Vacuum Record Cleaner Rreplacement

Oberon, your science around molecular size may be correct but I hear a big difference between rinsing with distilled water and not rinsing, after washing with a nonionic detergent and drying before rinse, using my HW17. And that difference is very much in favor of water rinsing then vacuuming a second time

@oberoniaomnia re: Naia, thank you for your reply.  I'll keep looking.  I have a collection of TTs.  Definitely am interested in Naia if one comes along.

I see an experiment on the horizon.  Prepare a microscopic slide of the distilled water prior to using in the ultrasonic machine to determine the amount of particulate per square millimeter  or whatever unit is most suitable).  Clean five records, draw another water sample and check under the microscope.  Repeat after every five records until you reach saturation or you get bored.  That would settle the question of how much particulate is suspended in the ultrasonic bath water, not to mention how often you should change the water.  Would require pretty good microscope

@jrcotner Re microscope, light microscope has a theoretical resolution limit of around 250 nm = 0.25 µm under ideal condition, which never obtains due to various aberrations. Taking numerical aperture into account, it becomes (1.22 x lambda)/2 NA. And then you need to assume your microscope slide and coverslip are REALLY clean. Good luck with that at home!

For smaller particles, you need to go to electron microscopes. Scanning has resolution limit of ~2–5 nm, a good transmission can go to Angstrom level. Starter desktop SEM can be had for about $100K, decent about $250–500K, top of the line SEM/TEM $XM. And you also need some other gear to make the preps, plus serious vibration isolation (oil pan, bungie cord suspension).

One more thing to consider is that we play our records in our homes, not in an ISO cleanroom. So colorimetric approach is sufficient to show that there is some stuff coming off. What it is specifically is idle musing.

@lewm maybe there is something else going on in your set-up, possibly with static charge? I don't hear a thing after needle drop. Adding steps to get to less than nothing is pointless. 

Oberon, You apparently use a US machine.  I use only a VPI HW17 vacuum machine.  My wash fluid is a combination of alcohol, nonionic detergent, and water.  Most likely you use plain or distilled water in your US machine.  Or if you don't, what do you use?  In any case, in my experience with my wash fluid and my machine, the extra rinse with clean water followed by a second vacuuming makes an audible difference and adds about 30 seconds per side to the cleaning ritual.  Well worth it. But because you don't hear a benefit in your very different method, does not mean that there is no difference using my methods. If you do use plain water in your US machine, there is no wonder that a rinse with plain water would not make much if any audible difference.