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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
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.
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
Lewm--I also was amazed at the amount of trash in the bottom of the ultrasonic bath. I knew those records were dirty but i was surprised to see the amount of dirt. Seeing the trash and hearing the difference does make the cleaning worthwhile. However, i use the full cleaning mode to get the album initially clean then return to a clean sleeve. When playing cleaned records, i use a microfiber brush prior to playing
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Hi Lew, is my laziness comprising playback quality and perhaps stylus life if I just dry brush my LPs?? I really like the idea of picking up an ultrasonic machine that cleans and dry multiple records at one time. Problem is I just sprung for a new amp and I don't want to part with any more green for now.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Thx, Oilman- I was looking for the Triton surfactant and industrial dispersant but they were very expensive in the only quantity I could find on-line. Like Stringreen and Bifwayne, I am not a fanatic about this, so I'll give the photo-flo/dawn mix a try.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
...is my laziness comprising playback quality and perhaps stylus life if I just dry brush my LPs?
1. Whether playing inadequately cleaned records compromises playback quality depends on the resolution of the system and the sensitivity of the listener. In mine, to me, the answer is "yes". In yours, to you, only you can say.

2. Whether playing inadequately cleaned records compromises stylus life is a question for experts. I do know that an accumulation of crud on the stylus and cantilever can impact many aspects of cartridge performance. I've inspected several cartridges that the owners thought were broken or worn out. After proper cleaning they played like new again.

3. A question you didn't ask, but should have, is, "Will playing inadequately cleaned records compromise the life of my records?" In my experience, the answer is an unqualified "yes". Whether you'll hear the damage being done by scraping unknown contaminants against plastic groove walls with a diamond blade depends on the answer to question #1, but there's no question that damage is being done - damage that could be avoided.
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