@oldrooney - FWIW@antinn was insistent that the book be made available for free. I was fine with that and more than happy to host the work. I've had a number of discussions with Neil, some far ranging, and always learn a lot.
ultrasound record cleaning machine damaged my records
I recently purchased an ultrasound record cleaning machine. For reasons which I hope you understand I won’t name brands, because I am not wanting to make bad publicity to anyone but to discuss the matter.
Previously, I had anather ultrasound machine which broke. I cleaned more than a 1000 records with it, with no concerns at all. The machine broke and, due to its steep price, I decided to go for a less costly solution.
With the new machine I cleaned 7 records. One of themLeonard Cohen’s “New Skin for the old ceremony”. When listening to “Chelsea Hote”, I remarked a distortion that wasn’t there before. IT was clear on the low notes, like the instrument being out of focus or vibrating. I had some old very worn records which had that problem due to bad stylus. At first I started to think that there was a problem with the stylus of my Lyra Atlas. So I went to another version of the same album I have at home, to check if there was a problem with the stylus. Clean passage. No problem at all.
As on the previous cleaned record I noticed a similar problem, not so apparent, I decided to clean the second version of the LP on the new machine. Playing it i heard the same distortion on the same music. Checking out all the 7 records I cleaned, I heard issues on all of them, some less apparent ( the mono ones) and some more appparent.
I couldn’t believe it but the new machine was damaging my records.
The combination of my atlas and my SME 312 arm gives some “needle talk” - music heard when with everything muted you put your hear next to the stylus on the record. Doing it, I heard the same rumble distortion that was being amplified by the system.
I used distilled water (not a new one but one which was opened for the previous machine) but it was clear clean. I put the exact amount of surfactant liquid on the mixture of distilled water. I kept all the operating instruction rules. I don’t understand what is wrong, but the fact is this machines damages the grooves on the record.
Does anyone had this problem before? Any help provided?
Note: I already contacted the dealer who sold it and I am going to see him next week. It is a very good a solid dealer. It I’d like to hear your opinion.
Best regards,
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@whart, and for every one of those discussions, I similarly learned a lot. Your encyclopedic knowledge of the past industry both hardware and music are quite impressive, and as a music reviewer you are the equal of any other. And you're taking the time to visit the Library of Congress and meet and see their record conservations practices lends to your credibility. Take care, Neil |
Yes one can be linked, but the file itself must be hosted elsewhere on the web. @antinn You remind me of something: the reason I bought a Loricraft many years ago was that I'd read the BBC was buying them to conserve their record collection. In those days if the BBC did it, it was a good recommendation. Not sure that is true any more! |
@pfmaudio You should have contacted the good folks at the CableCo and explained your issue with the pump on the Autodesk. I did that a few years ago when my pump broke and they upgraded me to the newest model for $1500. Not sure, but think that's cheaper than getting one of those cheaper options that, like you have discovered, can ruin your records. If you still have the AutoDesk, I would call Robert Stein at the CableCo and see what he can do for you. |
- 72 posts total