Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaning System

Thanks for the comment. That sounds promising. At least no one else is complaining further about reliability problem. I will have to start looking into one soon perhaps.

Suteetat, I bought a new Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner. Of course it may take many hundred of records cleaned for me to know that it is more reliable. But I have great confidence that new runs are more reliable; otherwise I would not have bought it.

Is there any further update on the more recent units as far as reliability is concerned? I think if the current unit does not have any major problem, it would an excellent cleaner to get.

Mem916, how long can the fluids stand in the Vinyl Cleaner? What is really nice is to have it in another room. You can put a record in and go listen. When you want you can go back and get a cleaned record.

I have heard that they have made a great effort to deal with this complex machine's problems.

Tbg,

From what I have heard they did a bunch of changes to fix whatever it was that was causing the failures. You might give it another chance. Only time will tell of course. Email me in 3 months if you like. I'm not on a-gone forums that often. I have no intention of using that VPI again except as a "pre-cleaner" for seriously dirty records. I don't bother with those very often but once in a while I want to give one a try. I am not going to go on a mission to clean 100s of records with the Audio Desk either, I just clean the ones I want to play, and put a green sticker on them to keep track of the ones I have run through it.

Mark

Mem916, I hope you are right. I remember doing perhaps a hundred records on the Vinyl Cleaner and feeling little overworked. Yesterday I devoted three hours with my total commitment cleaning 30 records. And I have the short-lived Delrin tube on my VPI which allows total vacuuming in one rotation. I will buy another Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner were I convinced they were reliable.

I should say, however, that were you to clean a record on the Vinyl Cleaner and then clean it on the VPI, its sound would improve. Oh, if you clean it first on the VPI and then also clean it with the Vinyl Cleaner, it will also improve!!! I just chose to ignore this.

I just got mine on Friday. (They have revised it to presumably address the reliability issues). It is an amazing machine and I really don't know how I lived with my VPI 16.5 for so long. Very highly recommended.

My advice: Buy 2 :-)

Eddiesudz, I suspect it is being discounted for a reason-not selling. It is too bad if Audio Desk cannot get their act together as this machine does its job well and is very convenient.

Thanks TBG...

I saw this listing for the Audio Desk Cleaner at Sound Stage Direct

Audio Desk Cleaner

I've never dealt with them but it looks like a nice deal.

Jtimothya, you are understanding me right. There are limits to how much I will put up with. The Audio Desk is very convenient. I would still have one, were they dependable. Mine stopped rotating records after doing about 50 records. It does a good job also. But it is just different than what Walker Prelude and my VPI does.

One of the disturbing findings I had was that using it after I had cleaned records with the Walker Prelude and vacuumed it with the Delrin tubed VPI record cleaner. It was improved greatly. Also doing the reverse, greatly improved the sound???

Thanks, Tbg. If I'm understanding what you describe (which maybe I'm not) a second cleaning gave an improvement, and in so doing neither technology w/ attendant fluids distinguished itself?

That suggests a third type of test. Clean side A once with VPI followed by Audio Desk (the order doesn't matter), then clean side B twice with either one.

Maybe your post already answers this :) - have you found the greatest benefit of the Audio Desk to be how clean it gets a record versus some other method, or its convenience?
 

The Cable Company.

Can someone tell me where you purchased your Audio Desk Cleaner?

Jtimothya, only the single cleaning fluid they provide can be used and reused. This fluid is drained off and goes into a holding tank in the bottom of the machine. It is evaporated off the record with fans, not vacuumed. Nevertheless you do not hear residue after cleaning.

One of the disturbing findings I had was that using it after I had cleaned records with the Walker Prelude and vacuumed it with the Delrin tubed VPI record cleaner. It was improved greatly. Also doing the reverse, greatly improved the sound??? I am not about to clean all of my records with two different machines.

The Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner was vastly more convenient. If you have it in another room, you can listen to music a go to it to remove a cleaned record after about five minutes.

I watched the video and this is a fascinating machine. Truly we are in the Golden Age of Recording Cleaning!

Does the device employ multiple fluid steps? Can you use any fluid or fluids with it or is there special AudioDesk Vinyl Cleaner fluid? Thanks.

I have no info about any changes in the unit but that the second unit is working without a flaw. I have it in my home office away from the sound system and it is so convenient. Just put a record in and go back to listening. It fits on my desk nicely.

Donaudio, ironically, I was just wondering what has happened to the Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner. Do you know if there are major changes in the unit?

I do miss its ease of use, but my review sample quite working.

I finally bit the bullet and bought one. The first one was DOA. I had to wait a couple of months to have it replaced as the dealer was waiting for the next shipment from Germany. It works perfectly and cleans very well. I feel it is one of the best purchases I have made. Much less labor intensive than my old VPI.

It's a big disappointment. A great machine but only when it's working. With it's reliability problem and very poor after sales service, I strongly don't recommend this machine, especially at this price. However, I'll still consider if he come out with a new and better machine that manage to solve all the issue.

Gents,

Sorry, I should have clarified that my little rant ("...audio jewelry) was in response to Thuchan's note on the LR1 unit, not the AudioDesk.

But the reports about the poor reliability of the Ultrasonic cleaner are disappointing. I have thought about building a similar cleaner, only using Megasonic transducers instead of Ultrasonic units which can pit and etch vinyl and other materials.

Ical, that is very disappointing. I don't have one any longer and have a VPI with the delrin tube, but I still have not cleaned any records since I sent the Vinyl Cleaner back. I guess I am going to have to bite the bullet.

Recently local dealer was kind to offer an exchange of a brand new set since they just received a batch of new shipment. 3 sets brand new out of the box, none works! First set: rollers not moving. Second set: the water doesn't pump up. Third set: Doesn't turn on at all. That's how unreliable it is. I finally gave up and asked for a replacement of a different RCM. a

I wonder how many are using the AudioDesk Vinyl Cleaner with no problems. This is, far and away, the easiest way to clean your records, and I would use it were it reliable.

Garage style records are cleaned wonderfully as well. For the audiodesk, one is able to set the duration those pads are put to work in cleaning the record.So I wouldn't write this RCM off.

I just cleaned two absolutely disgusting records that looked like it went through mud(abuse)... After going through the audiodesk treatment, they came out looking as good as new.Fuss free and fully automated!

While mine is working perfect, i do feel that quality control and after sales service needs to be improved.Reiner seems to reply people only selectively.

Br3098, the Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner is an innovative device for record cleaning that gets the user out of the picture and does work, quite well. Were it more reliable, I would have one in a flash, as I am tired of spending as much as 20 minutes per record, using four fluids and awaiting a string wand vacuuming across the surface between each for both sides.

Does the world really need another piece of audio jewelry disguised as a record cleaner? Where should I put it - next to my Porsche design stainless steel and lucite hand mop?

This looks like an interesting way to clean records. But, based only on my cursory look at their web site, I question whether this system will clean very dirty (aka typical garage sale) records very well. I doubt that the microfibre pad (called a cleaning tape) will clean all the way to the bottom of the grooves. This might be a great system for keeping new and pristine records in top shape for playing, but not for this boy at the prices listed.

Jtsamarinda, it is not funny what you experienced. Although I have a better history with my unit I do believe you. 4 month waiting period is "no service at all".

As you are a little troubled with this very sophisticated German product you may try another new star at the sky - the LR1. LR means "lautlos rein", translated in Englísh: "silently clean". you find this machine which I have no experience with under: www.lautlos-rein.de

good luck

Yes, As mention it is the best machine for cleaning vinyl records. I had a VPI17F, Loricraft and Keith Monk( Also with bad after sale service from UK the guy does not answer any email only phone calls if he is around) out of the window went the Keith Monks.The machine will not be perfected unless it users better design or less complex electronics. I think after spending $3000 you would like the machine would be a breeze with good after sales service.It looks like I have to do to fix the bugs in the machine.Yesterday made mods to the second machine so be more reliable. And still waiting for the RA# number from US distrubutor.
Tgb I thing you did the right thing by sending it back. As a consumer you need better than that for service instead of most of it's 2 year warrenty up and down the workshop.

Jtsamarinda, as I said before I loved the machine and it did a great cleaning job, without my involvement, but it stopped rotating the records. I returned it with regret. It is complicated, so I would have expected bugs, but it sounds like it is still being perfected.

Hi! Vinylfriend, the serial number is at the bottom of the machine written with a marker pen. And if you still got the packing box it's marked on the 2nd box.Mine was a early S/No.4X a friend of mine sold me an later model S/No.4XX which he bought in December 2010.For he was pissed of with the service he had with the manufacture in Germany.Now I am waiting to get an RA# number and I had call Germany many times answering machine and e-mail to Reiner no responces. I could not fix this one S/No:4X as the drive motor which turns the record ceased and blew up the IC power module and part of the PCB.I have written to a US distrubutor and I am waiting for him to send me Return Authorization and he is contacting Germany.To date 4 days ago have not recived any thing yet.My friend who sold me his faulty machine had it repaired in Germany with a turn around of 4 months to get it back.And after he got it back not long it broke down. The following issue on the Audio Desk RCM:Water will not fill the tank area.Record will not spin due to rollers.Record will not spin due to motor drive mechanics jammed.The most common is record would not spin due to rollers.And on the earlier model S/No. if you put a 200gm record its hard on the rollers thus the rollers came a part.Also there is no heat sink on the IC module amplifiers on earlier model. If you have the latest model there are mod which was done by the factory which I had advise the manufacture after I had fix my earlier faults with the machine.
How many of you guy had faults with the system care to share the problems.Any one

Anybody tried the Moth?

Hi guys, how do you check th serial number of your unit? I want to know if mine is current.

Thanks!

Jtasmarinda,
you really had a bad experience. I did receive one of the first units (so Series I) at High End 2010 in Munich. It is true we had to change the chip once and also use a different fluid mixture. Since then I have washed over 400 records without any problem.

I do own the Source Odyssee MK V with two brushes as one of the first customers in Germany too and will not give away this wonderful and very precise machine. But those two machines on one`s washing table are a perfect match for all needs- Washing Heaven !

Jtsamarinda, you have been very stoic. I loved the convenience of the Vinyl Cleaner and wish I could buy a reliable one. Please continue to tell us of your saga.

Hi! Tbg,
I had the production No:5X not rotating fix that, than water was not filling the tank, replace IC power amp. Lastly would not rotate and smoke came out, motor drive gear box jammed, cause the IC amp to go overload blew that IC into half.
I got another unit production No:4XX would not rotate fix that problem.There are sum inprovement e.g spring load drive which now take 200gm and 100gm records. The earlier model had problem with 100gm to thin would not rotate and 200gm would not rotate as was too thick and later the drive roller wheels came off.There are some change on the drive chain for the micro rollers and brass pin stoppers for the record.Other than that it's the same machine for that price of $3000 the part don't worth $200 for it. I am waiting for RA# for my No:5X to be fixed to date have not recived any reply to countless e-mails and phone calls to Germany. The guy had an good idea but did not follow up on realiablty and another on user friendly to fix it the system is all seal with PCV sheet the only area could work on it was the electronics.If I do not get an RA# from them I will machine the bottom part of the unite and repair the drive motor gears and reattach it with PCV sheet of the same type.

... and learned that the second production run had greatly improved the cleaner"

A true audiophile Product.
Did the owners of the first generation get a refund?

Jtsamarinda, I had a problem with my Vinyl Cleaner not rotating the record. I had a talk with the Cable Company and learned that the second production run had greatly improved the cleaner. I have not retried it, but still remember that it did a great job and was so easy to use.

Re: On the Audio Desk, it's a great machine when it works properly. I had a number of issues with it when I purchase it from a US distributor in 2009 after a few months with only less than 40 records it has problems with water not filling into the wash tank. To save the cost of shipping I decided to fix it me own. Than used it sparingly for the next few months the record would not spin.Fixed that problem. Than late last year 2010 it would not turn a record and smoke came out found that the power amplifier blew a part and the drive motor jamed damage PCB. This I had no choice but to send it back to Germany I have been sending many e-mails for RA# and calling them up but to no responces. I think he has lots of failure on this machine that he does not responced to customer. Very poor service and pissed off with the backup service. I have friends who shipped the unit back to Germany and had a turn around of 4 months.And it has a 2 year warrenty on it.

Ical, this is more serious than the problem I had.

Peterayer, you took me aback with the question of timing for the Walker enzyme treatment. I allow 30 seconds for this stage at the recommendation of Lloyd Walker. I can see that allowing 10 minutes per side would take a long time.

Long ago with the original VPI, I got a tiny piece of metal caught in the nylon pads and deeply scratched several records. I really didn't want to ever use such a device after that. Ultimately I ended up with a Loricraft and diligently advanced the string every record. But it took forever to clean records with the four step Walker cleaner.

I then learned about the Walker delrin tube which just replaced the entire tube on the VPI. This tube has no nylon pads and greatly increases the vacuum level allowing one rotation to be sufficient. Walker got it from a friend of mine and perfected it. It is no longer available as its manufacturing was too time consuming. This is a shame as it is very effective and quick. Perhaps Harry Weisfeld could use it on his VPI cleaners and find a quicker method for its manufacturing. I see and hear no evidence of it having any impact on the record.

Hi Tbg.

The LP is rotating but not the cleaning barrels which I've problem with.

Tbg,
I guess our experience differs. I use the AIVS four-step solutions and find I need to give the enzyme soak about 10 minutes which makes the whole process very long. Do you find the Walker enzyme soak sufficient after just one minute?

I also had the VPI 16.5 but gave it up because of the extreme noise and the felt arm wand becoming dirty. I never tried the Walker delrin tube but read here on Audiogon that some people had questions about it being safe for the record surface. Those who have tried it like it very much. Is it still available?

Ical, I would call Audiodesk. I think all you need is new glue.

Petrayer, in my review of the Audiodesk I found it consistently improved LPs previously cleaned with the Loricraft or the other machine I had at the time a VPI 16.5 with a delrin tube in place of the normal VPI tube. Then I cleaned a record first cleaned with the Audiodesk and found that a second cleaning with the VPI improved it. This has only one conclusion, I think, both cleaners do only partial cleaning.

The Audiodesk is much, much more convenient but is much more expensive than the VPI. I retain it. With the delrin tube it cleans off the liquid in but one rotation, meaning that I can clean both sides of a record with the four fluid routine of the Walker Prelude in five minutes. It is clearly superior to the Loricraft or the Keith Monks.

If you want speed and convenience, buy the AudioDesk system. If you want audibly cleaner LPs and don't mind the time, buy a point nozzle type (Loricraft, Monk, Odyssey). The results are in the listening.

It just a few months old so it should be new version. I bought mine from a shop in Singapore where I live. Sad to say the distributor here are not very helpful about it and it will not be jusify for me to pay the return shipping cost to Germany. As some have mentioned, it's a very nice machine when it's working, but now it not. Sent a few emails to Audiodesk and there's no response at all. A real disappointment.

Ical, I did and returned my review sample. I was told that it was the glue holding them and had been fixed. Is yours an older one?

My unit rollers are not rotating! Has anyone experienced this problem? Send an email to Audiodesk Systeme but no response.

I had this unit and had one problem with it, which I was told have to resolved. Ultimately, my unit stopped rotating the record as one of the drive capstans got loose and did not turn. Other than this and an occasional instance of not really getting the lips in the upward position, it was perfectly functional and certainly the most convenient record cleaner I have used.

Can you guys elaborate on what problems you have with the unit?

Syntax, I assume you had the old version of the Keith Monks. How would you compare the Odyssey with it? I understand that it is much faster. I had the Loricraft for several years. When I went to using the Walker Prelude four step cleaning, which I found most effective, it was taking me 15 minute per record to clean them!!!! I now have the VPI 16.5 with the Walker Delrin tube that vacuums the fluid off in one rotation, so the total cleaning time is down to less than five minutes. I still do twenty at a time, however, since the enzyme fluid has a limited life.

Honestly, most problems will be shown when a lot of records have to cleaned.
Audiophiles who can afford the expensive units mostly have new records with some dust in it. No big deal normally.
I thought about that unit too but I didn't follow the idea when I thought about it. My problem is, I owned a Keith Monks for some time, now the german counterpart - Odyssey - and I closed that chapter. Cleaning time is no priority for me. Thanks for your experience.

Hi Madfoyd,
I to have gone through 3 units in 6 months & finally gave up.
Extremely frustrating to say the least.

The distributor also took way to long to get me another unit each time the new one failed.
Also frustrating as well.

I must say that the unit ( when working ) performed very well & I would have loved to keep it.
I will wait for another manufacture to come out with something just as fast & more reliable or just keep using my VPI.. which of course just takes to damn long.

BTW the last one was their latest & supposedly better design with all the upgrades. Yea right!