Post by sub on Jul 22, 2017 15:43:02 GMT 12
Taken time off from cleaning to listen to the results. Been focussing on some recent 2nd hand finds, and continue to be super impressed.
Without exception the surfaces are clean and silent, except here and there a minor very quiet click - but only on one track on one record so far.
Not listening at very loud levels - volume dial around 9.30. Not only silent surfaces but the sonics/sound quality is spot on.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 26, 2017 13:26:56 GMT 12
The only downside is that sometimes I think they sound a bit "digital" but that may just be a level of clarity I haven't heard from the LP before. Some (eg L'Art du Son) say that alcohol-based cleaning fluids impart a 'glaze' to the tone. US cleaning using pure detergent/surfactant also seems to 'energise' the HF presence a little & esp low level resolution - but this is combined (IMO) also with an increased level of dynamic freedom, which seems to open up the power & scale a bit, providing a good balance.
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Post by Citroen on Jul 26, 2017 17:22:33 GMT 12
I switched from alcohol based homemade cleaner to L'Art du Son about two years ago.
I liked the resulting sound. Maybe it was this lack of 'glaze'.
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Post by sub on Jul 28, 2017 19:43:57 GMT 12
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 28, 2017 22:52:49 GMT 12
Yes I saw one of those in there. It looks like it is non-motorised rotation (unless I was mistaken, I only had a cursory look over). All plastic, except metal spindle, but appears quite solid.
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Post by Citroen on Aug 15, 2017 19:09:26 GMT 12
FYI Owen Y, Owen I've had a few rotation problems lately and it seems the plastic fabricated insert was dethreading. Easy fix with some glue. 
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 15, 2017 19:34:00 GMT 12
Ohh....it was Araldite epoxy-glued. Maybe the shaft jammed somehow & the mtr wound it off?
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 15, 2017 19:39:20 GMT 12
Maybe also degrease it before re-gluing. Sometimes such rods have oil residue on them (we usually clean them now.)
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Post by cooksferry on Aug 16, 2017 7:29:36 GMT 12
Looks very much like this one. It would appear to be manual operation which would be a non starter for me. www.isonicinc.com/p4875
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Post by guitardude on Aug 16, 2017 9:20:54 GMT 12
Yes all this thread says to me is" Keep saving until you can afford a proper one"
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 16, 2017 9:45:44 GMT 12
Yes all this thread says to me is" Keep saving until you can afford a proper one" You could also not listen to music until you can afford a 'proper' music system  Seriously, an Audio Desk Systeme Vinyl Cleaner will cost you US$4,000 - fully automatic & very good I believe. But this setup cleans better than any conventional cleaner I've used (Nitty Gritty, Keith Monks) & the anionic detergent/surfactant mix is chemically the best IMO for regular cleaning (also sounds better)- however, there is no drying in-built. Incidentally, my Nitty Gritty would overheat after a few cycles, whereas this cleaner can run all day cooksferry - the RG cleaner is plastic but looks solid & yes, is non-motorised.
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 16, 2017 9:50:19 GMT 12
FYI Owen Y, Owen I've had a few rotation problems lately and it seems the plastic fabricated insert was dethreading. Easy fix with some glue. Our 2nd batch of 10 has all shipped, but I have the same drive-shaft on my own cleaner which we can swap, if you wish to drop by. Otherwise, a 3rd batch of parts should be done in a fortnight or so.
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Post by guitardude on Aug 16, 2017 10:05:45 GMT 12
Hi Owen,
I suppose the thing for me is that ive never had a huge issue with record cleaning, having used the "dishes" method from very early on. I've also made a point of using new inner sleeves post cleaning. Over the last year I've switched to an Okki Nokki which does much the same job but quicker and simpler. Would I notice an improvement with an US cleaner ? Yes possibly, but as you correctly point out, a proper system would also show an improvement.
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 16, 2017 11:43:18 GMT 12
For years I hated cleaning records, I just never got around to it, records piled up next to the cleaner. This system is more convenient, I find, but ideally you need a space somewhere elsewhere in the house.
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Post by cooksferry on Aug 16, 2017 12:38:05 GMT 12
For years I hated cleaning records, I just never got around to it, records piled up next to the cleaner. This system is more convenient, I find, but ideally you need a space somewhere elsewhere in the house. I've followed this thread with a lot of interest as I've wanted to update my KAB vacuum unit. It works fine but its a pain to have to drag out the vacuum cleaner and attach everything up and my wife isn't too happy about moisture going into the cleaner. There are times when the record selected does need a clean, not worth while connecting up the KAB so its been Spray and Wipe time. One thing I dont have though is spare space for a US machine. I can barely fit the MX5 in the garage. In the end I've went with one of the new Project cleaners, not the cheapest choice but the size will allow it to fit into a corner or under the TV stand in my music room. The other factor was that I'm lazy, hate sitting down doing bundles of records but it'll be nice having something that I can quickly spin an album through a cycle and straight onto the TT.
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Post by sub on Aug 16, 2017 12:39:00 GMT 12
I've had a manual Nitty Gritty RCM for years, and hardly used it - it is labour intensive, noisy & a real PITA!
I have the Ultrasonic machine permanently set up in my shed - well a bit more than a shed as it was lived in by original builders of my home for a few years before they built their permanent home. I also store the bulk of my record collection there.
Not only is the ultrasonic much easier to use, it is relatively quiet, cleans three LPs at a time, and does a much better job than the Nitty Gritty. More than happy with it.
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Post by Citroen on Aug 16, 2017 14:39:05 GMT 12
Yes all this thread says to me is" Keep saving until you can afford a proper one" I've never cleaned so many records so quickly and easily before, and this is when compared to using a double sided vacuum cleaner. It may be DIY but its certainly a "proper" cleaner.
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Post by Citroen on Aug 16, 2017 14:43:08 GMT 12
Ohh....it was Araldite epoxy-glued. Maybe the shaft jammed somehow & the mtr wound it off? Yes, my fault trying to push too many (out of recommendation) in the cleaner at once. LPs jammed up on the side of the tank because of too many records. Reglueing (and putting less lps in the cleaner!) should be fine Owen.
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Post by michaelw on Aug 16, 2017 14:53:44 GMT 12
For years I hated cleaning records, I just never got around to it, records piled up next to the cleaner. This system is more convenient, I find, but ideally you need a space somewhere elsewhere in the house. I've followed this thread with a lot of interest as I've wanted to update my KAB vacuum unit. It works fine but its a pain to have to drag out the vacuum cleaner and attach everything up and my wife isn't too happy about moisture going into the cleaner. There are times when the record selected does need a clean, not worth while connecting up the KAB so its been Spray and Wipe time. One thing I dont have though is spare space for a US machine. I can barely fit the MX5 in the garage. In the end I've went with one of the new Project cleaners, not the cheapest choice but the size will allow it to fit into a corner or under the TV stand in my music room. The other factor was that I'm lazy, hate sitting down doing bundles of records but it'll be nice having something that I can quickly spin an album through a cycle and straight onto the TT. the project vcs is great value at under $1k
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 16, 2017 15:10:40 GMT 12
I wasn't familiar with the Pro-Ject V-CS, it looks good. I see that it uses a non-alcohol fluid - also good.
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Post by cooksferry on Aug 16, 2017 15:14:14 GMT 12
I've followed this thread with a lot of interest as I've wanted to update my KAB vacuum unit. It works fine but its a pain to have to drag out the vacuum cleaner and attach everything up and my wife isn't too happy about moisture going into the cleaner. There are times when the record selected does need a clean, not worth while connecting up the KAB so its been Spray and Wipe time. One thing I dont have though is spare space for a US machine. I can barely fit the MX5 in the garage. In the end I've went with one of the new Project cleaners, not the cheapest choice but the size will allow it to fit into a corner or under the TV stand in my music room. The other factor was that I'm lazy, hate sitting down doing bundles of records but it'll be nice having something that I can quickly spin an album through a cycle and straight onto the TT. the project vcs is great value at under $1k I've been following reviews etc on it since release and they appear to have ironed out a few minor quibbles that early adopters had.
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Post by Citroen on Aug 16, 2017 21:01:49 GMT 12
Mine was never garaged. Survived for 235,000 km, until recently.
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Post by cooksferry on Aug 17, 2017 7:41:38 GMT 12
Mine was never garaged. Survived for 235,000 km, until recently. Mine gets the garage and wife's Corolla gets the drive way, priorities.
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Post by Owen Y on Sept 25, 2017 9:59:42 GMT 12
Chaps - it looks like our 3rd batch of Ultrasonic Record Cleaner kits will be packed ready to ship this week. All parts are here - new lasercuts, shafts, screws, washers, bearings, knobs, spacers. Price is still NZ$175 + postage. A couple left at this stage. 
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Post by sub on Nov 12, 2017 9:00:24 GMT 12
I continue to be amazed at the difference the US RCM makes.
A couple of examples. Among some recently purchased 2nd hand records was Chopin Etudes Opus 23, Guiomar Novaes pianist, on VOX PL 7560, from 1953! Despite the records age it cleaned up well and plays mostly silent, with the odd click here and there but hardly noticeable.
Secondly, a copy of Berlioz, Te Deum, Davis, LSO & chorus, a French 1964 pressing on Philips 6500 217. To the naked eye the Record looked clean and in mint condition, so played it with just a rudimentary clean. The record claimed to be the winner of a “Grand Prix National Du Disque” award so was expecting something special. However, it was dull and lifeless. Put it through the US RCM, and the magic was back, it was vibrant and thrilling.
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Post by Owen Y on Nov 23, 2017 7:52:04 GMT 12
I have been experimenting with using an aquarium filter. The tank fluid mix accumulates visible detritus after numerous cleans, yet the detergent remains active, un-depleted. Not expensive ($30-odd on TrMe) but additional paraphernalia attached to the tank. It takes only a few mins to clear the water of debris but the filter foam is not super fine screening, like say a carbon drinking filter.  
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Post by Owen Y on Nov 23, 2017 14:02:47 GMT 12
The main downsides so far are: - the lid doesn't fit tightly any more, allowing fluid to evaporate annoyingly quickly. - the filter & hose circuit requires an extra volume of fluid.
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Post by sub on Dec 12, 2017 16:54:59 GMT 12
Been meaning to ask for a little while, any one else have a problem with the machines vibrations causing the top plate to slide back causing the records to make contact with the back edge of the tank and stalling the rotisserie motor?
A little annoying as it means I need to pay attention for the whole cleaning cycle instead of putting my nose in a magazine!
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 12, 2017 18:34:55 GMT 12
sub - this can happen if the 4 x 'rivnuts' on the drop-down flanges underneath are not tight against the tank sides. Try bending the 2 side flanges inward a bit, so the the frame is tighter when sliding onto the tank.
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Post by sub on Dec 14, 2017 17:41:56 GMT 12
sub - this can happen if the 4 x 'rivnuts' on the drop-down flanges underneath are not tight against the tank sides. Try bending the 2 side flanges inward a bit, so the the frame is tighter when sliding onto the tank. Thanks Owen, that worked perfectly.
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