to buy or not to buy (ultrasonic record cleaner)

"doesn't clean down to the 2-5 microns in the bottom of the groves"
An elliptical stylus is 0.2mm to 0.7mm. 2-5 microns is 0.002-0.005mm.
The stylus does not go anywhere near this. 
https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/gallery/image/22429
And, the oily natural surface of an LP is needed to lubricate the groves.
It is necessary to keep some oil in the groves. The KM fluid is highly refined to leave the "right" amount of oil.
A major benefit of the KM RCM it that it cleans near 100% of the excess dirt. Whereas the ultrasonic method circulates all the dirt in the fluid. And then blow dries the residual on the record. Most don't change the fluid very often. And how it takes 5-10 minutes instead of 1 1/2 minutes of the KM.

I didn’t like the sonic signature of the Monks fluid. I use a Hannl fluid which is no longer made and will eventually have to find another fluid. I also use AIVS #15 for a deeper clean, agitating with a unidirectional pad applicator that came with Lloyd Walker’s Prelude kit (you can buy replacement pads, but unfortunately, not the applicator, separately). I do use the Monks brushes for the Hannl fluid and for the rinse stage. I think the rinse is critical.
After pre-cleaning, I use the KL ultrasonic and if I’m really concerned about the results, will dry via the Monks using a little more high grade water.
I think the combination of methods- essentially manual cleaning, combined with vacuum, and ultrasonic, with appropriate rinse steps, is synergistic. I’m agnostic as to product brands-- I’m looking for results. I’ve gone through a lot of records and have a pretty good regimen that I’m satisfied with, but am always open to learning.
I’m also not about ritual or voodoo-- if you can get a record clean, and remove the contaminants including those bound up with the cleaning fluid so you are not leaving a residue on the record, you should be good-- even without spending a lot of money on fancy equipment. The equipment is a convenience. I like the Monks and it is one machine I’ll keep. I like the KL too for that matter, but most ultrasonics eventually die or need parts that aren’t readily obtainable. DIY ultrasonic makes a lot of sense. For those folks that don’t want the trouble, the Degritter is apparently the current fav and I’ve heard almost uniformly positive comments about it. As mentioned, I’ll go industrial when the KL finally dies (not that I’m wishing for that, it has served me well).

Hi all, 
Robert here, 
I started a similar thread on AK, especially since I'm seeing the machines on Ebay starting to hit the sub $300 mark. 

Here is the one thing no one else has brought up. 

Your dedicated record cleaner/vacuum system is just that. An Ultrasonic cleaner might be an easier thing to rationalize purchasing because it can be used to clean other things, eyeglasses, jewelry, dentures, alfa romeo parts, etc. 

It isn't a one trick pony.

Well I won’t read thru all of these responses so if I’m repeating something I apologize. A couple weeks ago I broke down and purchased a Degritter and am never looking back. The ease of use, the maintenance (it tells you what it needs), quieter than a vacuum system, etc.. Oh yes it cleans marvelously to. And from feedback that I get from the outfit I purchased from, it’s very dependable which I can’t say about the Audiodesk and the KLA is not around anymore. Hell you can even make your own filters, experiment with other record cleaning potions ( Paul Rigby’s videos on surfactants are great on the subject of cleaning your lp’s)
I’ve owned a VPI 16.5 but got rid of it decades ago. Too noisy , large, and ugly. But I have a Spin Kleen and a Record doctor record Vacuum. I also have the German made Disco Anti-Stat cleans better than a Spin Kleen but more difficult to use. If somone came up with a set of goat hair brushes for the Spin Kleen that would really be nice. Something about goats hair brushes seem superior to synthetic bristles. Paul Rigby uses the term attrition to describe the cleaning effect, an effect similar to the explosive action of cavitation bubbles. You can give it a try for a lot less money than a Degritter. Or wait for the HuminBird cavitation cleaner. I’m curious to see how well that works and for $400.00.
But right now, I used to have to clear off my dining table, put out the machines and the various cleaners, concoctions and maybe I could get thru three lp’s in an hour plus wearing earplugs (the noise). If I have an lp that’s really filthy I might pre clean it. But the Degritter I can just pop in a record and comeback when done. It sits on a small table. I can be doing most anything else while cleaning lp’s and not annoy the significant other or myself for that matter. But hey, if you like messing around with the cleaning process and apparently quite a few people on YouTube do, then go right ahead. I’m getting too old. I cleaned fifty records in the first week and not even a full week on the heavy cleaning setting and it keeps count of how many records you washed. I was so surprised. Need I say more?