Record Cleaning Machines


Has anyone out there done an A/B comparison of the cleaning results or efficacy using the Degritter ultra sonic record cleaning machine which operates at 120 kHz/300 watts and an ultrasonic cleaner that operates at 40 kHz/300 or 380 watts (e.g. Audio Desk; CleanerVinyl; the Kirmuss machine; etc.)?  I have a system I put together using CleanerVinyl equipment, a standard 40 kHz ultrasonic tank and a Knosti Disco-Antistat for final rinse.  I clean 3 records at a time and get great results.  Surface noise on well cared for records (only kind I have) is virtually totally eliminated, sound comes from a totally black background and audio performance is noticeably improved in every way.  Even though the Degritter only cleans 1 record at a time, it seems significantly easier to use, more compact and relatively quick, compared to the system I have now.  I'm wondering if the Degritter's 120 kHz is all that much more effective, if at all, in rendering better audio performance than the standard 40 kHz frequency.  I don't mind, at all, spending a little extra time cleaning my records if the audio results using the Degritter are not going to be any different.  I'm not inclined to spend three grand for a little more ease & convenience and to save a few minutes.  However, if I could be assured the Degritter would render better audio performance results, even relatively small improvements, that would be a whole other story.
oldaudiophile

Showing 1 response by orthomead

@oldaudiophile years ago when I was looking at a 40khz unit (which I bought) I scoured the internet regarding the safety of ultrasonic cleaning.  I read a report of an audiophile who took a record he didn't care for and cleaned it ultrasonically over 100 times with a similar unit. He never saw any debris in the tank and reported no loss of sonic quality. So, I think we are ok with multiple cleanings if necessary.  I have cleaned my records with several different modalities and have never noted a degradation in sonic quality, only improvements.  I did recently purchase a Degritter and use it as a final step and believe I see an improvement in sonic texture and imaging, not so much pops and ticks.  These lps have meticulously cared for and cleaned prior to the degritter and if you have a revealing system, I think you will be pleased. If you have a local dealer a test drive might help, but the improvement will unlikely be earth shattering with an lp that is already cleaned.  I have a very revealing system and have seen improvements with records that have already been cleaned with a VPI, 40 khz US, and a clearaudio double matrix.  There is a utube video from Suncoast Audio demonstrating the improvement with a Degritter on an lp that was previously cleaned with the double matrix.  Hope this helps.