Ultrasonic Record Washer Review. Worth the upgrade from the Spin Clean? 

Great video man! Thanks for sharing. I have been using this same system for a year now and I can assure those still harboring some skepticism that this really works and makes a difference. But Like Neal Petty said, I strongly recommend that you rinse cleaned records with distilled or de-ionized water after cleaning them. You will never rinse 100% of that surfactant out of the grooves but not rinsing at all will leave residue in there and will affect the sound but more importantly, the residue may eventually end up scraped onto your stylus so rinsing is a good idea IMHO. Moreover, you will see visually how initially the water will be a touch soapy and then run clean off your records that have gone through a wash. I also think you need to add more IPA. 70% or 100% makes no difference since you can just make your own 70% by adding 30% water to 100%. But, if you only add 1 teaspoon of 70% IPA to 1.25Gal of water in that tank, you will end up with only 0.0007% alcohol. Most "formulae" I have seen recommend around 5% alcohol, 94.8% water, and 0.2% surfactant. This is what I use. Give it a try, give your records a rinse, and let me know if you saw any improvement. Oh, one more thing.... I load my records onto that spindle laying it face up on the table, then mount it onto the cleaner with records already on it and remove the whole thing as well. I have placed 2 lines with a permanent marker on the rear rim of the tank where the thing should go (i.e. the center) and it's easy that way to place it back in the same spot every time. Like you, I have found that those thin spacers leave too little space for cavitation to do its best job so I place that thick spacer in the middle instead of at the end and only ever run 2 records at a time. I know it's slow but I figured next time I am gonna need to ultrasonic clean my records will be 10 years from now so I better do a good job now to not have to re-do it later. Like if I upgrade my cartridge some day I don't want to start hearing more static all of a sudden - I'd rather know my records are as clean as they can be (considering my current budget, of course). Over the last year, I have found that I can clean (about) 12 records per tank and then the solution gets too dirty for my comfort - I can see crap floating in there at that point and so I drain it and make a new batch since it only costs about a $1. Then it occurred to me that as the solution gets progressively dirtier over time, perhaps tiny amounts of residue that came out of the previous records and dissolved in the solution end up on those records that follow them? I don't know the answer but just in case, I started ordering my records by ♥️ factor (i.e. those I love listening to the most get to go into the cleanest tank / first in that batch). Lastly, I discovered that that surfactant is not easily water-soluble (it dissolves eventually) but it is instantly alcohol-soluble. I therefore pre-mix a "concentrate" in a bottle (about 10 rinse batches worth) that I then measure out into the water. I then turn the cavitation on for a few minutes on empty so it can mix with the water thoroughly and then records go in. Sorry this comment ended up being way too long but hopefully it'll help someone. Cheers and thanks again for sharing!

Thanks for the review. Definitely helpful. I just got an ultrasound cleaning machine but I haven’t had time to use it yet. Your tips and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

The Triton X-100 surfactant IS a cleaning agent. You don’t need the Spinclean solution (which who knows what is in it). Also, best to use 99% IPA, not 70% - makes dilution ratios easier as well. Lastly, a tablespoon of Triton X-100 is approx 15ml. If you mix that into a liter of distilled water then it’s concentration is 1.5%. This is much more than is needed. You only need 1-2ml.

Looks good and effective I especially like the fact you can clean a few records at once, thats a big plus point for me

Thank you for your very helpful review - my unit had next to no instructions included. First cleans look good!

Very informative thanks for doing this!

I wondered about those ultrasonic washers on Amazon and ebay. Thanks for doing this. Primitive and affordable record washing/vinyl Vac system . I am stunned how different the records sound.

Thanks for the video and info! I ordered mine a week ago. Cool!!!!

Great Video Stacey!

thanks for taking the time to create this quality video. I have heard that there should be, in addition to the pucks, spacers between the records to give the cavitation enough room to do it's job.

I started off with a Spinclean and still think it is good. I moved to Pro-Ject VC cleaners. It is much nicer but you’re at a higher price bracket. I then bought what you have in this video. Very, Very nice setup. I then bought a Humminguru. This is my favorite because it is a “Set it and forget it”. The Humminguru is much more quiet than the tank shown here. It also has a fan drier built in. The downside is that it only does 1 record at a time. If a record is truly dirty, I start off the cleaning with the Project VC and then run a cycle in the Humminguru. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

Wow some of those results were dramatic! I'm so glad you did this since Ive been on the fence about getting one!!!

I really want to get a system like this, I love it when records are really clean, nearly zero hiss and pop on a good condition record!

Thanks for the comparison...

Great video! I've had my ultrasonic cleaner for a couple of weeks now, and I'm pissed I actually wasted all that time and money on the Spin-Clean. The spin-clean only seems to work well for records that aren't really dirty to begin with. I have a lot of records bought at yard sales, and 20 records for $20 at goodwill that are just not in good shape. The spin-clean made them look nicer, but didn't reduce the popping, and snaps at all. Bot one bit! The velvet pads just don't get deep enough into the grooves to do much of anything. A couple of observations with the ultrasonic: The more records you have mounted to the spindle, the less effective the unit is. For really nasty records I only mount 1 or 2 on the spindle with plenty of space between them. Mounting them as close to center of the tank also seems to make a difference. Some take multiple cycles to clean up, but it does work, and work well! I use the ultrasonic in a separate part of the house because I don't like the sound of hundreds of angry rattlesnakes getting it on simultaneously. If you like that sort of thing you'll love the ultrasonic! My ultrasonic came with a little jewelry basket on a chain I plan to use for cleaning styluses..ess.ess.s. I have the unit with knobs instead of the digital w/buttons. I like knobs. One modification I hope to make is adding an on/off switch for the spindle motor. Unplugging it each time just seems silly. Have fun cleaning! As you demonstrated it makes a huge difference!!

I could definitely here a lot less snap, crackle, pop’s ! Very nice 👍

Thanks for letting me know that, that temperature works great. ❤

I made my own record holder for a similar Ultrosonic Tank. I then added a remote fish tank filter plumbed out that spigot and back into the tank to clear out debris that does fall out of the grooves. I picked up a used Nitty Gritty Vacuum Cleaner and a Spin Clean knock off (Studabaker). I use Tergiclean as agent - but that needs a rinse. So I preclean using the Nitty, then Ultrasonic, then rinse in the Spin Clean, dry on the Nitty, then finish drying on a folder rack "borrowed" from work. I always put the records in new Rice Paper Sleeves (MoFi or similar) as pulling a clean record out of a paper sleeve will make you wonder why you cleaned it in the first place!

For sure an emprovement is noticeable on the last record...

Thanks, this video really helps to make a decision. Thumbs up!

I picked up a Vevor us lp cleaning machine and have been using it for the past month. The results exceed my expectations. I pre clean with G2 fluid two lps at a time. Then they go in the tank with just distilled water running for about 9 or 10 minutes. I added a reostat the drops the speed of the rotisserie so I reckon the entire record is ultrasonically cleaned about 3 minutes. I then vacuum the lps on my 35 year old Nittygritty rcm about 3 turns per side and place them in the lp rack provided by Vevor. After a few minutes I give each side a quick polish with a velvet brush and mark the lp sleeve cover to note its been cleaned. I really can't imagine what a $4,000 us machine does better.

Impressive difference especially on the Go Go's record... Wow!

Very helpful. Used same solution. Good tip on mixing in cup. I think the spacer goes on first to center records in tank. Thanks DQ

Good vid, I bought a similar set up I use triton as the surfactant and only do 2 lps at a time run for 10 mins I’ve gotten decent results.

Great video. I was interested in seeing what debris & dirt ended up at the bottom of the tank. If you re-do this video or make another, can you include a shot of that? Thanks!

Congrats on the ultra sonic. Love mine

I have the same setup, my opinion.. do one at a time, heat and soaking helps get the deep grime loose. 15 min just soak and 5 min ultrasound. 15*5 method.

What's your experience with cleaning an old record first with a simple manual device and then with an ultra sonic cleaner? How is the sound after the first procedure and after the second. It's a nice test. By the way, i have seen a very old Dutch buyerguide from 1980, in it was an add from Nagaoka which was about a product that worked against static dust-covers, they claimed a static dustcover could decrease the needleforce up to 1 gram.

Do you have a problem with the water getting too hit as the ultrasonic runs? I have a similar set up with a vevor ultrasonic and the transducers heat up the water and warp the records.

Thanks - great video - any follow up months later?

Great video

Isn't this why we all went to CD's. I have a serious LP collection of classical music begun in 1964. I always played me record with good equipment and used a little gadget that was a plastic arm with a roller and whiskers at the end that touched the record. Then i went to CD's. Recently I have revisited my classical music on both Audio Technica 120 and U turn high end tables. My records soung good an my Grado cartridges. Most of me LPs only need a little spin with the Audioquest brush, Some have static- I just bought the spin clean but haven't used it yet- I believe that this will suffice. I do not go to yard sales for records. I have so many that at my age I probably will not have the time to hear all of them again. Life is too short to waste time on cleaning records. But to each his own. Take care.

Great video. Since the records are already cleaned with the Spinclean you probably don't really need to add the Spinclean fluid. Distilled water, alcohol and surfactant are adequate for the ultrasonic bubbles to work their magic.

Thanks for the video

Have a question. I have a Vevor TH-30a ultrasonic cleaner able to clean records. However, it did not come with instructions on how to set it up for that and Vevor people have been of no help. Do you know of a way to get the instructions for my unit which looks similar in nature to the video? Thanks Marc

Thanks! A bit out of my budget but maybe worth it. Would be curious if it can clean up 78 rpm records

I've looked on Amazon for this and although they do various models of this I dont see a record cleaner one. Is it an attachment?

Seems like it definitely works. I feel that crackling is part of the character of vinyl. I'd just deal with CDs otherwise

The last one sounds like a repetitive tic was removed as well. I have a similar setup as you have. I only do one lp at a time.. unless I get a couple new ones.. then I do multiples.. i even clean new ones before first spin. Used ones I do solo Good video

Great video! Do you maybe know if I would clean a Picture disc with it, will it ruin it somehow? Thanks

Qual a concentração de cada produto na solução?

Just bought one of these and have a question. Why are you (or others) putting alcohol and surfactant into the distilled water? The ultrasonic waves produce the imploding bubbles to basically shake the dirt off the vinyl so why is any additional anything needed?

Great video Thx, I have the same system and use with Tergikleen. I just would not use any alcohol, here is what they say on using alcohol. "you never want to use ANY alcohol in any vinyl cleaner. My experiences with alcohol cleaners is that it destroys high frequencies, turning cymbals into sandpaper sounds and "s" sound into irritating noises ;-) This is precisely why we developed this cleaner so that you would never ever do any kind of dama"ge to your albums, ever, never, you can leave alcohol behind with other damaging cleaners.

I use the yellow spin clean it’s easy and I only really buy clean or close to clean old records because I can not stand surface noise they might cost more but it will be a better listening experience but sometimes a clean record can still have groove damage if it was mistreated

Using a anti- static brush, a water-alcohol soap mix and micro fiber cloth gets them as clean as I ever need them. Save your money!

Grace Under Pressure from Rush! great choice

And one other thing I live in a small house and the noise of that new one would drive me nuts for 30 minutes every time 😆

if you use 70% alcohol, which is already diluted 30% and then dump it in a gallon of water is there really any alcohol left in the mixture?

What a shocking difference!!!! I'm Sold!!! Ive been eyeing one on ebay that is very similar to this one, it has dials for temp and time instead of the digital controls. Very reasonable price! I've been doing the vinyl vac which is good and been doing it that way for 5 years. Time to upgrade and this will be it!!! Maybe just use the vinyl vac for drying them instead of just sitting to air dry? Big Thumbs up.

Great informative video. I've been using this system for over 3 years although a different brand of spinner for the records. One thing I'd strongly disagree on however is the alcohol. You absolutely shouldn't be using 70% alcohol. Most recommendations I've seen suggest a minimum of 90% and in fact I've used 99.9% alcohol since I started. Obviously I don't use a lot but probably close to what you're using here. I understand you might have concerns about it but there are just too many impurities in alcohol that's below 90% and 70% has way too many. Maybe try it on a few records you're not concerned with but I've had great success on albums that are at least 50 years old. The only change I'll make in the future is I will definitely go with a Vinyl Vac. I've used the same drying/rack method but I think there could still be some debris on the records if you don't vacuum it off.

I use ultrasonic cleaner in my work for 5 years and it is the best cleaning process. My advise is don't let that machine alone because at a certain point the temperature can rise a lot and if it goes above 60 degrees you can say goodbye to your vinyl. At the moment I use a device that cost 700€ and it has also happened several times. We have already bought several brands, worse and better, it happened in all... never forget to control the temperature.

You should be a rep for ultrasonics, I'm sold! Haha! Been trying to restore a vinyl for my Dad, in time for Fathers' Day (tomorrow lol), been a bit of a nightmare.... maybe when I get paid next I'll buy an ultrasonic cleaner!

30 degrees Celsius may be too hot. My chart says that is 86 degrees Farenheit. Also your tablespoon looked to me like a teaspoon. 3 tsp= 1 tablespoon.

Can you clean 45 Rpm & 78 rpm on your ultra sonic machine and I also have a spin clean washer I had it for 2 years and I love it make the records nice and clean I might look into the ultra sonic in the near future and other record cleaning machine are to expensive which I won't buy so the ultra sonic record cleaner is the one to get and you do a great job on your video and keep up the good work.

#StaceyNash Great video & Content! I Can definitely hear the difference #CHEERS

Do you warm the water when you use the Spin Clean?

Great video, where can I find one of those cool tee shirts ??

my hesitation is getting the label wet and perpetually water marked

Yep,gonna get one on the pretext that the wife can clean her jewellery and the kids can clean their boats carburettor 😉😁

The Project VC-S2 ALU Vinyl Record Cleaner ... does a better and more efficient job ... and eliminates static ... the downside is that it is fairly noisy ... but does the job in a couple of minuets !

Laura branagan with the wolf

At any cost, I am not for ultrasonic disc washer. The price is more than a high end turntable! I have more than 2700 LPs and I am more than satisfied with the time-tested wood glue cleaning method. Before applying the wood glue, I wash the vinyl with Isopropyl alcohol-distilled water-dish washing liquid combination. This is time consuming but the best.

I have both the Spin Clean and the Vevor Ultrasonic Washer and by far the Vevor added more sonic impact to the music. The Spin clean is ok if you have a small record collection but its great to be able to clean 8 records at a time with the Vevor. Audibly It was quiet obvious, before and after playback. I just cleaned about 64 albums and the residue that was left in tank was enough to prove that the Ultrasonic works very well. Cleaning 5000 albums with the Spin Clean alone would be quite a chore not to mention the time involved...

If you are serious about LPs there is no better cleaning method than ultrasonic cleaning. I used those spin cleaners and they made them cleaner but not clean. If you held them in the light you could still see they were not perfect. I play them and still my stylist collects dust and then distorts the music. I run one through the ultrasonic cleaner and the LPs look like new. I play LPs constantly and never have to clean my stylist. The pops and clicks vastly removed and the noise level seems much lower. It has even fixed some skips that were caused by debris. Now after saying that. It will not work miracles. It will not fix damaged LPs, if the surface is messed up, this wont do much for that. I set mine at 32, more than that the LPs can warp but seem to spring back, still a little nerve racking. If you do not over fill it the labels will not get wet ever, if you do dry them instantly. Its not been a problem for me at all. I used distilled water and a dash of isopropyl alcohol and that's it. You could use 100% its being poured in water, 50%, 60% does not matter, you are not applying it directly to the LP. Run it for 5 minutes for most LPs unless they are really dirty. I got mine on Amazon and I can clean 7 LPs at one time, its fantastic. I paid less that $300 and basically looks just like the one in this vid. Oh mine you can raise and lower the LPs into the water making it easier than this one. Oh and try to let them air dry, using a lint free cloth can re-introduce lint to the LPs, I sometimes spot dry some drips but never wipe the LPs down. I did that and got some lint build up but never when I do not.

the spin-clean isn't the best and isn't the first the disco antistat is better. and might be cheaper. nothing wrong with going 99% isopropenyl its easier to mix your quantity you deleting it anyway 10% isopropanol should be enough. but not on shellac has to be alcohol free. surfactants leave a trace behind that's not necessarily bad thing but there is a residue left in the grooves, just use a non sodium soap car soap is fine without wax.

Spin Clean is better than nothing but not much...

just distilled water

Comparing a toy like spin clean is unfair

cavitation does not care about Surfactant

The audio on the video is terrible and unlistenable. Stopped watching within 10 seconds. Gonna have to up your game if you want viewers.