Thumbs up for ultrasonic record cleaning

@slaw 

How does the 1:120 work (vs 1:40)? I have not tried it at lower than Fisher's 1:40 recommendation.

I do not use photo-flo. My goal is to leave nothing whatsoever on the surface of the record.

Thanks for mentioning the Versa-Clean. I just ordered it to compare to the mix of Everclear and Photo-flo that I’m using in my Elmasonic P. After a 20 minute ultrasonic bath I rinse/vac with distilled water and TergiKleen on a VPI 16.5. This evacuates and dries the LP so well that I don’t feel a need for more rinsing or steam.

@terry9,

Sorry for the delay. In terms of SQ, I cannot tell a difference. I do steam beforehand. I think my heroic pre-clean method needs to be a factor in my posted results here. I believe your "heroic" rinsing is still a big key in SQ after a US clean. I doubled the Versa-Clean after I wrote the post above to my latest water. I have not noticed any SQ differences.

After adding the Photo-Flo, I noticed a completely dry record after lifting it out of the bath and letting it spin for a very short time. I feel trying the additional steaming after the US cleaning is a waist of effort. I get a better SQ result from a warm rinse from my kitchen sink tap water/sprayer , then a rinse of distilled water, then a final distilled water rinse/vacuum on my VPI 16.5, the a De-Stat.

@bdp24 ,

I guess the appropriate discussion for music is elsewhere, but I agree with MF regarding the SQ= around an 8 on the PC lp which is alright.

@dgarretson ,

Let us know how the tergiclean vs. Versa-Clean works? Please?

I like the Kirmuss Audio cleaner because it uses a lower frequency (35Khz), lower temperature (95 degrees), common fluid (distilled water and a touch of alcohol), proper spacing for cleaning (Cleaner Vinyl Pro stack doesn’t permit cavitation bubbles to enter deep between records), does shellac 78s and 45s as well as 2 LPs at a time and cavitation to occur beneath and away from the records (not blasted at the surface like one $4500 machine). It doesn’t have scrubbing felt/brushes or other surfaces rather just a slight grip from lips to hold the record in place while it spins. It’s $800 for a fully finished machine. It does not dry but also doesn’t add static or dry dirt back to the surfaces.  Plus, the low cost of water/surfactant allows for no filtration and just refilling after a dozen washes.

Terry9-I think your method of US is using 10 C degree too hot water and 100% too high a cavitation frequency. Maybe that’s why you can’t hear the difference on 3-6 posting; however you state you did see and hear the difference using this method on 2-6 post.