Marktomaras,
Clean vinyl takes effort.
Clean vinyl takes effort.
Clean vinyl takes effort.
Sell the TT and vinyl; go digital.
Clean vinyl takes effort.
Clean vinyl takes effort.
Clean vinyl takes effort.
Sell the TT and vinyl; go digital.
Would anyone be interested in a timeshare on an Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner Pro?
I love my vinyl, but I hate record cleaning. I feel that by neglecting my record cleaning, I am doing a disservice to my albums, my ears, and my cartridge.
I use a vpi cleaner, and with the solutions and flipping sides, drying racks, etc, I rarely use it anymore. It's just too slow of a process, and I don't have the time.
Enter the super automatic and ultrasonic operation of Audio Desk's latest pro version of their record cleaning machine. If you don't know about it, read a little and you'll see it is quite impressive.
So, this thread is to see if anyone would be interested in a time share. At about 4 grand, it is more than I am willing to spend on a machine such as this. However, if 6-12 people chip in, and get to keep the machine for 1-2 months per year, the cost goes down to $333-$666 per member. The resulting 1-2 month period of use can be record cleaning season for the members of this time share.
A local group would be best (I live in Miami) so that a reasonable drive would connect the users, but shipping is fine too. We keep the original packing, drop it in the mail, and we incur a reasonable UPS fee to move the machine to the next user.
So, to start this off, if you're interested, write your name, city, state, and zip code at the top of your posts to this thread. I'll act as the ring leader, see what we end up with, and tally the results.
If we end up with an appropriate number of interested members across the country, perhaps we have the shipping club. If we are lucky and we get clusters of interested members in any one geographical area, that could be a smaller group and they can drive to change hands.
lets start the music!
I use a vpi cleaner, and with the solutions and flipping sides, drying racks, etc, I rarely use it anymore. It's just too slow of a process, and I don't have the time.
Enter the super automatic and ultrasonic operation of Audio Desk's latest pro version of their record cleaning machine. If you don't know about it, read a little and you'll see it is quite impressive.
So, this thread is to see if anyone would be interested in a time share. At about 4 grand, it is more than I am willing to spend on a machine such as this. However, if 6-12 people chip in, and get to keep the machine for 1-2 months per year, the cost goes down to $333-$666 per member. The resulting 1-2 month period of use can be record cleaning season for the members of this time share.
A local group would be best (I live in Miami) so that a reasonable drive would connect the users, but shipping is fine too. We keep the original packing, drop it in the mail, and we incur a reasonable UPS fee to move the machine to the next user.
So, to start this off, if you're interested, write your name, city, state, and zip code at the top of your posts to this thread. I'll act as the ring leader, see what we end up with, and tally the results.
If we end up with an appropriate number of interested members across the country, perhaps we have the shipping club. If we are lucky and we get clusters of interested members in any one geographical area, that could be a smaller group and they can drive to change hands.
lets start the music!
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- 27 posts total
I too am thinking about a US cleaner: DIY vs AD vs KL audio. I have recently talked to a friend who put a grand into a DIY setup that he still has to vacuum to dry them. He is not enthusiastic about his results. Another friend just bought the older AD model and so far loves it. However, he cleaned a few of my records and while easier to use, they sound similar to my cleaning process. I encourage you to read this thread about cleaning fluids. http://https//www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=96199 I have found that utilizing the formula recommended by Vince is an absolute wonder in getting your records clean and costs pennies! Utilizes easily obtainable chemicals of known grade. I mix all my solutions and rinses in reagent grade water from Amazon or Ebay. Works so well, unless someone hands me the cash, I'm passing on the US for the moment. One wash step and two rinses takes about 3 minutes per side. Let stand for a bit b4 sleeving or playing in case a bit of moisture remains helps too. |
This one does an excellent job, for the price they are asking its a bargain, this and a 6L ultra sonic tub is 95% of the KL Audio and the AudioDeske Use it with 1 gallon distilled water enough to clean about 30 records, dry with the large microfiber cloth enclosed with the kit. for less than $400 you will have an excellent cleaning system http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultrasonic-Vinyl-Record-Cleaner-Vinyl-Stack-ULTRA-Sonic-Spin-Kit-/1614028494... Good Listening Peter |
@wntrmute2 - can you check that link? It didn't work for me, and I'm curious about the formula. I use the Hannl concentrate mixed with Reagent Grade 1, for most records, and if they are troublesome, use the AIVS # 15, both with a pure water rinse. Monks point nozzle. (BTW, what grade reagent water do you buy from Amazon or Ebay- Grade II? There are restrictions on shipping Grade I to residences). I wonder what's wrong with your friend's set up, combining DIY US with vacuum. I've gotten my best results with the combination of methods, though I've been limited to the AD and now the KL. As mentioned my new US machine will likely be DIY because of the feature set. And as mentioned, I think vac drying enhances the cleaning process compared to blow drying. |
@marktomaras : my experience was limited to the original ADS, not the Pro version, and at the time I still had an old VPI. The ADS was life changing in several respects: no more labor, records came out clean and dry (except for some odd water spotting that apparently had to do with the wiper/lips). But then i hit some records-- old UK pressings- that still sounded noisy and distorted after cleaning, like groove wear. Given their value and scarcity, I worked on them with AIVS NO 15, soak, agitate and vacuum several times, with pure water rinse. I got almost all the distortion causing contaminants off the record this way. This didn’t salvage every record, some were just damaged, but the process was effective enough that I changed my methods. For challenging records (I mostly buy older and sometimes obscure or hard to find records), I use both methods. I replaced the VPI with a Monks, which in my estimation does a much better job on the vacuum side. (The wash cycle on these vacuum machines is largely manual effort anyway, so little difference there). Perhaps the Pro is better built, has fewer issues than the original ADS did; it was a good RCM if you were starting with pristine records. The only other issue is any residue of surfactant left on the record-- the early adopters encouraged the use of less than the full bottle of fluid- it enhanced cavitation while reducing the amount of chemical added to the water (which isn’t necessarily removed by blow drying in my view-that’s why you need the vacuum). I do know a few folks who replaced their original ADS with the Pro and like it, don’t do the extra steps like pre-cleaning or pure water rinse afterwards. And their records sound good. I think the big variable here is the condition of the record you are starting with, and how much work it takes to remove whatever is embedded in, glued on, or ground into, the grooves. |
- 27 posts total