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Kirmuss users, what do you find?

I bought a nearly new Kirmuss record "restoration" system from a widow of an audiophile. 


I mostly wanted it for the machine, but had to try his method just out of curiosity. 
I followed the instructions, apart from the "Aftercare" section, which was influenced by the AudioPhile Man review (pt 2)


I got YUGE globs of stuff on my stylus after playing just 1 side of a "restored" record. OK, maybe I’ve not cleaned it enough? The record went back in for 2 more cleanings with the surfactant and ultrasonic bath for 5 min each time. Still ended up with a ball of something on my stylus. 

I next used my other method, which was to scrub up a different record with some Audio Intelligent #6, 5 min ultrasonic bath, then dried with the Record Doctor. 
Just a touch of lint (probably airborne that landed on the record) after 1 side. 

I will say the sound of the record was noticeably improved with the Kirmuss chemicals, but I feel that this substance is NOT being completely removed with the ultrasonic bath. 

Any users out there that can share their experience?  

traudio

Showing 3 responses by dwette

dwette
321 posts
 

I have a Kirmuss machine and also had the problem with globs of junk on the stylus when I followed his procedure to the letter (including studying his Youtube video).

I decided the whole Dr. Kirmuss thing is B.S. and overly cumbersome. Now I use the Kirmuss instead with Tergikleen as a prewash for soiled used records, followed by a DW rinse in my Degritter II. That works far, far better, and never causes build up of any kind on my stylus. I now only use the Kirmuss machine that way. 

Not to mention his cleaning fluid is ridiculously expensive. I never used all the machine came with originally, but I knew I was never going to pay the $100 or so for the small refill bottle.

dwette
321 posts
 

@lubachl 

whether it is the Kirmuss unit or whatever, there is no way the unit can add gunk to your record.  Water and alcohol cannot physically deposit anything on your record.  I am not sure what is going on with the cleaning process in your case but I would be hesitant to blame the machine.  Just saying... 

No, @traudio  is not mistaken or wrong. The "official" Kirmusss process really does cause that problem. I noticed it to, and I’m a very experienced user of cleaning machines and processes. I think the issue is that the Kirmuss system leaves residue on the records. There is no plain water rinse in the process. It even calls for spraying the record with a Kirmuss provided spritz bottle after cleaning, and that’s the problem. That is why I called out the Kirmuss process upstream as B.S. and said I abandoned it. For the very reason it leaves something on the record.

In my opinion, a proper record cleaning regimen only takes away dirt. It should never add anything that isn’t removed before the end of the cleaning process. Kirmuss isn’t that. This is why I always end my record cleaning with a run through a Degritter II with nothing but DW in the tank.

dwette
321 posts
 

Told her about the gunk built up on the needle when using the Kirmuss fluid. She said, "there's too much Propylene Glycol in your surfactant solution then".

LOL. Kirmuss got busted!

He never would tell anyone what's he's a "doctor" of. Apparently, nothing. LOL

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