I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Kirmuss ultrasonic machine and his restoration regimen. Does no one here have one?
Some thoughts on record cleaning machines and alternatives
As many of you know I have some experience using record cleaning machines. This is not, repeat NOT, a discussion about what might be the best record cleaning machine. Frankly I neither know nor care. What this is about is the approach that you might take depending on your needs. Let me start by first addressing the types of record collectors that might need to consider a record cleaning machine (RCM).
The audiophile with priority on sound quality
The record collector with priority on the music itself with SQ of secondary importance
Obviously there could be some who are both, but to keep this organized, we'll deal with the two types separately. The audiophile who is after best SQ possible should buy the best editions of recordings of interest and unquestionably will be best served with an ultra sonic RCM. Which one? I dunno. From what I can learn all US machines achieve similar results sonically, but there have been issues with longevity of some brands. I bought a HumminGuru, and one year in of moderate use my machine now needs a new water pump and solenoid valve. Customer support is excellent, but longevity is a question mark. By contrast I have been using VPI machines since 1986 and have never needed anything other than new brushes for scrubbing the records. VPI machines are just about bullet proof.
The record collector, with a collection spanning decades and many old records of variable condition is more likely to be happier with a vacuum machine. These are more suited to removing the grunge, finger prints and what not that old records seem to accumulate. Also, old records usually have small scratches, wear from repeated play, or from being subjected ot an old or worn stylus etc and no RCM can fix those problems anyway. So, the vacuum RCM is just as effective as the US for all practical purposes on old records. Also, if you collect and clean old records in batches, the vacuum RCM is considerably faster in use. For those who value their time the vacuum RCM has added appeal.
Next, I want to mention the fact that not everybody needs a RCM. There are manual washing machines like the Spin Clean or the new EZ Washer from HumminGuru that do a terrific job and are more than adequate for the occasional record cleaning chore. These should also be considered for the US RCM owner who runs into the occasional batch of old, dirty records because the US machines do not do as good a job of scrubbing off things like finger prints. So, a first clean with one of these manual washers, followed by a run through the US RCM makes a lot of sense.
Saving the best for last, for those who want to take a deep dive, I want to recommend Neil Antinn's book, which is available for free on line and is the definitive resource on the subject. Here is the link; thevinylpress.com/precision-aqueous-cleaning-of-vinyl-records-3rd-edition/
I hope this is useful and let me know how you do.
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I met Charles Kirmuss late last year at the NY Audio Show, he's quite convincing. It's too big for me. Unless .... https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/who-uses-kirmuss-restoration-system?highlight=kirmuss
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I'm "The audiophile with priority on sound quality" type. I'll amplify the importance of Neil Antinn's free book. I think anyone who plays vinyl, especially used records should read this from front to back to really understand how each manner of cleansing works and what it can and can't do. This is a very complete thesis on cleaning and can look overwhelming at first. Focus initally on what method of cleaning you prefer, and then branch out. I promise you will come away with a lot. Over the years while fine tuning my methodology, Ive come back to this repeatedly. In the 70's I used the Discwasher religiously, but when CD's came out and I moved houses, I largely switched from vinyl to the little silver discs. I stubbornly carted my albums over several moves, much to my wife's consternation. I found that a lot of the music I loved was only on vinyl and I got a new Nottingham TT and started spinning the vinyl again. I was stunned at how good my old vinyl sounded-thanks discwasher. I learned that my college environment wasn't healthy for vinyl and bought a DIY ultrasonic cleaner which had no drying capability, so it just air dried. Sounded better, but then I figured my LP was still likely a mess with dirty bath water still adhering to the surface, so I bought a VPI 16.5 for distilled water rinsing. Better, but then began to question if I was just blasting my vinyl surface using a dirty bath with the detritus of the previously cleaned records-kind of like bathing in a tub used by a bunch of dirty people. Mixing up the chemistry for the bath was a little tiresome, so I started using the VPI for a quick pre clean using AIVS #15. I still do this by the way for every album that I clean, new or old. The only problem was that after using the VPI to dry the record, there was enough static generated that I would see dust Kamikaze's land on the LP before I could sleeve it. I did use a Zerostat, but it really didn't solve the problem. Then the US died. I got a Clearaudio double matrix pro sonic which includes a static brush. Unlike @mulveling I didn't have any mechanical issues, but soon realized sonic didn't mean ultrasonic. None the less, my LP's sounded better as I had re-cleaned all my previously cleaned discs.By this time I was convinced that cleaner discs couldn't exist. My dealer was coming by to install some new cables and was telling me about this new device called a DeGritter. I told him to bring it by, but was quite smug I was good. We played a song on a well known record after the install and then immediately cleaned it in the Degritter and replayed it. Not even close. Within seconds we could hear more of the music. It seemed more textured and defined. I didn't then and still don't a see a signfiant improvement in pops and clicks in previously cleaned LP's. But the QUALITY of the sound was improved-more than a little. So I think that shows the difference between 40KHz of most ultrasonic cleaners and 120KHz of the DeGritter. By this time I had read Neil's bible several times and formulated my current regimen. Fresh out of the sleeve the LP goes on the VPI as mentioned. If I see a bunch of surface gunk, I do a fresh water rinse out of the tap with label protectors-takes less than 30 seconds then on the vpi. Then new discs into the DeGritter where I have 30cc's of Ethanol combined with distilled water in the tank at the medium setting. If I'm cleaning used records, usually off discogs, I did purchase and Isonic 40KHz and I will run it for 15 minutes in a bath of 200 cc IPA, 1 cc of 15-s-9 Tergitol in 6240ccs of distilled water. So in summary, I believe that no one form of treatment gets the job completely done. I believe in mechanical brush cleansing, 40 Khz (large bubble US) followed by 120 KHZ (small bubble US) with air drying in the DeGritter. I immediately sleeve the record. With this regimen, for a new LP I'm involved with cleaning for about a minute total. |
@longplayer I did look at the Kirmuss system. I recommend you read Mikey Fremer's review. Mikey, who I respect, says the Kirmuss system is the very most effective of any. He only uses his if nothing else works and he really values the record. Long story short, it is a very tedious, time consuming way to clean records. If sound quality is priority #1, it merits first consideration apparently. After going through the full demonstration, my eyes glazed over. Not quite a year ago I came into possession of a large (~8,000) estate collection. If the Kirmuss system were to be employed I would need to rent space, set up several dozen machines and hire people to do the job. Practical it is not. |
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