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Rushton's DIY approach to ultrasonic record cleaning published by Positive Feedback

Over the past several months I’ve invested a fair amount of time exploring ultrasonic cleaning because I’ve fallen way too far behind in my record cleaning. With over 6000 LPs, I needed a faster way to clean than my trusted multi-step manual wet/vac cleaning process. That manual process got the best results I’ve ever found, but I was not keeping up with my collection and it is just painful to me to play a record that I’ve not cleaned.

In exploring ultrasonic cleaning, my hope was to find that I could complete multiple LPs in a single US cleaning cycle and greatly speed up my rate of cleaning records. My goals were to FIRST do no harm and then SECOND see how close I could get to the results of my manual cleaning regimen.

My past experiences with ultrasonic cleaning demonstrations were completely underwhelming. What I heard did not approach the excellence I was achieving with my multi-step wet/vac cleaning regimen.

What I’ve learned, and now apply in my new ultrasonic cleaning regimen, are multiple elements to the cleaning process that must be used in combination to achieve the best possible results. And these results have far exceeded my expectations.

I’d thought of posting here on Audiogon the summary of what I’ve learned and am now applying as my new record cleaning regimen, but the inability to post images and to apply formatting here caused me to send my summary to David Robinson at Positive Feedback who has graciously published my comments as a guest essay. Please read that essay, and then come back here to Audiogon with comments and to share your experiences:

http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/rushton-paul-diy-approach-ultrasonic-cleaning-lps/


I look forward to some further discussion and sharing of experiences.

.


128x128rushton

Showing 14 responses by slaw

slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
Sadly, I kind of agree with astro58go.

I had a former friend that would take in all of the (free) info provided by everyone, but would not contribute to the community!!!

I said "former friend".

Cheers!
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
... by the way, my "following # went down significantly as well.

Do I care?.. Hell no!
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
astro58go,

Some people "want you on that wall", "some people need you on that wall".

The problem is, those same people don't want to be the one to do the job.

Keep on, keeping on!
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
FWIW:

I recently had an affirmation of my cleaning method.

I've been auditioning a phono stage (K&K Audio Trio) w volume. I'm fortunate that I live around an hour away. I've heard the same unit (w/o volume) in Kevin's system through his line stage.

Upon my first visit, we listened to Neil Young "Live at Massey Hall 1971/Classic Records", among others.

After my auditioning his Trio in my system with a volume control he rigged up for me for two weeks, I returned the unit to him.

In the mean time, I had cleaned side 3&4 with the DWDC from AI. I noticed a clearer sonic picture before I left to return the Trio.

When I arrived at Kevin's later, we listened to track 3, comparing his uncleaned and my newly cleaned NY through his statement Sonus Veritas phono.

The difference was not hard to hear at all. It was a clearer picture, as if a veil had been removed. Increase in dynamics were easily verified by us both.

Happy Listening!


slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
I was looking back through my posting history regarding the Audio Desk, it's lifespan...

I did find my original receipt. In a couple of weeks, I'll have owned it for 3 years. Some have said it will fail. I have always kept the faith. Because, I have done preventive maintenance, above and beyond what the manufacturer suggests I feel this is the reason I am still enjoying this product.

I "guesstimate" I've cleaned at least 4000 lps... then put those same cleaned lps through an additional cycle before I put them up.

I'm not gloating, just saying that one should think about what the product does, how it affects it's own systems, and be inventive in regards to your conclusions.
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
stenway,

Thanks for posting.

Can you elaborate:.. "first he said that manual is the best":

When you say (he) in your context.. who is (he)?

Thanks,
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
@rushton,

My Audio Desk finally gave it up. I just wanted you to know that I'm now pursuing your approach and I'm initially going to follow your method as written. I have the cleaner in-house now. Just waiting to order the rest. I am still going to use my steam method as my first line of attack.

Your article was, IMO, The best, most informative article I've ever come across.
 
Thank you!
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
Right now, it’s about 3 & 1/2 years old.

Robert Stein @ The Cable Company offered , (after several emails (to fix mine if it did not need (internal parts) for free).

I’m assuming mine won’t fall into this category. I’ve already written it off as a loss in my mind. However, this avenue is still open and did seem to help in my negotiations with RS regarding the above deal. The rushton approach is very well though-out and has the advantage of being very cost effective as well.
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
Believe me, I feel the pain very personally!.. Having said this the VPI is not an Audio Desk.

Many internal/moving parts. Electronics, pumps and the like. This is why it just makes sense in EVERY way to go forward with the rushton approach.

Cheers!
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
whart,

Thanks for the update.

It makes perfect sense that your "point nozzle" would aid in getting into the grooves better. In order to save money, I'm fine with my pre-clean method of steaming, I don't mind the extra time/effort.

Never heard of the MA inner sleeves. They sound interesting?
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
My Vinyl Stack arrives today. I think I'm going to start with using distilled water with the Audio Desk additive first. This will give me a way to hear the difference between what I was using vs. what I'm now have. Very excited!
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
I’ve cleaned & listened to several lps now. The main difference I’m hearing is a more open, yet agreeable presentation like never before.

Important to note, that most of the lps I’ve cleaned have already been through my process that is not too shabby...!

Every lp has much more meaning. I cannot explain how much this aspect affects my listening experience in a more positive way!
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
I've heard enough.

As I stated earlier, I'm still pre-steaming, which I still think is very important and will continue to do.

I'm using the exact same water/fluid as I was with my Audio Desk. So what is the difference?

On exemplary recordings, or what I thought were exemplary recordings, still are, but in a completely different category now. Take Blake Mills "Heigh-Ho", or Tanita Tikaram "Closer to the People".

These were excellent lps. Now they've been transformed into the stratosphere! I'm not kidding!

I want to listen to more records, but now I have a big problem. The records I want to listen to, have not been cleaned with my new US system. It makes that much difference!

The Audio Desk was a great cleaner, but this newer system outperforms it easily. Hows that for a recommendation?
slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
@scm,

I’d agree with you on more of everything coming through. I’d just add that the soundstage is more expansive on all fronts. I now do not want to listen to any lp that hasn’t been cleaned by this new cleaner even though I had a great (what I thought was great) system previously. The other thing noticed is, there is much more static removed by this new set-up.

Even on lps I had previously cleaned, I’m noticing how much crud is in the new water of this recent set-up. Pretty remarkable!
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