Record Cleaning - Ultra Sonic or My old ways


I went digging this weekend and came up with a few gems that were on my list.

I went home, dusted them off first then started my cleaning madness. But guess what? I found myself cleaning the record using my old method instead of my $4K ultrasonic method.

When first started to collect records, I started out cleaning with my DIY method, then with a Nitty Gritty, then I got a Spin Clean and used it in combination with my DIY method. I then thought that was madness so I moved up to a KLAUDIO ultrasonic cleaning machine. It works great but I still find myself using the Spin Clean and DIY method. Now that is real madness I thought. But I really get some satisfaction from doing it that way because I feel that the records are as clean as using the KLAUDIO. I think that is really the case because I have stop buying dirty records, therefore not a lot of pops or clicks from the records. I do not collect records just to have a large amount of records. I always listen to my new purchases and put a small red sticker on the ones I think are good pressing and good sounding records (Like the "Hot Stamper" guy does). I then take all of the others to Goodwill. I have a database (Momento Database) on my Android phone with my record collection, including those records that I donated, so that I don't purchase them again. Before having the database, after going Digging I would realize that I already have one or two copies of the same record, so the database really helps because I look up each record to make sure I don't already have it.

So, have ever reverted to your old ways of cleaning records?

The KLAUDIO is just sitting there and I only use it occasionally if I hear some extra noise from the records, which is not often.

almandog
I use the V8 and have to say that I wouldn't even have considered buying used records before I got it.  Just too much gunk in the grooves of used records and most of them are fingerprinted as well.  The V8 is a batch unit, so not all that convenient, but I won't be going back.  My 2 cents, anyway.

Happy listening!
As I said in another thread, I compared the exact titles and pressings professionally cleaned on Audio Desk ultrasonic machine and cleaned by me on Okki Nokki machine with Audio Intelligent three step solutions. There was no audible difference of any kind. My system is sensitive enough to detect very small changes. So if you have very high end system there might be a small difference, if not I wouldn't bother.
I've always found that the cleaning method you actually USE is the best method. 

This is different things to different people.  For me, any machine with an obnoxiously loud vacuum motor will (and has gone) unused.  Others may not mind this.

I also had an (unnamed) RCM that in combination with a three step cleaning protocol, took me about 15 minutes to clean both sides of an LP.   For me, life is too short for this.  Again, others may find this to be a pleasing, meditative activity ... different strokes and all that.

In photographic circles, you'll find parallel discussions about which DSLR has the best noise performance at (for example) high ISOs.  At the end of the day, many of these individuals rarely carry their behemoth, full-frame DSLRs.  From this, the adage arose:  "you miss 100% of the shots with the camera you don't have with you".

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier
You do need 15-20 minutes to clean a record well. Noisy vacuum motor is a funny argument for audiophiles.
If life is too short - don't have too many records and don't work too many hours unless of course you enjoy it.

I still fall back on my long time regiment with a VPI16.5, Disc Doctor, AI Super, and lots of elbow grease and pure water. DIY ultrasonics are on the way.

I believe ultrasonics have there place in this whole Vinylphile thing. They really recondition very old stuff that you would never guess could sound so quiet and beautiful. 

If life is too short to spend cleaning a valuable vinyl properly in order to to enjoy it’s sonic riches, I guess there is always CeeDee’s, just kidding. :)

Happy Listening!