Audio Desk cleaner.....still available?


I've been looking into this as my VPI 16.5 (from 35 years ago) has failed and I got taken on a "new open box" SOTA cleaner that was a trash heap no longer made (the site I used still says they are available on order....I called SOTA and they are not and you would not want one anyway).  The Audio Desk and the Degritter are the likeliest candidates.  The Audio Desk is or is not any longer in production/? Upscale Audio seems to have them, at least online. I was looking at a used one, likely the old model, but there are failure reports. I don't know about the new one, or whether it is even buyable. I'd prefer used if functional, but welcome opinions. The Degritter is the other option and it seems Galen Carol has them here in Texas. Info on that would be good too.  I'm starting to think record cleaning companies are the audio equivalent of roofing companies. Advice welcome!!

howardlee

Showing 4 responses by howardlee

The Audio Desk info has me thinking about the Degritter, which has pretty limited distribution despite a nice website.  It's about $1K less than the Audio Desk, but the main issue for me, assuming it functions well, would be reliability. I have to admit that I was simply shocked to find the AD has a glued-together cabinet. For a device with obviously vulnerable innards (pumps, for heaven's sake) this is incredible. I'd like input form someone with Degritter experience. Sites carrying it seem to be small, exclusive dealers and the Degritter website says  it takes a month after order to get one.  In other words, they make them as they go.  Anybody have one of these? That KlAudio one is really expensive.  

I'm close to ponying up for the Degritter.  I haven't seen anyone complain about performance or service and their website seems reputable, not to mention the pricey unit they're about to come out with that speaks of serious engineering. Final thing is their manual, which you can download, being a work of art among manuals. I'm thinking of not using a second tank for rinsing and getting a cheap Record Doctor to use up front with the Degritter cleaning fluid  with the Degritter following, but only with distilled water (rinsing the LP at the same time).  Anyone with thoughts on this is welcome.  Problems with the AudioDisc seem unecessary and not understandable, especially in a German design.  The Chinese, of all people, would not have done that.  

Mike seems like quite a guy.  Just the guy to do business with it appears (all I know is what I see in that video). I can't afford a KlAudio, though.