
b, mainly no big hope, here nothing will really help, such a record will get clean sometimes but it is normally a minority
c, no hope. except a "primitive" cartridge with a round diamond (it can hide it)

Generally we can say, any cleaning can be done good/better/best when the record WAS perfect and later came dirt, smoke, coke, fat finger tips etc. into the grooves. That can be removed for 100%. But something from a melting process or defect carts ... here will the story of cleaning find an end. A lot of reissues are made with very soft vinyl, they are super sensitive to everything, records from the 80's for example are best of best, even with 60 or 80gr. Noise can also grow when someone used alcohol for cleaning, this can make the grooves dry and the noise will be endless.
Thanks for your comments.
I am using VPI Classic 3 TT with Ortofon Rondo Bronze cartridge. I clean it very often when I am listening. On the Klaudio, I do hear the loud buzzing sound from it while I am in another room. I even hear it with the door closed. I have started to do I preclean with Spinrite, before cleaning with Klaudio. I will take all your tips into consideration while I clean records next time. I will go to a record sale next weekend and get some more records. I will report back. Like I said before, I am not knocking Klaudio I just want to be sure that I get the most out of it.