Interesting read here. I believe a lot has been "discovered" or at least refined on ultrasonic cleaners science in last few years which will help settle your mind on ultrasonics, to a point. I use both a Kirmuss and an Audio Desk. Kirmuss posts a LOT of useful information online and is a must read before you purchase an ultrasonic whether his or others. I am happy with both but believe the Kirmuss does a better job without a doubt, though it typically takes a lot more time and elbow grease - tho worth it to me especially on favorite records. Audio Desk is my go to for mass cleanings or first clean just to hear if a record is an outstanding pressing worth putting the extra time in with the Kirmuss to bring it to the best possible level of sonics. I believe both use ~ 35Hz to avoid damaging records, the science as I know it being is the higher the Hz, the faster and more powerful the microscopic "explosions" of the ultrasonic bubbles on the surface of the records are, thus, in theory if powerful enough could cause damage, and 35Hz is "safe." I’ve run records multiple cycles of up to 30 minutes on both with no problems at all - and I have a VERY revealing system so would likely hear issues if there were any. It’s apparently all in the cycle rate (35hz)and the surfacant that ATTRACTS water to the surface and most importantly INTO the grooves of the record were the hard to get out and sound altering dirt etc lies. Water alone will not do as good a job at removing the dirt, dust, release residue etc, that is in the grooves.
A History of Ultrasonic Record Cleaning
Given all of the attention to ultrasonic cleaning of LPs, made more accessible by DIY, there’s been surprisingly little written about the history of ultrasonic record cleaning. Mike Bodell changes that with a piece I just published entitled “The Curious Case Of Record Cleaning In The Quest For Sonic Perfection," which you can find here:
https://thevinylpress.com/the-curious-case-of-record-cleaning-in-the-quest-for-sonic-perfection/
Mike found an old patent that directly addresses the subject, and puts the development of various cleaning approaches into historical context. I think you’ll find it a worthwhile addition to the literature and an enjoyable read.
https://thevinylpress.com/the-curious-case-of-record-cleaning-in-the-quest-for-sonic-perfection/
Mike found an old patent that directly addresses the subject, and puts the development of various cleaning approaches into historical context. I think you’ll find it a worthwhile addition to the literature and an enjoyable read.