Audio Desk Record Cleaner-Anyone buy one yet


I may never get to own one of these due to the price, but if I could I would say that it may the best upgrade to any analog system. I had the opportunity recently to have a couple of records cleaned on one. The two Lp's I had cleaned are one of many copies I have purchased thru the years in search of a good clean copy. The title is the 2 disk set "Renaissance Live at Carnegie Hall". I took one of my copies over in hopes that I would get back that sought after clean copy. However I will preface my comments about the Audio Desk with the cold hard fact that once a record reaches a level of surface noise and contamination, nothing can make it new again. However once the Audio Desk completed it's 8 minute process, the improvements were immediately evident. First thing to take notice of, absolutely the cleanest and shiniest black vinyl I think I have ever seen. The LP's looked better than new under light. But the real test is listening. As I have listened to the title many many times from my first copy back in the 70's and never on LP, CD or Imported CD have I heard the detail of the recording. On disk #1 the cleanest of the two the LP was much cleaner than I have been able to obtain on my VPI 16.5 using Walker 4 Step, Mobile Fidelity Enzime, L'Art Du son, and various other solutions. My guess is the Audio Desk cleaned an additional 50-70% of the surface noise from the album. The depth of information in the Annie Haslam's Vocals, the clarity of the Bass that I had written off as muddled recording failure was now revealing the individual notes each taking their own space in the music field. The orchestra was fully present and not crowded together as before. Now on to disk 2, the disappointment of permanantly damaged grooves was inescapable. However the music that came thru had much more information to re-write the recall of this recording burned in my memory from previous listening sessions. On Scherazade with the verbal introduction to the song, I heard instruments and voices in nthe back ground that I had never noticed before. Little plucks of strings and puffs on brass as the orchestra was making sure they were ready to perform. I will say that an additional cleaning of 20-30 percent of this album was still obvious but to my disappointment, the Audio Desk is not a miracle worker, but a pretty damn good magician. I think 3800.00 is a lot of money for just about anything these days, but is it worth the 3800.00? Yes if you value and love your record collection. I have an LP12 with many upgrades and Lyra Kleos Cartridge. This record cleaner is just 800.00 more than the cartridge and when I put the two in perspective they both can bring a much higher level of performance to your turntable. Unfortunatly you need both and I sadley can only afford one. The financial curse of audiophilia continues....
128x128theo
I have been intrigued by the ultrasonic method but cannot afford the Audio Desk. There are many audiophiles around the globe that have built their own machines by basically adding a rod and rack system to clean 3 to 12 records at once. There are units like the dentist use for about $400. You have to be a DIY person or have friends that are to pull it off.
I have read hundreds of posts from these DIY guys and it really seems they have figured this out. Even the use of Kodak PhotoFlo seems to solve the drying issue. Everyone agree the records are the cleanest they are ever going to get and the listening results make for some happy audiophiles. I have ordered a machine and am gathering the parts for the motor, gears etc. If you can set up a cartridge properly then you can do this too...with a little help from your friends. You can ck it out over on DIY audio
website. Just let Google translate the Norwegian for you.
For those experiencing a few drops of water on thin LPs after the drying process, give this a try. Pull the white wipers out, turn them upside down, reinsert. The wipers appear to take a set with use. I rotate them every 40-50 records and have not had any real drying issues since.
Will try what Vetterone suggested. Irritating to have streak of liquid on 1 side of the LP ESP on thin 120 g LP
By the way when cleaning does the 4 microfibres brush touches the LP during the cleaning process ? Mine does not
at RMAF i learned about another 'trick' for the 'white wipers' from the 'Elusive Disc' guy who was demo'ing the Audio Desk.

he said to take a 'twist tie', those wires with a paper wrap, and insert the twist tie (laying flat against the flat back of the white wiper) behind the white wiper in the slot carefully. basically start them both together and gently, slowly, push them in.

this will push the white wiper out just a bit and help it wipe better. he said a wire by itself is not enough.

the paper will keep the twist tie from damaging the white wiper and it's probably good if the twist tie is slightly sticking out at the end so it can be grabbed by a pliers for easy extraction. i might also apply a small amount of vasoline to the back of the twist tie so it slides in easier if it won't slide in smoothly.

i've not yet tried it but it does sound like it would work.
Any updates? I am thinking of buying one but would keep my Loricraft for precleaning really dirty ones and in case the ADS breaks down.

thanks,

Paul