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to buy or not to buy (ultrasonic record cleaner)

Hi Audiogoners,

So I have been considering investing in an ultrasonic record cleaning maching. Prob like some of you I question the ROI. So. I have a friend that purchased one and luckily he allowed me to take it for a spin (no pun intended).

I wanted to compare the results to my record cleaning system which is a Spin clean ($150) and a Record doctor record Vacuum ($300). I wont say what brand of ultrasonic cleaner I tested as not to disparage, or promote that brand publicly to be fair. if you want to know which one you can send me a private msg.

so to keep it simple I will let you judge for yourself. I have posted two pics taken with a USB microscope to my virtual systems page. Test1 and test 2. One of these pics was taken after cleaning with my system and the other with the ultrasonic cleaner

Can you tell which one is the ultrasonic??

should be intersting
barnettk
nhojaji428
2 posts
 
I have tried the ultrasonic bath in conjunction with anti-static treatment with high pressure filtered air, the result has been very promising. I am in process of building a prototype to make the process more automated as I have well over 600 records. I am using commercial anti-static rod equipped with high pressure air nozzles connected to both high voltage power supply and air tank with air filter and pressure regulator. If interested reach out to me in next few weeks for update.Have not seen anything like it maybe due to cost and complexity.Also in ultrasonic bath, I am using filtered pure water with no additive.
whart's avatar
whart
3,043 posts
 
Try the Monks brushes- they aren't goats hair but I have those and prefer the Monks for some things, unidirectional applicator for other things. Some of it comes down to how it applies and what you are trying to accomplish with the applicator. I've tried quite a few and everyone seems to have a preference. 
You might want to read some of Neil Antin's work on filtering. There's a whole lot to that area that was unknown to me starting with the specs and what an "absolute" rating means in terms of granularity. (I'm not a materials science so I'm sure there's a better way to describe that). 
barnettk OP
410 posts
 
So just to report back. I pulled the trigger on the degritter today. It’s on order so should have it soon. After all the research I have done this machine seems to offer what I am looking for. The price was a little over budget for this  purchase however I feel in the long run it is worth the money. Thanks for all the input guys it definitely helped to guide my decision. Looking forward to doing some cleaning and spinning. Happy listening 
barnettk OP
410 posts
 
@whart 

Speaking of brushes. I also ordered a Kirmuss brush. It was a little hard to find but I did find one at Elusive Disc. It’s boars hair and I like the way it feels in your hand. It seems to do a nice job. Nice and soft. I probably could have gotten by with a makeup brush as that is exactly what it feels like but I did not want the Long handle. 
whart's avatar
whart
3,043 posts
 
That would do certain things other brushes wouldn't. I could add one to the repertoire to try it. 
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