Thumbs up for ultrasonic record cleaning

I like the Kirmuss Audio cleaner because it uses a lower frequency (35Khz), lower temperature (95 degrees), common fluid (distilled water and a touch of alcohol), proper spacing for cleaning (Cleaner Vinyl Pro stack doesn’t permit cavitation bubbles to enter deep between records), does shellac 78s and 45s as well as 2 LPs at a time and cavitation to occur beneath and away from the records (not blasted at the surface like one $4500 machine). It doesn’t have scrubbing felt/brushes or other surfaces rather just a slight grip from lips to hold the record in place while it spins. It’s $800 for a fully finished machine. It does not dry but also doesn’t add static or dry dirt back to the surfaces.  Plus, the low cost of water/surfactant allows for no filtration and just refilling after a dozen washes.

Terry9-I think your method of US is using 10 C degree too hot water and 100% too high a cavitation frequency. Maybe that’s why you can’t hear the difference on 3-6 posting; however you state you did see and hear the difference using this method on 2-6 post.

I noticed that the Rushton cleaning method also limits the water temperature and the cavitation frequency.   It could be that his solution is important for better results.  This is an experiment I'm willing to try.  He also uses a VPI 16.5 to dry as I would.

I have about 25,000 LPs.  I've noticed that the LPs I cleaned 20 to 30 years ago using a stiff brush and Torumat fluid on a VPI 16.5 sound as good and clean as when I first cleaned them.  I'm playing them on a VPI VI/SME IV (mod)/Benz Ruby 3.  No increase in surface noise even after 100 playings of several of them.  Clean stylus and clean records make both last a long time.

I've purchased ebay records where the seller used the KLAudio.  The records are nearly mint; however, they are missing their highs.  Multiple copies (I've given six of them as gifts cleaned on a VPI 16.5) of the AMERICAN PERCUSSION SOCIETY PRICE URANIA have all got fantastic highs but the KLAudio cleaned copy is like someone filtered off the highs.  This is the third ebay US cleaned record I received sounding like the highs are missing.  A friend has the Audio Desk and mentioned that the KLAudio shoots the cavitation directly at the disc versus below the disc surface and wipes out the highs.  Kirmuss Audio claims the higher frequency and temperature can both harm the highs and warp the record.  Why take a chance on higher than necessary frequency and higher temperatures if reducing them is safer?  

terry9  The Kirmuss interview of his US is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKT5fvJ_otk starting at 45:25  Maybe the larger cavitation bubbles are necessary for 78s as is the lower temperature and greater distance between discs mentioned to be further apart for lower frequency agitation?  I have 7,000 78s and intend to someday clean them, record them through the SimplyVinyl Sugarcube declicker machine.  This would be ideal for a two-step noise reduction, US cleaning and then declicking.  

Maybe I’ll just stick to using Disc Doctor cleaner on a VPI 16.5 with Mobile Fidelity brushes, rinsing twice with distilled water. A Monks or Loricraft would be safe choice relative to the unknown potential damage of KLAudio and AudioDesk (and hassles to use). I cleaned records on Monks machines 30 years ago and they came out very clean. My friend owns an AudioDesk and said he chose it over the KLAudio because the cavitation bubbles were not directly hitting the record surface. He thought that was the reason for shearing off high frequencies and possibly distorting the vinyl grooves.  I tried his AudioDesk and found it didn't make a difference after cleaning using my VPI method, even in his system using a Caliburn turntable rig ($100,000s).  

Yes, I rinsed using the VPI 16.5.  The record was click and pop free with low surface noise.  It just lacked the sparkle (the disc has a ton of highs) of those other half dozen discs that were not cleaned via a US unit. 

I heard the a less than pristine pressing on the famous Von Schweikert Ultra 11/VAC 450 $1.4 million system.  That was the closest I've ever heard an audio system sound to the recording venue.  So exciting and musically interesting.  I highly recommend the Urania disc.  

Two other discs I purchased from different vendors also used a US machine to clean the discs and although they were quiet, they lacked high end too.   Why, I don't know but I'm afraid they did something wrong.  

US machines need felt lips to clean, filters to clean, changing tank fluids, etc.  My VPI 16.5 doesn't even have a tank (converted from a VPI 16 unit) and easy to clean felt lips.  The Monks/Loricraft has a tank to empty when it gets full and string to replace when the bobbin is empty.  I just think that there's more upkeep for a US machine.

I would like to hear from some experienced US user of the Kirmuss cleaner as well.

benjie-Why do you think Isonic chose such high temperatures?  They would warp the record and melt the grooves at 5 minutes at 140 degrees or thereabouts.  Maybe Kirmuss is smarter by lowering his temps.  Also, other's have commented that 35Khz is too low and that it should be 80Khz.  My friends tell me that lower is better...  This is making a decision more complicated.   I'm almost ready to buy a Monks or Loricraft record cleaning machine which I've used and liked but were too expensive prior to my purchasing the VPI.

About the degritter-120 Khz?  Totally opposite of other record cleaners on the market.  It is difficult from the site images to tell whether the US is aimed directly at the record or in the bath beneath it.  Good operating temperature and filter system.  Made in Estonia. Not actually local to me-expensive to ship for repairs.

Michael Fremer reinterviewed Mr. Kirmuss at the Munich show. A lot to think about after hearing the interview.  https://www.analogplanet.com/content/if-charles-kirmusss-record-cleaning-machine-and-regimen-correct...