Audio Desk Record Cleaner-Anyone buy one yet


I may never get to own one of these due to the price, but if I could I would say that it may the best upgrade to any analog system. I had the opportunity recently to have a couple of records cleaned on one. The two Lp's I had cleaned are one of many copies I have purchased thru the years in search of a good clean copy. The title is the 2 disk set "Renaissance Live at Carnegie Hall". I took one of my copies over in hopes that I would get back that sought after clean copy. However I will preface my comments about the Audio Desk with the cold hard fact that once a record reaches a level of surface noise and contamination, nothing can make it new again. However once the Audio Desk completed it's 8 minute process, the improvements were immediately evident. First thing to take notice of, absolutely the cleanest and shiniest black vinyl I think I have ever seen. The LP's looked better than new under light. But the real test is listening. As I have listened to the title many many times from my first copy back in the 70's and never on LP, CD or Imported CD have I heard the detail of the recording. On disk #1 the cleanest of the two the LP was much cleaner than I have been able to obtain on my VPI 16.5 using Walker 4 Step, Mobile Fidelity Enzime, L'Art Du son, and various other solutions. My guess is the Audio Desk cleaned an additional 50-70% of the surface noise from the album. The depth of information in the Annie Haslam's Vocals, the clarity of the Bass that I had written off as muddled recording failure was now revealing the individual notes each taking their own space in the music field. The orchestra was fully present and not crowded together as before. Now on to disk 2, the disappointment of permanantly damaged grooves was inescapable. However the music that came thru had much more information to re-write the recall of this recording burned in my memory from previous listening sessions. On Scherazade with the verbal introduction to the song, I heard instruments and voices in nthe back ground that I had never noticed before. Little plucks of strings and puffs on brass as the orchestra was making sure they were ready to perform. I will say that an additional cleaning of 20-30 percent of this album was still obvious but to my disappointment, the Audio Desk is not a miracle worker, but a pretty damn good magician. I think 3800.00 is a lot of money for just about anything these days, but is it worth the 3800.00? Yes if you value and love your record collection. I have an LP12 with many upgrades and Lyra Kleos Cartridge. This record cleaner is just 800.00 more than the cartridge and when I put the two in perspective they both can bring a much higher level of performance to your turntable. Unfortunatly you need both and I sadley can only afford one. The financial curse of audiophilia continues....
128x128theo
Thanks everyone. Just got mine last week, I'm 20 records into it. Interesting about the first cleaning with brushes idea to get off the mold release stuff. It's so convenient that I'm motivated to use it more, I have kept my Loricraft which I will use first for the dirtiest records. Will probably report back if I have more questions!
you mean the KL Audio ? The KL has no spinning terry cloth drums that make contact with the record like the Audio Deske. The audio deske uses 40 watt ultrasonic motors, the KL Audio 200 watt. The Audio Deske requires their cleaning solution to be added to the water, the KL uses straight water (distilled, ect) with no surfactants.
The KL is quieter. As I understand it the Audio Desk is better for mold, but I've never seen any.
Anyone use the Ultrasonic V8? It doesn't dry the records but at $1500 is quite a bit less expensive. Also cleans up to 8 LPs at a time. I talked to David who manufactures. I will also pre clean with a brush then the ultrasonic. I have quite a few LPs, none of which have been cleaned. Heck, they haven't even been played for 25 years,
I looked at about 200 today and the surfaces look pretty good. Back in the day we all took pride in handling and cleaning, you know with the old velvet discwasher and solution.
i'm so looking forward to cranking up the tunes. It's been a long time!