"i doubt we'll see it this low again" - Funny enough I just grabbed the Degritter Mark II (normally $3300) from a store in Berlin selling it for $2600 (about $2800 after shipping to the U.S.) shout to HHV, huge save imo. Didn't even get held up in customs too bad.
@@thevinylattack Welp, apparently according to Degritter, they don't allow their dealers to ship abroad, so they've "given them a warning" and now effectively shut HHV out of shipping to USA or any other country but their own. Really scummy of the Degritter company in my opinion, no idea why they'd do this, other than due to currency exchanges that I can get it much cheaper from HHV than anywhere else.
Love these high-end accessories even if they are out of reach at this time. I'm happy to use some elbow grease and homemade cleaner for now. It's a fun and rewarding hobby even with a humble budget. Hello from the SW side of the mitten.🤘
Looking at their marketing I suspect the biggest change is pulse mode which is more for their benefit not yours. The in warranty failure rate on these is non-trivial[1] and I bet pulse mode is designed to get more life out of the transducers. There is also an upgrade path for you to trade in your original for a Mark 2 unit, I believe the price for US customers is around $1700 or $1800 (shipping both ways included). Your unit needs to be in warranty to get the trade in at that price; they said they would still do a trade in if you wanted for older units but at a different price. [1]: We of course have no way of seeing the actual failure rate. But when 20+ of these things fail within the warranty period on the Hoffman forum that's enough smoke to be reasonably certain there is some kind of fire. For the record mine failed after 1 year and ~1300 cleans (99% of them heavy cycles), but I went into it assuming that the ultrasonic transducers were a consumable and would need replacement periodically. Degritter makes the process painless, honestly the worst part of the experience was being w/o the thing for 2 weeks. It's so deeply ingrained into my vinyl habits that with vinyl coming into the house all the time being w/o it is debilitating.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ve had my Humminguru for a year now. It has been problem-free and a joy to use. I can’t say how it performs compared with the Degritter but the price difference makes it an apples to oranges comparison anyway.
I agree with the Humminguru being a great cleaner for the price. My budget simply doesn’t allow for a $3,000 ultrasonic cleaner. For the $400 or so I paid, it’s been an absolute game changer.
If only that money tree would start to bear fruit. My vinyl collection started with records I inherited from my parents as well as my great-aunts, some dating back to the 40s and 50s. I used a Spin Clean on them, but it was clear both visually and auditorily that some of them needed a deeper clean. I bought one of those eBay specials that has a US frequency of 40 kHz. My thinking was this was a good method for cleaning a heavily soiled record beyond what my Spin Clean could accomplish, based on what I had read at the time and being the noobest of noobs. I've since upgraded to the Record Doctor VI and love it, however, I had planned on still using the ultrasonic for older records that appeared to need a deeper cleaning. With the lower frequency, do you think this would have a negative effect on the vinyl with only one or two washings?
With a couple of washings, I'd imagine everything will be just fine. I just don't like to generally recommend a method to people that has the potential to cause damage. If that makes sense.
I use a Pro--Ject vacuum machine for severely dirty records and have a Kirmuss and Degritter and mainly use the Degritter these days. When I heard about the Mk II it appealed to the part of me that always wants something better. But based on the descriptions I've seen I don't think I'm willing to take a hit on mine when the main improvement seems to be the power, which I suspect helps cut down cleaning time more than being markedly more effective. And I rinse everything, even surfactants that claim not to need it. I listen to a lot of classical fare and there's no hiding from noise on the quiet passages. I do use multiple tanks but tend to use surfactant in the vacuum machine and use the Degritter for rinse and what I consider "polishing" if that makes any sense. Opens many recordings up a bit.
Dr. Kirmuss is pretty adamant about high frequency machines such as the Degritter, and has show time and again through his experiments that high frequency cleaners are harmful to your records and not low frequency machines.
Firstly, he's not a doctor. Secondly, he's wrong. I've seen photos from an electron microscope that show the damage that occurs with repeated use of a low frequency, high wattage utility style cleaner. He's also trying to sell you something. I'm not.
Would love to have one, but it is outside my price range unfortunately. For 400 dollars my Okki Nokki does well. Thank you for the information on this Degritter.
Hi Chris, After using the Degritter a bit I've discovered that I can lower the fan speed to the lowest setting (making the volume much more tolerable) and get records totally dry after a medium wash in just under 4 minutes. (That's 3 min. 45 sec. dry time.) The stock fan setting from the factory even for me was too loud. Oh, and yes ... I'm glad I got it when I had the chance.
Hi, two part question… With several commenters noting issues under warranty and you noting having an issue twice as well, is this something to be concerned about long term when it’s out of warranty? No use making (or buying, for that matter) a machine for this price only to have to pay for it again to replace it. At this price point it’s something I expect to be able to purchase and use worry-free for quite some time and I don’t think that’s an unrealistic expectation. But, if it is, please feel free to manage my expectations regarding this product. The way I see it though, it doesn’t matter if it can outclean everything else on the market if it doesn’t work. And part two to this question, if I was going to look at the top 3 ultrasonic cleaners who are the other two you’d say to look at as I’m quite certain this will remain your No. 1 choice. Thanks for your time and all you do!
The issue was with the transducers being fragile and breaking. I've heard that you can just buy replacements if it's out of warranty, but I don't remember the cost. I think it was 300 or 600 bucks. Can I guarantee it'll last? No. But, that might be why you should look at the new model. From what I gather, they've addressed the transducer issue. There are no other ultrasonics I would recommend. They all use low-frequency, high-wattage units that can damage records. It's a shame really.
Thanks in part to your reviews I recently got a silver mark ii and am thrilled with it - thanks for the informative Degritter videos! Keep up the great work.
glad to see this type of product evolving, as progress in this area can only help the vinyl hobby and the mass market consumer down the road. As consumer awareness increases about the technology, bad machines will be forced out, and optimal designs will have competition.
If that were true, we wouldn't have Crosley's and Victrola's running about. But I see your point and I do agrees that pushing the tech can only help the hobby as a whole.
It's an awesome machine and also they have very good customer service. Had a problem with my first unit, they tried trouble shooting a little with me but ended up simply replacing it. They sent a brand new unit in less than a week with prepaid return shipping for the old one. The extra detail you pick up listening to a freshly cleaned record is honestly surprising, like you upgraded your cart or phonostage. Highly recommended!
That Degritter is $100 shy of 5 grand here and if I'm saving & spending 5 grand wisely on peripheral equipment for a sound system I'd rather it was on a DAC and quality external storage that is less likely to fail or rot (the only thing I can do right now is back-up). Vinyl is just too damn expensive a hobby to maintain, at that price. I'll keep my records for now just in case something affordable and of this quality comes to market but I won't hold my breath.
Maintenance isn't the issue with vinyl. It's the upfront cost. Records will last longer than a hard drive if you treat them well. But getting to perform their best is a costly investment.
@@thevinylattack Yeah, at the moment with money being so tight personally I'd rather replace a dead couple hundred dollar external hard drive and have the second spare with all my files backed up, ready to go, every 5-10 years than pay 5k for an ultrasonic record cleaner. I do hope something more affordable, but nearly as good & safe to use comes along someday though. I don't trust the really cheap ones either at the moment. I've seen videos showcasing under a microscope what happens to vinyl cleaned for just a few minutes too long in these things. Stuff of nightmares!
As impressive as the Degritter is I’m thinking of buying a Keith Monks Prodigy. Beautiful, bamboo construction and costs a third as much. Requires more attention, sure but the entire vinyl experience is very tedious anyway.
You can still buy the original model at the lower price with an extra water tank included for free. Is that the way to go? Or is the new model worth it?
@@thevinylattack Fair enough. I have a hard time thinking it's *that much* better, especially since the original is the one everyone fell in love with. I like the value in getting the extra water tank for free. I'm obviously talking myself into this :) , btw, really enjoy your channel and honesty in your reviews
Hi Chris, I actually was able to acquire a Degritter at this sale price from an out-of-state dealer. But not only did I get it at the reduced price, it included and extra water bath, free shipping and no tax. Overall I think I ended up saving over $500. I doubt I'm going to regret this purchase as it's a remarkable machine for what it does. My only advice to others out there ... buy it.
![FendiDa Rappa - Clock Dat ft. Shamar Marco [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3NBU8KHdxYY/mqdefault.jpg)
Still too much though.
"Too much" is a relative term.
"i doubt we'll see it this low again" - Funny enough I just grabbed the Degritter Mark II (normally $3300) from a store in Berlin selling it for $2600 (about $2800 after shipping to the U.S.) shout to HHV, huge save imo. Didn't even get held up in customs too bad.
That's a fantastic find.
@@thevinylattack Welp, apparently according to Degritter, they don't allow their dealers to ship abroad, so they've "given them a warning" and now effectively shut HHV out of shipping to USA or any other country but their own. Really scummy of the Degritter company in my opinion, no idea why they'd do this, other than due to currency exchanges that I can get it much cheaper from HHV than anywhere else.
Love these high-end accessories even if they are out of reach at this time. I'm happy to use some elbow grease and homemade cleaner for now. It's a fun and rewarding hobby even with a humble budget. Hello from the SW side of the mitten.🤘
Nothing wrong with doing it the old-fashioned way.
Looking at their marketing I suspect the biggest change is pulse mode which is more for their benefit not yours. The in warranty failure rate on these is non-trivial[1] and I bet pulse mode is designed to get more life out of the transducers.
There is also an upgrade path for you to trade in your original for a Mark 2 unit, I believe the price for US customers is around $1700 or $1800 (shipping both ways included). Your unit needs to be in warranty to get the trade in at that price; they said they would still do a trade in if you wanted for older units but at a different price.
[1]: We of course have no way of seeing the actual failure rate. But when 20+ of these things fail within the warranty period on the Hoffman forum that's enough smoke to be reasonably certain there is some kind of fire. For the record mine failed after 1 year and ~1300 cleans (99% of them heavy cycles), but I went into it assuming that the ultrasonic transducers were a consumable and would need replacement periodically. Degritter makes the process painless, honestly the worst part of the experience was being w/o the thing for 2 weeks. It's so deeply ingrained into my vinyl habits that with vinyl coming into the house all the time being w/o it is debilitating.
My hope would be that the Mark II has solved those issues and we won't need to worry about warranty returns as much.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ve had my Humminguru for a year now. It has been problem-free and a joy to use. I can’t say how it performs compared with the Degritter but the price difference makes it an apples to oranges comparison anyway.
They are indeed very different animals.
I agree with the Humminguru being a great cleaner for the price. My budget simply doesn’t allow for a $3,000 ultrasonic cleaner. For the $400 or so I paid, it’s been an absolute game changer.
If only that money tree would start to bear fruit. My vinyl collection started with records I inherited from my parents as well as my great-aunts, some dating back to the 40s and 50s. I used a Spin Clean on them, but it was clear both visually and auditorily that some of them needed a deeper clean. I bought one of those eBay specials that has a US frequency of 40 kHz. My thinking was this was a good method for cleaning a heavily soiled record beyond what my Spin Clean could accomplish, based on what I had read at the time and being the noobest of noobs. I've since upgraded to the Record Doctor VI and love it, however, I had planned on still using the ultrasonic for older records that appeared to need a deeper cleaning. With the lower frequency, do you think this would have a negative effect on the vinyl with only one or two washings?
With a couple of washings, I'd imagine everything will be just fine. I just don't like to generally recommend a method to people that has the potential to cause damage. If that makes sense.
Think im up to 10 videos on these cleaners. Just wish it fit multiple
If it cleaned multiple records at once, it wouldn't be as effective as it is ;-)
my 200 buck vevor still doing a great job ,and not wrecking my vinyl at all...
It absolutely will over time, but I'm happy it's doing what you want for now.
At this price is this aimed at businesses more than consumers? I mean... I guess I can open up an ultrasonic cleaning biz... 🤔
Everyone I know who has one is a consumer, but I'm sure there are businesses out there as well.
Float a piece of aluminum foil in either the Mk I or II, I think you’ll be surprised what you see…
You'll see nothing. I've done it.
$3,280.00 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I use a Pro--Ject vacuum machine for severely dirty records and have a Kirmuss and Degritter and mainly use the Degritter these days. When I heard about the Mk II it appealed to the part of me that always wants something better. But based on the descriptions I've seen I don't think I'm willing to take a hit on mine when the main improvement seems to be the power, which I suspect helps cut down cleaning time more than being markedly more effective. And I rinse everything, even surfactants that claim not to need it. I listen to a lot of classical fare and there's no hiding from noise on the quiet passages. I do use multiple tanks but tend to use surfactant in the vacuum machine and use the Degritter for rinse and what I consider "polishing" if that makes any sense. Opens many recordings up a bit.
Ridiculous
Context needed.
I would have to have at least 3,000 records for it to be worth the cost.
Nothing wrong with that ;-)
Dr. Kirmuss is pretty adamant about high frequency machines such as the Degritter, and has show time and again through his experiments that high frequency cleaners are harmful to your records and not low frequency machines.
Firstly, he's not a doctor. Secondly, he's wrong. I've seen photos from an electron microscope that show the damage that occurs with repeated use of a low frequency, high wattage utility style cleaner. He's also trying to sell you something. I'm not.
@@thevinylattack Point me toward that evidence so I can see for myself, because I've seen plenty of evidence to the contrary.
@@thevinylattack Do the foil test URSELF etc.. Photos from the Degritter Lobby may b/are a little controversial
@@matthewtaylor7355 I've done the foil test.
Still too much. :(
It's definitely not cheap.
Still sadly to expensive for me 😞
Would love to have one, but it is outside my price range unfortunately. For 400 dollars my Okki Nokki does well. Thank you for the information on this Degritter.
They are indeed pricey.
Hi Chris,
After using the Degritter a bit I've discovered that I can lower the fan speed to the lowest setting (making the volume much more tolerable) and get records totally dry after a medium wash in just under 4 minutes. (That's 3 min. 45 sec. dry time.) The stock fan setting from the factory even for me was too loud.
Oh, and yes ... I'm glad I got it when I had the chance.
That's one of the many nice things about this cleaner.
Hi, two part question… With several commenters noting issues under warranty and you noting having an issue twice as well, is this something to be concerned about long term when it’s out of warranty? No use making (or buying, for that matter) a machine for this price only to have to pay for it again to replace it. At this price point it’s something I expect to be able to purchase and use worry-free for quite some time and I don’t think that’s an unrealistic expectation. But, if it is, please feel free to manage my expectations regarding this product. The way I see it though, it doesn’t matter if it can outclean everything else on the market if it doesn’t work.
And part two to this question, if I was going to look at the top 3 ultrasonic cleaners who are the other two you’d say to look at as I’m quite certain this will remain your No. 1 choice. Thanks for your time and all you do!
The issue was with the transducers being fragile and breaking. I've heard that you can just buy replacements if it's out of warranty, but I don't remember the cost. I think it was 300 or 600 bucks. Can I guarantee it'll last? No. But, that might be why you should look at the new model. From what I gather, they've addressed the transducer issue.
There are no other ultrasonics I would recommend. They all use low-frequency, high-wattage units that can damage records. It's a shame really.
Dude, you got a pretty wicked hum in your audio.
I think that's on your end, bud. I don't hear it, and no one else has mentioned it. I appreciate you bringing it to my attention though.
Being retired way out of my budget. I could go $400 bucks max, but for this nope.
I can understand that.
Thanks in part to your reviews I recently got a silver mark ii and am thrilled with it - thanks for the informative Degritter videos! Keep up the great work.
I'm certain you'll be more than happy with it.
glad to see this type of product evolving, as progress in this area can only help the vinyl hobby and the mass market consumer down the road. As consumer awareness increases about the technology, bad machines will be forced out, and optimal designs will have competition.
If that were true, we wouldn't have Crosley's and Victrola's running about. But I see your point and I do agrees that pushing the tech can only help the hobby as a whole.
Degritter is offering upgrade path. What are your thoughts on upgrading for an additional $1700?
I can't honestly say until I try the new one. I sent them an email inquiring about a review. I'm hoping to hear back.
I had no idea a Mk II was out. Unfortunately it's still too rich for my blood:) But many thanks for the head's up!
I had no idea either. I'm kind of embarassed about it.
💖 'Promosm'
So would you caution against a product like the Humminguru? Because that uses a low 40khz frequency compared to the Degritter.
The HG is woefully underpowered so I'd worry less about damage, and more about it not doing much to clean your records.
@@thevinylattack I use the Humminguru, it may not do miracles but it works.
It's an awesome machine and also they have very good customer service. Had a problem with my first unit, they tried trouble shooting a little with me but ended up simply replacing it. They sent a brand new unit in less than a week with prepaid return shipping for the old one. The extra detail you pick up listening to a freshly cleaned record is honestly surprising, like you upgraded your cart or phonostage. Highly recommended!
I had the same experience. Twice. Definitely good people in the Degritter camp.
Of course I got mine right after the price increased...lol
Ouch.
Where did you purchase your Degritter?
I think it was Music Direct. I traded in my ProJect vacuum cleaning machine to offset the cost.
That Degritter is $100 shy of 5 grand here and if I'm saving & spending 5 grand wisely on peripheral equipment for a sound system I'd rather it was on a DAC and quality external storage that is less likely to fail or rot (the only thing I can do right now is back-up). Vinyl is just too damn expensive a hobby to maintain, at that price. I'll keep my records for now just in case something affordable and of this quality comes to market but I won't hold my breath.
Maintenance isn't the issue with vinyl. It's the upfront cost. Records will last longer than a hard drive if you treat them well. But getting to perform their best is a costly investment.
@@thevinylattack Yeah, at the moment with money being so tight personally I'd rather replace a dead couple hundred dollar external hard drive and have the second spare with all my files backed up, ready to go, every 5-10 years than pay 5k for an ultrasonic record cleaner. I do hope something more affordable, but nearly as good & safe to use comes along someday though. I don't trust the really cheap ones either at the moment. I've seen videos showcasing under a microscope what happens to vinyl cleaned for just a few minutes too long in these things. Stuff of nightmares!
@@SpirallingOut Only if they're cleaned with low frequency, high wattage models. The Degritter is as safe as you're going to find.
As impressive as the Degritter is I’m thinking of buying a Keith Monks Prodigy. Beautiful, bamboo construction and costs a third as much. Requires more attention, sure but the entire vinyl experience is very tedious anyway.
It's all a matter of budget and performance. Like everything with our hobby, right? lol
Save up for a second-hand "real" Keith Monks machine, or a Loricraft. The Prodigy is terrible value for money despite looking very modern.
BBC use Keith Monks
Where did you get that shirt!
A company called Into the AM. They sponsored a video a while back. Very comfortable.
You can still buy the original model at the lower price with an extra water tank included for free. Is that the way to go? Or is the new model worth it?
I haven't tried the new model, so I really can't say if it's that much better. I have the original and wouldn't be with out it though.
@@thevinylattack Fair enough. I have a hard time thinking it's *that much* better, especially since the original is the one everyone fell in love with. I like the value in getting the extra water tank for free. I'm obviously talking myself into this :) , btw, really enjoy your channel and honesty in your reviews
@@krhesq Thanks.
Love my degritter !
Same.
first
Hi Chris,
I actually was able to acquire a Degritter at this sale price from an out-of-state dealer. But not only did I get it at the reduced price, it included and extra water bath, free shipping and no tax. Overall I think I ended up saving over $500. I doubt I'm going to regret this purchase as it's a remarkable machine for what it does. My only advice to others out there ... buy it.
I guarantee you'll love it. Keep us posted.