KLAudio is stopping production of their Ultrasonic record cleaner.

I've had the KL and now have the Degritter.  I find the Degritter better in every aspect.

I found the Degritter cleans better (see my post in the Degritter thread).  The other big difference in the machines comes down to three major points.  The Degritter has a filtering system, a removable water tank, and is completely controlled by firmware.  It's also smaller, lighter, quieter, and better looking IMHO.  Degritter responds to emails promptly.  I once emailed KL with a simple question and never got a response.

Filtering - I was shocked by the amount of sludge in the KL tank when I went to clean it.  It's also very difficult to clean well because access to the tank is limited.  Clearly this sludge was in the tank no matter how often I changed the water.  The Degritter has an inexpensive replaceable filter which can be cleaned and replaced in seconds.  I've seen no crud in the Degritter tank.

Water tank - As I mentioned, with the KL access to the tank is quite limited for cleaning it.  You have to fill the tank with a funnel through a small hole in the top of the unit.  With the Degritter removable tank (lifts out of machine in seconds) you can easily fill and clean the tank anywhere without having to lug the machine around.  You can also easily keep different solutions by buying an inexpensive second tank.

Firmware - Every aspect of the machine is controlled through firmware.  This firmware can be updated by the user simply by inserting a SD card into the machine with the firmware file on it and rebooting.  Degritter has already made a couple updates fine tuning the machine since I have had mine.

I should also say I was happy with my KL when I had it. I actually sold it before I ever heard of the Degritter. It was at a time when I was pulling some money out of my system. Then I realized how I can’t live without an ultrasonic cleaner and found the Degritter in my search. I think everyone should have an ultrasonic cleaner before worrying about some of the other popular tweaks. 

The heavy wash cycle on the Degritter is now 12 min from start to finish.  This was recently increased with a firmware update.  I like it this way, no do-overs needed.  Every record gets a heavy wash to start with whether it is new or old and from that baseline I will maintain with a light or med wash going forward.

Yes, the cooling fan engages every time I wash.  It's warm here now.    We'll see what happens in the winter.  I don't mind it coming on during the actual wash cycle but I do not agree with leaving it running after you're done washing.  My Degritter is in my audio room.  So, I need to put the machine to sleep after every wash if I plan on listening to what was just cleaned because the cooling fan runs forever even when the machine is doing nothing.  I suggested they shut the cooling fan off if another cleaning cycle is not started in XX seconds but they didn't like that idea.  I see no point in cooling water if you are not washing.

Mine will stay on for 10-15 minutes or more after the cleaning cycle is done.  I guess that means my water is hotter than yours.  It will eventually shut off if I let it go, but I am in the habit now of putting the machine to sleep after each record I clean.  Right now since I am going through all my records one by one with the heavy wash I clean one, then listen, clean one, then listen, etc.