We Vinyl Ultrasonic or Vacuum Cleaner?

Can't say for sure, but I would guess that for cleaning new records (I always do this myself with my Degritter), either should do the job; you're not having to dig out dirt and gunk from deep in the grooves, more like getting rid of stuff closer to the surface from the pressing plant and paper sleeves (if applicable). 

Definitely use one of the two on new albums. I have been cleaning my albums for decades and new albums often have stuff on them from the pressing. 

Sounds like you are asking if you should buy and ultrasonic cleaner in a round about way. I have never used an ultrasonic, It may work better than a traditional vacuum... or the same. I’m not sure. Personally, I would put my money to upgrade and interconnect or component than upgrade my cleaner... but that is me. 

@ghdprentice I have both. The ultrasonic is more of a commitment to use. I also believe in the least intrusive method of cleaning appropriate for the record. The idea bouncing around is that the ultrasonic is overkill for a new record. 

Ultrasonic is superior and considered the best method to clean vinyl records.

"Overkill"? I don't think you can overclean a record, so it's all just a matter of effort vs reward. It does take some effort, but using a Loricraft and then a Degritter gets me unimpeachable results.

@neonknight,

Windham Hill for the most part, used a HDPE record liner and good vinyl. Some of the black vinyl if you holdup to light are translucent brown.  So, they are generally in very good condition upon receipt.  I do not recall anyone of their records being delivered with a paper sleeve, which I have stopped buying NOS records that are known to have used paper sleeves.  The paper is not acid-free, and a few decades of storage; likely in a pressed condition, causes what I call sleeve rash - and there is no recovery cleaning process.

Before spending for a UT Tank, suggest you first use your OkkiNokki but with a cleaning solution using a good brush (I use the Amazon.com: Record Doctor Clean Sweep LP Vinyl Cleaning Brush : Electronics), with good technique - quick back & forth motion; it's not about bearing down on the brush, let the fluid agitation do the work.  Then use a double-rinse to ensure all cleaning agent is removed.  Blower style vacuum-RCM does not suck up all the fluid, as much as 30% is evaporated/dried in-place (confirmed by testing; see Chapter XIII of this free book -Precision Aqueous Cleaning of Vinyl Records-3rd Edition - The Vinyl Press.

The 132-kHz  High-Frequency Ultrasonic Cleaner UC-8180L (132 kHz; 6 liter; 110V) – CleanerVinyl sounds impressive except the power rating of 180W is low for that size of tank (the Degritter 120-kHz is 300W into 1.4-L) and the Chinese made 60W/transducer power rating (3 installed) is a bit optimistic.  If you plug the UT into an inexpensive wattmeter, you will more than likely see a power considerably less.  The problem is that as the kHz increases, the power needed for cavitation increases; see the beginning of Chapter XIV of the book for the basic thumb-rules for UT.  Industrial table-top units with high kHz are often 240VAC for the necessary power and their power ratings are verified.  

The catch-22 is if you buy the higher kHz unit, you may find that even for new records, you will need to preclean with your  OkkiNokki; and for DIY UT, many people use a vacuum-RCM (with rinse) to dry after UT cleaning.  It avoids the need or filtration to keep the UT clean of frequent tank refresh.  This is what makes the one-stop clean/dry units such as the HummingGuru, Degritter and KLAudio so appealing.

Good Luck,

OP,

We sound like we may have a similar approach to life... I want to spend as little time doing mundane tasks and as much time doing high value activities... minimize cleaning the house, doing laundry and maximize music listening and climbing mountains. 

I have an Okki Nokki vacuum RCM and a Degritter II ultrasonic. 

I clean all my new records before playing them in the Degritter using distilled water only, and no cleaning formula. For used records or ones that are otherwise soiled and need a deep clean, I use my Okki Nokki as a presoak with AIVS Formula #15 enzymatic solution, followed by a two tank cleaning in the Degritter. The first tank has Degritter’s cleaning formula and the second tank is a pure distilled water rinse cycle.

This process has been extremely effective for me. I have about 5000 LPs I’ve collected over the last 50 years or so, and continue to buy about 200 LPs every year.

@dogberry I too have a Loricraft. Never thought about an ultrasonic clean after as I thought that the Loricraft 4(pre SME version) with its hospital grade pump was good enough. I guess that you notice a big difference using the Degritter afterwards vs the Loricraft alone? Ever try only the Degritter? 

Perhaps the Degritter is something I should consider. How long from start to finish does your complete cleaning proceedures take. Are you using the new Mark II model? 

Do you use the L'art Du Son with your Loricraft and your Degritter? 

Thanks!