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ultrasound record cleaning machine damaged my records

I recently purchased an ultrasound record cleaning machine. For reasons which I hope you understand I won’t name brands, because I am not wanting to make bad publicity to anyone but to discuss the matter. 

Previously, I had anather ultrasound machine which broke. I cleaned more than a 1000 records with it, with no concerns at all. The machine broke and, due to its steep price, I decided to go for a less costly solution. 

With the new machine I cleaned 7 records. One of themLeonard Cohen’s “New Skin for the old ceremony”. When listening to “Chelsea Hote”, I remarked a distortion that wasn’t there before. IT was clear on the low notes, like the instrument being out of focus or vibrating. I had some old very worn records which had that problem due to bad stylus. At first I started to think that there was a problem with the stylus of my Lyra Atlas. So I went to another version of the same album I have at home, to check if there was a problem with the stylus. Clean passage. No problem at all. 

As on the previous cleaned record I noticed a similar problem, not so apparent, I decided to clean the second version of the LP on the new machine. Playing it i heard  the same distortion on the same music. Checking out all the 7 records I cleaned, I heard issues on all of them, some less apparent ( the mono ones) and some more appparent. 

I couldn’t believe it but the new machine was damaging my records. 

The combination of my atlas and my SME 312 arm gives some “needle talk” - music heard when with everything muted you put your hear next to the stylus on the record. Doing it, I heard the same rumble distortion that was being amplified by the system. 

 

I used distilled water (not a new one but one which was opened for the previous machine) but it was clear clean. I put the exact amount of surfactant liquid on the mixture of distilled water. I kept all the operating instruction rules. I don’t understand what is wrong, but the fact is this machines damages the grooves on the record. 

 

Does anyone had this problem before? Any help provided?

 

Note: I already contacted the dealer who sold it  and I am going to see him next week. It is a very good a solid dealer.  It I’d like to hear your opinion. 

 

Best regards,

128x128pfmaudio
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cleeds
5,912 posts
 
antinn

The machine @pfmaudio is using based on the power, kHz and volume is a well-known unit (he has decided not to disclose the OEM ...

That doesn’t make sense. Something cannot be "well known" and undisclosed at the same time.

cundare2
255 posts
 

IMHO, the OP really should have considered revealing the make & model of the cleaner, liquids used, etc.  I understand & respect the rationale of not initially wanting to criticize a specific manufacturer without knowing if the mfr is at fault, but in this case, that seems inappropriate. 

Even if the problem occurs only during a specific use case, it does a disservice to  the community to conceal the details.  Many of us may have the same model or may be about to do whatever it is that specifically damaged the OP's records.  And those of us who do duplicate that use case without a problem should be given the opportunity to say so.

But if there is a real product-specific issue, that should not be concealed, nor should a manufacturer of a defective product, or one that publishes risky procedures, be encouraged to continue without addressing the issue.  If the OP's experience is rare, due to an isolated product defect, or even the OP's own fault, that fact would be more likely to come out in the thread if we know the details.

But if this is a legitimate product issue that affects all units, reporting the issue in detail without giving readers a way to know whether their own systems are vulnerable, or even giving the mfr a chance to evaluate and rectify the issue, doesn't get anyone anywhere.  E.g., if someone reading this thread reports a similar problem, we wouldn't even know if the issue can occur in more than one model of ultrasonic -- a crucial fact for armchair-analysts trying to understand exactly what is happening.

Just my 2c, but worth considering.

dclone
4 posts
 

I do agree totally with @cundare2 in the post above. I am in the process of buying a second US rcm to place in my summerhouse. In my permanent house I use a Degritter and never have encounterd any problems. For the summerhouse I am looking at a cheaper US rcm to replace my old Okki Nokki. Now I do not dare to buy one of the ones I have been looking at the records in the summerhouse are carefully choosen so I do not want them destroyed in any way So, please @pfmaudio, do provide us with more detailed information as the majority of answering members are wanting. I do not think I am alone hesitating right now..

macg19
881 posts
 

Based on the specs it sounds like a Humminguru which is touchless. I bought one after my Audio Desk died.

I’ve cleaned maybe 30 records with it, does a good job, no issues.

The only thing I can think of is maybe very old vinyl gets brittle and cannot withstand the US? Or your unit is faulty.

As an aside, my thought is you only need to US clean a record once. After that a brush before each play should be good enough.

dwcda
116 posts
 

That doesn’t make sense. Something cannot be "well known" and undisclosed at the same time.

Sure it can. Based on the specs it can be a well known RCM. If I said I'm having trouble with my amp and don't want to say what the make is but it has prominently colored VU meters, you'd say it's well known though undisclosed by me. I'm guessing based on the specs it's a Humminguru.

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