2. analog
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no looking back

I posted earlier about an ultrasonic cleaner advertised in the equipment sections. I also caught up on several threads on this forum and other audio forums. I was intrigued as I had just picked up an old 60's collection that needed a lot of TLC. I had used my DIY vacuum system and steaming previously with good success. I had also recently bortowed a friends Loricraft and was really pleased with it and had been looking like i would go that route or Keith monks cleaner. However the Ultrasound process seemed simple so i wanted to see what was out there. On a whim, i picked up a Bransonic Ultrasound bath from ebay and tried it today. Its a real manual system, but it would let me know if it was worth pursuing. The first record i tried was a beat up Salty Dog from Procol Harum (hard to get a clean copy). it came out clean but had a couple of hard deposits on it. I worked with those spots and cleaned again. Then i popped it on my table and i was pretty impressed. This was just a straight cold water bath. I then moved to a full cleaning solution at 120 degrees (My usual mix of Distilled water, Isopropyl, Surfactant, and Dispersants). I cleaned a Stone Poneys, Surrealistic Pillow, and the Salty dog again at the same time. Took about 10 mins to clean, rinse and dry. Popped it back on the table and wow. The Salty dog had a little fuzz (looks like surface noise) but the Stone Poneys, and Pillow sounded like right out of the album. I really couldnt believe how quiet. After playing both albums, no sign of any trash on the stylus and upon magnification with a jeweler glass, the grooves appear to be very clean. Now the only decision is whether to get the commercial one (ie audiodesk, etc) or build a DIY. However, my vacuum and Steamer is now retired.
oilmanmojo
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,460 posts
 
i'm not that careful about cleaning my records...don't see the need. The system sounds great as is
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Kinda agree with Stringreen, not for technical reasons, but out of sheer laziness. When I use the vinyl side of my rig, I swipe the record with a carbon fiber brush that "seems" (??) to pick up a lot of dust. I also use a soft carbon fiber brush to swipe the stylus on each record play. That's as much OCD as I can do on a steady basis. Incidentally, I own a VPI 16.5 RCM, but haven't used it in over a year. Too much of a PITA.

Having said that, if there was a "reasonably" (??) priced ultrasonic cleaning machine that also dried the record(s), I might get interested in doing a better job. But honestly, all that fuss with cleaning solutions, vacuum dryers and so forth, just wrecks the fun -- for me at least. Just my humble opinion.
lewm
12,978 posts
 
Stringreen, Unless you buy only brand new LPs and your collection consists solely of LPs you bought new over the years, I am astonished to learn that you "see no need" to clean LPs. Maybe the operative word is "carefully". If you buy used LPs, try playing one before vs after a good cleaning with a competent machine of any kind. If you do that, you will appreciate the need for it. (Actually, even some brand new LPs benefit from a cleaning.)

Another way in which I appreciate the need for cleaning is to look at the effluent from the tank in my VPI HW17, the fluid containing debris and dirt that has been sucked off of used LPs, is filthy.
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
Raul
It was a Bransonic 32. its an older model but has the perfect bath size for lps. It is unheated and 150 watts of Ultrasonic power (40 KHZ). It only cost 150 dollars.
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
Swampwalker
I used my usual brew for the test i did. That mix is distilled water, 10-15% isopropyl alcohol, 1 oz of Triton x100 surfactant (kodak photo flo is very similar) and small amount of dawn dishwashing detergent (my dispersant). I have used an industrial Surfactant/dispersant from my oil refinery (a Nalco or Champion chemical mix) but found the triton/dawn mix is very close and easier. The amount of dawn was about 1 teaspoon in a gallon of water.
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