Humminguru record cleaner
Almost all of my records are in NM condition, so I didn’t think I needed a record cleaner to replace my VPI 16.5. Also, my record surfaces are virtually silent.. But I was intrigued by the ultrasonic cleaners out there. So I bought one with the probability of a return. The results are amazing. This device cleans the records so well it’s like adding a new component to my system. And it’s only $500. With my already clean records I didn’t need the Degritter which is several times more expensive.
I recommend it highly.
@aberyclark been a little while since I had it. I didn't have it very long. I liked what it did more than my VPI, so that's a high endorsement. Since I liked the result so much I went for a DG. I just recall it seemed a bit more finicky. Record fits into the cleaning slot much nicer/tighter on DG, process is a lot smoother. Again, HG is a fine machine at the price point. I recommend it. Not everybody wants to spend the $$$ on DG for similar results
|
@lewm Though just to be confusing, what you say is perfectly true for the Hudson, Flux and similar devices (all seem to be the same mechanism in various plastic shells), there is one actual U/S stylus cleaner on the market, and it is made by Humminguru! The S-Duo. I have one but hardly dare use it for fear of getting water inside a cartridge. One has to lower the tip of the cantilever into the shallow bath of D/W, so no good for my Deccas. I did try it out on a new Cadenza Bronze, and took photos of the stylus cleaned with a brush, and then with the S-Duo.
Plainly, it does work! I'd estimate the Hudson as running about 100Hz, and it does a mechanical clean, but not an ultrasonic one. |
It looks like the Kirmuss 'In the Groove' Ultrasonic Record Restorer - Upscale Audio Anniversary Edition (going for ~$1200 now) might be the ticket to a "better" machine that provides the necessary higher power for cavitation bubbles without all the bells and whistles of the far more automatic (and significantly more expensive) Degritter. I'll have to look into one of these. While I love vinyl, my collection is only a couple hundred albums, (sold or gave away most of my vinyl in the 1990s - ouch!) so I can't justify $3K for a cleaner. I'd be better off putting that money towards a better streamer or DAC for my digital front end. |
I looked up the video instructions for the Kirmuss record restorer. All I can say is, if you’ve got a lot of time on your hands this machine is for you. There are at least 10 steps in the process, every one of them time consuming. Undoubtedly the results are better, but is the improvement so much better as to spend half a day cleaning a few records worth it? I’ll stick with the Humminguru. |
+1 @rvpiano |
