Record Cleaning Machine ~ Ultrasonic vs. Rest
As title suggests, those of you who have switched to Ultrasonic RCM, did you find records that were previously suffered from dust and grime or noise now spins clean as whistle.
I am currently using a Pro-Ject VC-S2 with their recommended cleaning solution to clean my records which requires some efforts on my part. I don’t mind the process but still can’t get some of the records to play cleanly. Does this mean, user error or some records are just inherently noisy and buying an Ultrasonic machine like Degritter Mark II or KL Audio won’t make them play any quieter.
Did you find a process that works well for those stubborn noisy records. I don’t mind assuming the role of a pro dishwasher for handful of records..LOL!
At the end of the day, I am looking for this process to be fully automated thus my desire to consider an Ultrasonic machine that does it all.
I'd say the Degritter provides the icing on the cake, with a Loricraft getting things nearly fully clean. If one of them fails (and we know which is more likely to—I've had the Loricraft for 12 years and I have worked it hard, whereas U/S machines don't tend to last that long), I'll be happy to use just the survivor. If a record is noisy after I've cleaned it I know it isn't dirt, and the fact is not all will become silent. But if full automation is your goal, then U/S is the way to go. |
It's a question of how clean, isn't it? I use a cleaning solution with surfactant on the Loricraft, followed by a DW rinse. Then the Degritter with just DW, relying on cavitation for any further cleaning. Since Degritter recommends changing water every 20-30 disks, I'd rather remove the majority of crud with the vacuum machine and not contaminate the Degritter's tank with any more of it than necessary. If I changed the water after every disk, which might seem the counsel of perfection, I'd be running my water distiller every day to provide enough. Just a matter of finding a trade-off that one can be comfortable with. |
BTW, @lalitk , do you know of the connection between Loricraft and Garrard (apart from current ownership)? Terry O'Sullivan founded Loricraft Audio to manufacture plinths for Garrards, but later bought Percy Wilson's designs for a point-source vacuum cleaner and started making them as well. Later still he bought the rights to Garrard turntables after they went out of business in Swindon. He was based in Baydon, just a few miles from where I was born and grew up in Chiseldon, Wiltshire. A very helpful man and a delight to chat to. I hope SME keep up the standards. |
