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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
nkonor
605 posts
 
Rushton, I am very happy with using my VPI w/ delrin p/u tube for a final rinse tip that I got from this thread !!
I saw a thread about Disk flatners this morning and am interested in these as part of getting the best SQ from our disks. I would appreciate your thoughts on this.
nkonor
605 posts
 
Rushton. The thread is AFI FLAT Record Flattener
rushton's avatar
rushton OP
2,430 posts
 
Hi nkonor, glad to hear you're finding some bits of information in this thread that you can apply! Thanks for contributing.

I've not used a disc flattener and don't have an opinion about their effectiveness. I'm old school enough to remember discussions about plate glass and ovens, but I was never brave enough to experiment because with a mild warp my tonearms have been able to track the record pretty well. My biggest problems over the years have been the sharp pinch warps we occasionally encounter, and I've wondered if a device like the AFI could ameliorate those. I'll have to go read the thread. Thanks for the heads up about it.
nkonor
605 posts
 
Rushton, I too remember discussion of plate glass and oven for taking out warps. Would not try it; getter to high in those days.
Still, I am a firm believer in Flat Records. = Less Work for TT, Tonearm, Cartridge. From an engineering point of view. Hope those who started the thread will do the kind of effort that you have and share further info.

Thanks rushton 
nkonor

nkonor
605 posts
 
Rushton,

Been using my VPI to give a final rinse with RO water from my (5) filter commercial grade machine. After putting it through my Audiodesk. Using a delrin tube. I Like the result!
 
Next, I am going to try using L'Art du Son and leave it on the record for 4-5 minutes before vacuuming off, then the Audiodesk and then a final rinse with RO. I got this all from this thread. I will keep you posted.

Thanks and Happy New Year!
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