Humminguru Nova

@audphile1 
TergiKleen is a good choice for a surfactant in an ultrasonic cleaner. If you already have some, then I would suggest you try it in your Nova.

@ljgerens yes tergikleen has been working great in the manual cleaning I do. Needs a rinse though. I’ll hit one record with just distilled water to see if it fixes the issue. I suspect Small Bottle is the culprit. I’ll test it out. 
Can’t beat the convenience factor of the US machine but if it makes the records sound worse I don’t need it. 

@audphile1 

Totally get why you’re puzzled, should have listened to my advice..LOL! 

What you’re describing really does sound like residue, even at one drop. Ultrasonic cavitation is brutally effective, but it’s also very good at redistributing whatever is in the bath deep into the groove. If the solution isn’t fully volatile or doesn’t rinse cleanly, it can absolutely leave behind a microscopic film. That film in my experience after cleaning 500 plus records can dampen transient energy, air, and bass grip….exactly the “rolled-off, dull” presentation you’re describing.

I suggest, re-wash with distilled water only, let the records fully dry and de-static, and reassess. I’d bet good money the life and tonal balance come back once the grooves are truly clean, not just quiet.

As far noise, I guess that’s where Germans distance themselves from Chinese. My Degritter MKII wash cycle is very quiet, it’s only loud when drying cycle comes on. 

@lalitk exactly !
good news is…I rewashed the Edu & Tom record with only distilled water and the sound as I know it is back! Also without the solution mixed in the machine is quieter. There’s a high pitch in the beginning but it goes away quickly. I will spend some more time with it over the weekend but the Small Bottle solution is a non-starter. I need to have the initial PTSD wear off before I can reassess better what it does. 

@audphile1 
If you use any surfactant/detergent or anything other than distilled water in your ultrasonic bath, it will require a rinse step.