Thumbs up for ultrasonic record cleaning

@slaw - a few years ago, I was doing some research for a piece on DIY US (after having owned both the Audio Desk and KL). One of my sources of information was a long time manufacturer of factory line sized ultra sonic cleaning systems. (He didn't focus on vinyl, but was willing to spend an hour and a half over the phone and provide me with a lengthy email). He was emphatic about the value of a surfactant as part of the US process- it improved cavitation effect immensely. He showed me metal parts cleaned with and without surfactant (granted, not vinyl LPs, but still). When I jumped on the KL after the Audio Desk, I thought- simple- no chemicals to rinse off, no kludgey spinning applicator brushes, etc. But, the KL doesn't allow for the  use of surfactants (I haven't confirmed that directly with KL but suspect I am right). The DIY US, from my perspective, actually brings more to the table than either commercial, made for vinyl, US cleaner. You can add surfactant, and avoid some of the complications of the Audio Desk design; you can control heat, degas, and build a recirculation system with a filter (something KL now offers, but still no surfactant). And, your price of entry can be cheaper. When my KL finally dies, that's the way I'm going. (I still pre-clean on the Monks, and for certain records, do a reagent water rinse after the KL). For now, I'm changing out the water at 30 records or less, even though with pre-cleaning there is very little residue in the KL tank. (If I put a new record straight into the KL without precleaning, there will often be some grit in the tank when I drain it). 

@whart

Nothing you so elliquently stated is lost on me. I've always appreciated your thoughtful posts and your mission here.

I guess I assume that others will automatically remember all of my past posts regarding my regimen that includes (a pre-steam)...VERY IMPORTANT, to me, at least.

I have no doubt that a cleaning agent of some sort will be a positive improvement.

My posts recently have been focused on my transition from the AD cleaner w/ their fluid to the Rushton DIY w/ just distilled water.

I hope this will come through in a way that will draw others in to the US cleaning method and that it is low cost and better performing and when ready, the owner can try cleaning methods to their own personal way.

Cheers!

I note that lwal questioned wavelength. The calculation is easy, from the physics formula V=fl (velocity = frequency x wavelength). Since the speed of sound is 5000 feet / second in water (60,000 inches per second), the equation is
       60,000 = 40,000 x l
from which it is trivial to solve for l.

l = wavelength = 60,000 inches per second   /  40,000 cycles per second
  = 1.5 inches / cycle

Note that the units match what we want to calculate, as they must if the formula has been used correctly.

For surfactant I use a lab grade detergent, Versaclean from Fisher Scientific.

Wow!

This is, while it may be interesting to the scientists among us, IS what I was trying to evade...we..need to draw others in................

This kind of talk just makes for a harder sale!

I have owned a Loricraft PRC4(8yrs ago) and clearaudio double matrix(6yrs ago) among others. I have been considering a new RCM purchase for some time. I strongly considered the KLAUDIO, Audio Desk and ultrasonic. I read a lot of reviews and opinions but in the end I bought the clearaudio double matrix Pro sonic. I am thrilled that I did. Automatic, Quiet and really really cleans well. It is so quiet, easy to use and good looking, it earned a spot on my rack next to my tt. I now clean often. My vinyl was/is quiet. The difference is I no longer have concerns of damaging my cart or vinyl. It’s built quality is superb. It may be the most attractive component on my rack. It makes me want to clean and that’s saying something!