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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
mwilliams
47 posts
 
Mine is on the way, but have a few questions. After the unit run through its cycle is the album dry enough to put back in its sleeve.

Also if someone only cleans say 20 lp's a month should you change the cleaning fluid more often than every 100 or so album. Didn't know if it would go bad or stale.

Hope it's as good as you guy's say it is. That was a hard trigger to pull

Matt
jperry
2,453 posts
 
The album is almost always dry enough to put away, but occasionally there are a few drops of water in the run out grooves. I just wipe them with a microfiber cloth.

I clean about as many records as you and do not think there is a problem with the fluid deteriorating. You may occasionally need to add a little additional distilled water due to evaporation.

If you want to keep track of how many records you have cleaned you can get a Great Star Tally Counter at Office Depot, Walmart, etc for under $5. I also use one to track record sides played so I have approximate cartridge hours.

Having the Audio Deske Cleaner has made a difference in how the music sounds. I hope you enjoy the results as much as I have.
gpgr4blu
1,091 posts
 
Hi Matt:
Most of the time the record is dry enough to put back in the sleeve. On those occasions where there are a few drops on the record, I use pressed air or a microfiber cloth (like the kind used to clean eyeglasses) to remove them. Doesn't happen that much.
I tend to clean about 20 records a month as well. Before my next cleaning episode, I'll just add distilled water to the mix to make sure the record gets fully immersed (advice of the importer)--the amount to be added is learned over a few tries--when you use too much, water will be spit out of the fan air vents in the drying phase. No harm though.
After 3 months, I usually change the water even though I've only cleaned 60 or so records. Just because I want a fresh solution. Can't say I would be able to detect a difference if I didn't. Others empty the solution in an airtight container for storage and then pour it back into the RCM prior to use. I assume they might be able to go the full 100.
The Audio Desk is a big investment. But if you value your collection, you will be happy with it.
dangelod
40 posts
 
Just coming to this thread. I have had the audio desk for a year - after several vpi iterations. I have not used other ultrasonic machines.

AD is absolutely remarkable. Have cleaned hundreds of records with zero operational isdues. Great for cleaning up older, dirtier discs, but also incredible with new, audiophile quality vinyl where I clean prior to first listen. I always had problems with the "artistry" needed to get vinyl really perfect out of vpi. With AD, press a button.

Only drawback is 4-5 mins of loud vacuum noise - take that time to read liner notes !!
effischer
562 posts
 
Just wanted to add my experience as food for thought. Considered the Audio Desk and the KL, but was put off by the beau coup bux required and spotty user comments regarding post-sale support on the Audio Desk.

Purchased the V8 cleaner, primarily because I could control temperature, agitation and batch process my collection (400+). I've found it to be a superior value, and have tried a few different techniques. The one that seems to work the best is ambient temperature distilled water, some isopropyl alcohol and about 20 minutes at maximum agitation. Even cleaned up some of my wife's (literally) moldy oldies to a playable condition. Drawbacks are that it is a batch device so not really suitable for cleaning just one LP and less-than-serial manufacture accessory execution.

Completed cleaning every disk in the house before Thanksgiving and have been listening to a broad variety since then. Like Dave said when I bought it, it can't fix damaged records, but it sure does get the gunk out of the grooves. Even an original pressing of Teaser and the Firecat I played to death as a child became playable on my PL15 / OM 2M Red. A Spyro Gyra LP from my wife's collection came back enough to merit my Sota / Graham / DV XX2 Mk II.

Now, where to go from here? I may decide to offer collection cleaning services or off the V8 and go with a KL (still leery of the German "functional disturbances based on these specifications are impossible" approach to customer service by Audio Desk I've seen reported a few times - unforgivable in a $5K discretionary purchase). My trusty Discwasher brushes (have 2 from back in the day and they are still the best manual devices, IMO) work just fine with my preferred cleaning solution for LPs that have gone through the V8. I've also found that as long as a mold release agent remover is used, the ultrasonic treatment isn't really needed for initial cleaning of sealed, new records.

Regardless, I've concluded that ultrasonic record cleaning is the biggest advance in cleaning to come down the pike since the original vacuum devices were introduced. Strongly recommended for having fun and happy listening!
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