The Humminguru is, dollar-for-dollar, the best investment I've made in my vinyl listening. The results are night and day coming from a vacuum system and, before that, a Spin Clean. Early units had some teething issues, but pretty much every component in the machine can be user-replaced, and Happywell has proven very responsive in providing new parts to owners. It's a terrific little thing.
Hey Mazzy. Great stuff. I’ve just got the HG and only done about 10 lps so far. Really happy with the results. I also bought a little bottle of their new additive, a surfactant I think. Only need one drop per tank. Makes a few suds but nothing to be concerned about I think. Was using a SpinClean previously. Cheers
Very entertaining, guys! Thank you! I own the predecessor to the m/c you have shown and it is abt 4 years old and has served abt 2000 washes. It only had one little issue with transmission for the cleaning brushes. Luckily the manufacturer is in close driving distance from my home. The people I met in that small family company were so friendly and comforting, and so enthusiastic and proud of what they do. For me the Glaess does a very fine and convenient cleaning job. Since, in case, it can be repaired I will never let it go for an alternative product. Although high priced, I can only recommend their product given a regular and high need for record cleaning.
I recently bought a Degritter Mk 2. I notice it was also coming out with a few drops of water. There's an adjustment for the time and intensity of the fan. I have the fan set for 4 minutes. So I turned up the intensity a little and that took care of the problem. It also has an option for degassing the water before you get started. Also if I have a really dirty record, I'll preclean with my daughter's cotton make up wipes and a little alcohol and water mix. All and all, I'm very happy with the Degritter. We love you too, Mazzy.
Really nice demonstration. I use Tergikleen and the distilled water is heated to 34 degrees Celsius. I also degass the water prior to cleaning which is important because it reduces the tension in the water. Total cost of my setup is 500. Thank You
What an absolute wonderful and enjoyable video that was for us vinyl fanatics. I do hope Mr Fremer has time to view it....we forget sometimes how it's wonderful to be alive. Thank you both.
Thanks again, Mas... You are the music guru... Just got the Bill Evan's Trio, Village Vanguard, 1961 on CD... according to the liner notes, this is 100% analog with 20-bit K2 Coding... I'll keep you posted...
I put together a Chinese ultrasonic based home-grown machine a few years ago, ebay motor and controller, pump and filter to clean fluid, etc., cleans 4 records at a time.. Cost a few hundred bucks total, seems to work well. I use a VPI 16.5 to dry. It's something of a 'production' to use, but once you get through your collection, and stay disciplined enough to do all the fresh 'incoming', it's not bad. Another plus: did not cost 4k.😉
@@roscoejones4515 Ha ha ha. Sometimes we cant find time for everything that we would enjoy doing. And I do think you may have better skills at this than I might bring.
Fun video! I've been considering getting several Hummingurus and one Degritter. For now I'm sticking to my manual process which consists of Audio Intelligent cleaning products, goat hair brushes, a Record Doctor cleaning machine and a Vinyl Styl. I understand that Audio Intelligent makes a solution for Ultrasonic machines. You should try it out and give a review.
Hey Mazzy, not for nothing but I didn’t really learn anything from this video, I will continue manually cleaning my used records. Just curious, what’s the price of your record cleaner? you said it’s an entry level machine?
I'm not sure you can really compare a $400 machine with a $2500 machine and expect a fair result but bearing in mind that I own the Humminguru, for $400 it's bloody marvellous!
Great vinyl public service! Have the Humminguru for a couple of months, under 100 cleaned so far, in only distilled water. Been watching cleaning machines forever. Had considered Degritter until I saw the Hummer…. Love the Humminguru!
Hi Mazzy, a fun video. However I'm curious about how the records sounded after the clean. Was there a discernible improvement after the cleans? Reduced surface noise, any 'skips' fixed etc. Cheers.
There is always an improvement in cleaning order records from either machine. You won’t eliminate a rest he’s or deep aberrations of the material, but you get most or all of the dirt, grime and mold out . Audible improvements are realized in most records after cleaning.
@@mazzysmusic thanks. I have Knosti Disco Antistatic spin cleaner which is effective. But I have considered the Humminguru. Also wondering if it's possible to use the Knosti fluid in your machine?
OMG! I howled my butt off at you 2 guys. That was great fun...and I learned absolutely NOTHING abut record cleaning! I own a Hummingdinger too, Masi and have only cleaned about 30 records with it so far...3 cleaning sessions while spinning vinyl in the adjoining room. I use a surfactant and to this point have NOT done rinse cycles after the wash...but that's about to change as soon as I order an additional tank where I can keep clean distilled rinse water to pour into the machine after the wash fluid has drained, and before I hit DRY. I think that's a much better way to go in the longer term so I don't get build up in the micro grooves or gum up my styli. Thank you for that, Masi. As always, very entertaining and time well spent.
Great video as always Mazzy, but you missed the opportunity of testing the machines while cleaning The Best of Richard Cheese - The Sunny Side of the Moon, while enjoying the Martinis 🍸
I enjoyed watching the two of you behind your machines a lot. Very entertaining and also a little informative. The first cleaning machine I got, I shared the investment of around 1,700 Euros with a friend who lived nearby. So we split cost and usage. The machine was a Hannl and looked more impressive than most record players. But it did the job very well. Only when I moved around 400 miles away (to Berlin), he paid me off and I bought my own one, also from Hannl. I still have and use it. Even today, when we have visitors at home, some people think that I have got a very impressive record player, as it is quite massive and looks a bit like a player with three arms. When I point to my Linn Sondek LP12, they look a bit dissepointed, as this machine does not look spectacular at all. But it sounds pretty good. Not only while your are enjoying a Martini or G+T while listening. And that's what matters in the end.
Very interesting comparison. Thanks! I think the thicker water droplets on the record in the hummin is indicative of a failure to saturate deep into the grooves. It really seems like it could use some surfactant whereas the AD seems to get in the grooves without it.
I think a demonstration of the dirty record being played before and after would have been most helpful. You needn’t have used one of your pricey cartridges, in case you were worried about damaging the stylus.
Took me awhile to finish this... (busy life), but what a swell vid. As you know I'm a Humminguruette... and I love mine, tho the process is a big fucking hassle. I've had great results. You and the Dr were a great paring. Good Ultrasonic Vibrations Mazz.
I enjoyed a refresher on the joy of intelligent conversation among friends, in a time of so much public acrimony, even if nothing much was said. To answer the question of what would I buy, I am considering the Degritter, primarily because it uses a more traditional ultrasonic cleaning frequency than the humminguru , but have yet to overcome my price objection,. Given the importance I place on record preservation, and not knowing much about ultrasonic cleaning beyond wishing to avoid the possible negative effects, I would only consider buying a machine specifically designed to clean vinyl records. A generic cleaner with some external devices added to make it into a record cleaner seems like too much of a "me too", let's cash in while the market is hot device, for myself, as an uneducated consumer , to invest in.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. The fact that more versions of record cleaners continue to come forward is an indication of how our collective interest in vinyl records is recognized.
Ive been using a Vevor uc for the past couple of months. Cost me $160 delivered and it's dead easy to use, can clean 2 lps at a time using a precleaning and only distilled water in the tank. I dry with my 35 year old NittyGritty 1.5. Outstanding results. Many lps sound like new. Almost all sound as if a veil was lifted from playback.
Would like to suggest a future segment on warped records. There are a few different methods/machines etc and also companies who offer the service. Thank You
Hello, the machine from Gläss costs about 2800€ in Germany, the service of the manufacturer is very good here, logistically it is of course also much easier to have the machine repaired here on site. Best regards from Cologne, the home of CAN and Annenmaykantereit.
The blinking red light on the Audio Desk is sending subliminal messages that say “I know you have $4000, you can afford me, I can keep regenerating and never die, my fluids are of the highest grade, I spin faster, look at me, still buy me…
I bought the audio desk second hand for 1600 euros, and the man who sold it had it in a workshop in Germany (possibly it's different in the US or a country bigger than Norway). The pump got stuck, and I got the device fixed completely free with shipping. It took two months. I have now washed 1000 vinyl records, they work perfectly. The problem with the audio desk is that if you want to fix the machine, I, who live in Norway, have to send it to Germany. I also had a chat with the insurance company, they guarantee to replace it if it breaks down to a new machine. Deductible of 200 euros.
It seems like just cleaning with distilled water to maintain cleanliness after you have done the initial cleaning with a surfactant would be enough. After that I would think a cleaning with a Groovewasher would be enough. Unless you want to use clean it occasionally to remove any residue from the GW. Those Thin Man films are great. I appreciate the reference to the movies and the glasses. 👍🏻
I purchased a Klaudio ultrasonic machine about 4 years ago, just before they hiked the price up to 5 grand. It is still functioning like a champ and makes a huge, huge difference in the records I play. If it’s a new album, I just plop it into the Klaudio. I keep my machine is in a different room. I close the door to save my ears from the cacophonous vacuuming process. If it’s a huge album that has been through the wars, I clean it with a solution and a microfiber cloth and then put it in the Klaudio. Only distilled water in my subsonic. It was a ton of money but I couldn’t be happier with the machine. I might purchase one of those plastic things, so I can still clean albums if I have to send the Klaudio back to Germany for repairs.
The few people I know who have the Klaudio absolutely love their machines. They love the results. I will never own it, but I love that there are options and various price points of these for everyone .
Hi Doc, and Maz. Brian here on Capital Hill in Seattle. The water pump is failing ( most likely) on your Audio Desk. For about $80 in parts you can replace your own water pump… super easy….FWIW 2 hours or so total time.
I finally started using my Vevor $225 ultrasonic cleaner about a month ago. There is about a thousand different names of this Chinese made unit. It allows you to clean for whatever time increment you want up to 30 minutes at least would the digital readout. I clean mine at 40° c and I've been doing it at 30 minutes. It might be overkill but I can turn it down if I want to. I've been using church clean on about the last five record cleanings. I've been holding off on using it but I didn't want to pour distilled water onto the LPs and then wipe them clean. My cleaner doesn't dry. But I had bought one of those $70 turn it yourself, SpinClean I think it's called, cleaners prior to buying the ultrasonic cleaner. I never had used it but I put the distilled water in that and put the brushes in for each side and use that to rinse off the Tergicleen hopefully. I'm still in the try Discovery mode trying things and I started out just using distilled water only. But the last five or so LPs I've cleaned because they weren't as important with the Tergicleen And then the SpinClean to rinse and use the brushes to hopefully rents better any Tergicleen left on the vinyl. I don't know yet what's going to work best for me and I'm blind to boot so I just don't see it as well. By the way, I contacted Tergicleen about 5 months after buying a pin of their cleaner because I thought it was leaking through the still sealed bag it came in. They told me to wait two days and they would send me a new bottle because they had had some reports of the old container leaking. So now I have the new, still unopened bottle of Tergicleen and the original bottle that once I opened it realized wasn't leaking. I don't know if using that stuff is going to ruin my records or help them or neither? I can tell you it really has become time-consuming cleaning records. I've never done more than one LP at a time even though it says I can clean up to 7:00 at a time with my ultrasonic cleaner. I want to do the tin foil test like Steve westman, I believe it was him, mentioned on his RUclips channel in a recent video. I think mine is sending the bubbles up from the bottom which supposedly does the best cleaning. But this really has become a question of should I use anything or shouldn't I in the water and is it making a big difference. I have noticed a difference using the cleaner and not using the cleaner but it seems to just be the same as far as cleaning the record goes. I think after I clean some of the non, or maybe not as, important LPs I'm going to go back to just using distilled water only. But I really don't know yet? The Tergicleen his only made a complete hole through three of the records so far. I'm just kidding! But I hope I'm not kidding in 6 or 10 years :-) It can be really hard to decide when 50% of the people don't seem to think it matters, 50% of the people say it will ruin your records, and the other 50% don't seem to know what you're talking about. Again, I'm just kidding... I know that equals 200%, right :-) I just want my records that sounded mint 2 years ago to sound almost meant! Why does it have to be so complicated :-) Brian in Fort Worth 🎶 PS: I don't know if Google has typed a lot of errors in here and I've caught what I could on my phone as I'm making this post. But I can't see worth a darn right now because after going to the eye doctor today for my appointment my appointment I left my magnifier I use to view things like this on my phone in my friend's car that took me. So please excuse the errors I didn't manually type in or even the ones that I might have typed in myself 🤔😁 I can't tell and I'm not even drinking haha...
40 egrees C is too much for a record to handle. It is called the danger zone and re ords start to warp and deform. As to use of any cleaning solution it is best to consult the ingredients list and compare it to the PVC and plasticizer chemical compatability charts. Ethylene oxide is a no no for pvc. Of greater concern, many Vevor products are stopped by customs as they are deemed electrical hazards. One should look for the UL or cross referenced electrical safety and FCC emissions compliance sticker on any AC driven product especially one that sees water being used. Many Chinese resellers skirt around this by describing the device as a toy. Google UK customs vevor ultrasonic import ban shock Hazzard. It describes their remedy to destroy the product before it enters the UK.
@@kirmussaudio7578 I really didn't find too much information on what temperature I should put it on. Unfortunately, the ultrasonic cleaner came with a picture type manual. And of course the Chinese translated to English one page type of joke :-) Thanks for letting me know this. Everything I could find was saying between 35° to 45° C was the best for records. What should I use if you don't mind helping out again? I really am not sure. Thanks again!
@Bootradr's Vinyl Visits cavitation generates heat through kinetic energy by the implosion. Lots of trolls out there that promote nonsense. At the start room temperature water at 72 deg f is fine. If z heater is used do not let UT ho higher than 85 degrees. The water will heat by utself. Stop at 102 deg.
These are great for a small collection but in my case at over 5000 albums, Vevor does a great job at 8 album at one time. Plus you can purchase several at the cost you pay for the Audio Desk or Humming Guru...
Belfast is a great city for a gig, seen Gaz Coombes perform his recent album last weekend, fantastic stuff....nice spin over from Co. Donegal..Doc Robert & Mr Maslov are entertainig fellows..
But we feel most new records don’t need a cleaning. Of course some do if there is excess residue from the manufacturing. Old used records have the grime in the grooves. Not sure how to find two of the same records w the same needs. We both have found that both our machines improve most old dirty records. Im sure the Audio Desk actually goes deeper than the HG. But the HG works very well for what it costs. Some records are like night and day before and after.
New records pressed 16 years or earlier need to be cleaned. The PVC mix is not the same as what was used prior. Proof, look at what your needle is picking out of the groove. Second play sounds better.
@Robert Hart if you are responding to whether the machines are ultrasonics or not, buyer beware. Do look at the other sites that have not detected cavitation or where electrical safety approvals have no listing
In Dublin I went to Freebird and Spindizzy. Had good luck at both but the best was Freebird. In Belfast I went to Voodoo Soup and Go to Joe's. I brought home about 70 records total. They were all good stores...
Some good clean(ing) fun there, Mazzy. Bravo for approaching this highly volatile topic with the serious reverence it deserves. Mr. Fremer chafes at the notion of cleaning records as ritualistic endeavor, but I respectfully disagree. Before cleaning records I light candles and incense, which invariably helps prepare the grooves for the imminent cleansing event to follow. If record cleaning is in any way convenient, fast or mess-free, you’re not doing it right. Who is this Van Morrissey fellow?
Doesn't look like you put enough water in the Guru and if you use the 10min dry, you won't have any drops left. I use the AUTO 5min clean/10min dry with perfect results. Also I now have the HumminGuru surfactant drops and the water coats the enitre record. I've only cleaned about 100 records so far with no issues!
I do. But I have many originals already. Cant stand smelly moldy records. But if I come across something I feel Ive missed, I’ll grab the cleanest copy I can find ✌🏼
Me too, although I have been considering getting a couple of HGs. For manual cleaning I use goat hair brushes and Audio Intelligent products in combination with a Record Doctor and a Vinyl Styl.
I have the Kirmuss machine (Upscale Audio version). I think Michael Fremer is dead on about it. It is a time-consuming process and it works well to restore problem records that are not damaged. Cleaning 2-3 12" at a time (depending on model) it can save some time, but remember to do the full process every time. You can't really leave that contraption and its many parts and jugs of water (not recommended to be reused) out in your living room or kitchen really. Maybe if you have a lot of space.. Day to day I still use my VPI with a cleaning fluid based on 99% Ultra Pure water. I also rinse with distilled water. It works well and takes much less time. I'm not really worried about cleaner residue at the molecular level. I've had some records respond really well to the Kirmuss. Get the cleaning machine that works for your collection/lifestyle needs.
Noted! Thanks. Using cavitation, as properly defined, ...Any test on any record cleaning process should use the scientific method and remark on the end result in signal gain or loss as the needle should be making better contact with the pressed grooves. One would assume if the cleaning process was as advertised. In any test of any ultrasonic cleaning process, one should ask the nanufactuter their specifications as well as to the intended or expected result. Testing if not available to the journalist using test equipment should see available from the manufacturer the cavitational energy present in an advertised ultrasonic as measured in Cavins or watts per square centimeter and if it is even throughout the tank. Or the journalust or blogger should test for cavitation using aluminum foil test records to validate the presence of cavitation. Fremer as well as others have commented where the word ultrasonic is misused. Case in point one of the machines just reviewed. Ultrasonic misting or bubbling is not cavitation. Using the word ulttssonic expecting cavitation is misleading to the audio and record enthusiast. Non cavitational machines do remove surface materials but in the same breath some have been noted to dry on the record what dropped off into the tank from prior cleanings as the filters provided see pores larger than the size of 3 to 5 microns of dirt and dust. Thus, these are suspended in the water. True cavitation should see records cone out if a process virtually dry. Testing should be more involved.
Wash ALL records you purchase new or old. Most new records I purchase after one wash through the HumminGuru, result in a reservoir full of murky gross water. New records have anti-mold chems and all kinds of other crap. I get purchasing a vintage pressing that you know has been cleaned and you can tell. But I would never skimp on the new ones...
Jessica Chastain did not play Loretta Lynn. She played Tammy Wynette in "George and Tammy." I have an original Klaudio and it has worked great since 2016.
@Norman Maslov Would love it. Will bring test foil records as well as a cavitation energy meter to prove which machines are ultrasonics using cavitation and which are not. Similarly to what Fremer and others have done. No drinking please in that video.
@@trackingangle929 Thanks for the information. But you have to admitt, that it doesn`t leave waterdrops and the record dries much faster than whithout it.
I never understand why people harp on saying “vinyls.” I understand the explanation that vinyl is simply the material and “record” is the actual object, but by that logic, shouldn’t we not say “tapes” either?
Humminguru is not in the same league as the Audio Desk. A better comparison would be the Audio Desk against the Degritter. It’s all in the transducers guys, I know this video is supposed to be fun but the Huminguru is just a toy.
You can get a proper 6.5L Ultrasonic Bath with an attachment for the records. You can do 1-5 records in one go. Plus it is cheaper, more simple design that would add on reliability. Buy once. Spinning speed 1-4 rpm and lower is better. These cleaners are mainly a ripoff because there is only one function to clean records. Ultrasonic cleaners all work the same and to be honest I do question how effective these are.
I'm really careful with my Ultrasonic vinyl desk cleaner, so I have a cheaper project vinyl cleaner (like a vacuum cleaner), which I use 95 percent of all cleaning. What I did, went through my entire collection washed it with ultra sonic, then I basically just use project vinyl cleaner. Vinyl I buy second I use first, and then the Ultrasonic desk cleaner. So I want to save money on it. I have a dog, so there is hair all the time, I destroyed pin after pin, washed vinyl after vinyl. Never good. With audio desk a completely new experience.
I've been owning records for the last 40+ years (Im in my 50s), and like Mazzy I also worked in a records store for quite awhile back in the day. And to this day I still only use a Discwasher brush with it's fluid to clean my records. All this seems like overkill, unless you have a huge amount of cruddy records from somewhere. But yeesh, I just couldn't waste my time doing this. More power to you two.
There's nothing clean about a record called Fist City. 😄
The Humminguru is, dollar-for-dollar, the best investment I've made in my vinyl listening. The results are night and day coming from a vacuum system and, before that, a Spin Clean. Early units had some teething issues, but pretty much every component in the machine can be user-replaced, and Happywell has proven very responsive in providing new parts to owners. It's a terrific little thing.
Hey Mazzy. Great stuff. I’ve just got the HG and only done about 10 lps so far. Really happy with the results. I also bought a little bottle of their new additive, a surfactant I think. Only need one drop per tank. Makes a few suds but nothing to be concerned about I think. Was using a SpinClean previously. Cheers
Very entertaining video! More video's like this please. Put's a smile on my face.
Thanks for your comment. That is always our goal.
That was such fun after a pretty hard working day which left me pretty much kaputt 😁. Thanks a lot from Germany to both of you!
Relax now 🥂🍸🥁
Thanks guys great video and quite funny, Coming from the record business it brings back memories.
Good memories ??
Very entertaining, guys! Thank you! I own the predecessor to the m/c you have shown and it is abt 4 years old and has served abt 2000 washes. It only had one little issue with transmission for the cleaning brushes. Luckily the manufacturer is in close driving distance from my home. The people I met in that small family company were so friendly and comforting, and so enthusiastic and proud of what they do. For me the Glaess does a very fine and convenient cleaning job. Since, in case, it can be repaired I will never let it go for an alternative product. Although high priced, I can only recommend their product given a regular and high need for record cleaning.
Thanks Thomas! What city is the HQ in? Delighted to hear your details re: the company, I agree it is a great product with great service.
In the SW of Germany, in a village called Koenigsbronn, not far from Stuttgart.
I recently bought a Degritter Mk 2. I notice it was also coming out with a few drops of water. There's an adjustment for the time and intensity of the fan. I have the fan set for 4 minutes. So I turned up the intensity a little and that took care of the problem. It also has an option for degassing the water before you get started. Also if I have a really dirty record, I'll preclean with my daughter's cotton make up wipes and a little alcohol and water mix. All and all, I'm very happy with the Degritter. We love you too, Mazzy.
Really nice demonstration. I use Tergikleen and the distilled water is heated to 34 degrees Celsius. I also degass the water prior to cleaning which is important because it reduces the tension in the water. Total cost of my setup is 500. Thank You
What an absolute wonderful and enjoyable video that was for us vinyl fanatics. I do hope Mr Fremer has time to view it....we forget sometimes how it's wonderful to be alive.
Thank you both.
love the video! 😂
greetings from vienna 🇦🇹
You guys are hilarious! Great video guys! Bravo! Cheers!
Thanks again, Mas... You are the music guru... Just got the Bill Evan's Trio, Village Vanguard, 1961 on CD... according to the liner notes, this is 100% analog with 20-bit K2 Coding... I'll keep you posted...
I put together a Chinese ultrasonic based home-grown machine a few years ago, ebay motor and controller, pump and filter to clean fluid, etc., cleans 4 records at a time.. Cost a few hundred bucks total, seems to work well. I use a VPI 16.5 to dry. It's something of a 'production' to use, but once you get through your collection, and stay disciplined enough to do all the fresh 'incoming', it's not bad. Another plus: did not cost 4k.😉
Nicely done Roscoe, sounds like you are handier at this stuff than I am!😷
@@Doctore_Robert yes, I'm sure you're lacking the eye/hand coordination to pull off this miracle of diy! 😏
@@roscoejones4515 Ha ha ha. Sometimes we cant find time for everything that we would enjoy doing. And I do think you may have better skills at this than I might bring.
4000 to clean records, suckers born every second. He my be a doctor definitely not an engineer.......... lol
I’ve wanted an ultrasonic record cleaner for years, but was put off by the price. The Humminguru is within my means.
You won't regret it. I finally bit the bullet, and I should have done it years ago
Fun video! I've been considering getting several Hummingurus and one Degritter. For now I'm sticking to my manual process which consists of Audio Intelligent cleaning products, goat hair brushes, a Record Doctor cleaning machine and a Vinyl Styl.
I understand that Audio Intelligent makes a solution for Ultrasonic machines. You should try it out and give a review.
You guys are crazy cool. The world needs you!
Finally a reasonable comment 😍😁🤓
@@mazzysmusic I concur
@@mazzysmusic Yeah... but, we *ALL* know that you paid him...
@@latheofheaven My vinyl work is all pro bono at this point, sadly...
Mazzy, you may need to contact Humminguru, because I have never had an album not come out completely dry. Your album still looked pretty wet.
Love the Hudson hi fi inner sleeves. Great value
YES!!!
Hey Mazzy, not for nothing but I didn’t really learn anything from this video, I will continue manually cleaning my used records. Just curious, what’s the price of your record cleaner? you said it’s an entry level machine?
Hey Frank. In the video I did share the price of the Humminguru $420. Shipped direct from them.
I'm not sure you can really compare a $400 machine with a $2500 machine and expect a fair result but bearing in mind that I own the Humminguru, for $400 it's bloody marvellous!
Great vinyl public service!
Have the Humminguru for a couple of months, under 100 cleaned so far, in only distilled water.
Been watching cleaning machines forever. Had considered Degritter until I saw the Hummer….
Love the Humminguru!
Exactly what happened to me. I’m pretty happy with my Humminguru.
Hi Mazzy, a fun video. However I'm curious about how the records sounded after the clean. Was there a discernible improvement after the cleans? Reduced surface noise, any 'skips' fixed etc. Cheers.
There is always an improvement in cleaning order records from either machine. You won’t eliminate a rest he’s or deep aberrations of the material, but you get most or all of the dirt, grime and mold out . Audible improvements are realized in most records after cleaning.
@@mazzysmusic thanks. I have Knosti Disco Antistatic spin cleaner which is effective. But I have considered the Humminguru. Also wondering if it's possible to use the Knosti fluid in your machine?
OMG! I howled my butt off at you 2 guys. That was great fun...and I learned absolutely NOTHING abut record cleaning! I own a Hummingdinger too, Masi and have only cleaned about 30 records with it so far...3 cleaning sessions while spinning vinyl in the adjoining room. I use a surfactant and to this point have NOT done rinse cycles after the wash...but that's about to change as soon as I order an additional tank where I can keep clean distilled rinse water to pour into the machine after the wash fluid has drained, and before I hit DRY. I think that's a much better way to go in the longer term so I don't get build up in the micro grooves or gum up my styli.
Thank you for that, Masi. As always, very entertaining and time well spent.
Great video as always Mazzy, but you missed the opportunity of testing the machines while cleaning The Best of Richard Cheese - The Sunny Side of the Moon, while enjoying the Martinis 🍸
Great video guys, love it😃
Thank you!
Very funny and entertaining. Thanks guys.
I enjoyed watching the two of you behind your machines a lot. Very entertaining and also a little informative. The first cleaning machine I got, I shared the investment of around 1,700 Euros with a friend who lived nearby. So we split cost and usage. The machine was a Hannl and looked more impressive than most record players. But it did the job very well. Only when I moved around 400 miles away (to Berlin), he paid me off and I bought my own one, also from Hannl. I still have and use it. Even today, when we have visitors at home, some people think that I have got a very impressive record player, as it is quite massive and looks a bit like a player with three arms. When I point to my Linn Sondek LP12, they look a bit dissepointed, as this machine does not look spectacular at all. But it sounds pretty good. Not only while your are enjoying a Martini or G+T while listening. And that's what matters in the end.
I can’t wait till I get a guru. Hopefully next year. Im too lazy to use my spin clean LOL
There is a song on Loretta’s album called “ How Long Will It Take “. I’m not sure what they were thinking about with the album title.
Very interesting comparison. Thanks! I think the thicker water droplets on the record in the hummin is indicative of a failure to saturate deep into the grooves. It really seems like it could use some surfactant whereas the AD seems to get in the grooves without it.
I clean my records manually, that’s how I keep in shape.
same here, records still sound as good as it was bought..
@@TheRollingStoness No judgement brother. We were mostly just having fun.
I think a demonstration of the dirty record being played before and after would have been most helpful. You needn’t have used one of your pricey cartridges, in case you were worried about damaging the stylus.
Took me awhile to finish this... (busy life), but what a swell vid. As you know I'm a Humminguruette... and I love mine, tho the process is a big fucking hassle. I've had great results. You and the Dr were a great paring. Good Ultrasonic Vibrations Mazz.
It’s so scientific 😏😵💫
I enjoyed a refresher on the joy of intelligent conversation among friends, in a time of so much public acrimony, even if nothing much was said. To answer the question of what would I buy, I am considering the Degritter, primarily because it uses a more traditional ultrasonic cleaning frequency than the humminguru , but have yet to overcome my price objection,.
Given the importance I place on record preservation, and not knowing much about ultrasonic cleaning beyond wishing to avoid the possible negative effects, I would only consider buying a machine specifically designed to clean vinyl records.
A generic cleaner with some external devices added to make it into a record cleaner seems like too much of a "me too", let's cash in while the market is hot device, for myself, as an uneducated consumer , to invest in.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. The fact that more versions of record cleaners continue to come forward is an indication of how our collective interest in vinyl records is recognized.
Hey Mazzy that was a fistful of fun thanks
Ive been using a Vevor uc for the past couple of months. Cost me $160 delivered and it's dead easy to use, can clean 2 lps at a time using a precleaning and only distilled water in the tank. I dry with my 35 year old NittyGritty 1.5. Outstanding results. Many lps sound like new. Almost all sound as if a veil was lifted from playback.
Which frequency does it use to clean?
Does this mean that if you used the world's best hi-fi system you need never clean a record,just play 'em loud?I'm in.
I love your videos with your drinking and having a great time with music. Do you think you could do one smoking weed?😎
As soon as I am unoacked and functioning... I am ordering a Humminguru!---join the circus!
Great idea mazzy
Would like to suggest a future segment on warped records. There are a few different methods/machines etc and also companies who offer the service. Thank You
Why not buy a new record? It might be cheaper than warp drive.
Hello, the machine from Gläss costs about 2800€ in Germany,
the service of the manufacturer is very good here, logistically it is of course also much easier to have the machine repaired here on site.
Best regards from Cologne, the home of CAN and Annenmaykantereit.
Thanks for your comment, this sounds spot on.
The blinking red light on the Audio Desk is sending subliminal messages that say “I know you have $4000, you can afford me, I can keep regenerating and never die, my fluids are of the highest grade, I spin faster, look at me, still buy me…
Youre probably right, I may be hypnotized...
I looked up Fist City. The title song was a #1 country hit as a single, and so was the LP. I’m gonna stream it later. Great reviews.
I bought the audio desk second hand for 1600 euros, and the man who sold it had it in a workshop in Germany (possibly it's different in the US or a country bigger than Norway). The pump got stuck, and I got the device fixed completely free with shipping. It took two months. I have now washed 1000 vinyl records, they work perfectly. The problem with the audio desk is that if you want to fix the machine, I, who live in Norway, have to send it to Germany. I also had a chat with the insurance company, they guarantee to replace it if it breaks down to a new machine. Deductible of 200 euros.
It seems like just cleaning with distilled water to maintain cleanliness after you have done the initial cleaning with a surfactant would be enough. After that I would think a cleaning with a Groovewasher would be enough. Unless you want to use clean it occasionally to remove any residue from the GW. Those Thin Man films are great. I appreciate the reference to the movies and the glasses. 👍🏻
I just got my copy of Bang on vinyl. Bought and watched the doc too on RUclips 💪💯🏁
Mazzy's Martini lesson was my favorite part -- Mike
Hi, Norman. You should be putting more distilled water into the Humminguru. There are markings for 12” and 7” records on one corner of the reservoir.
I do use those markings ✌🏼
I purchased a Klaudio ultrasonic machine about 4 years ago, just before they hiked the price up to 5 grand. It is still functioning like a champ and makes a huge, huge difference in the records I play. If it’s a new album, I just plop it into the Klaudio. I keep my machine is in a different room. I close the door to save my ears from the cacophonous vacuuming process. If it’s a huge album that has been through the wars, I clean it with a solution and a microfiber cloth and then put it in the Klaudio. Only distilled water in my subsonic. It was a ton of money but I couldn’t be happier with the machine. I might purchase one of those plastic things, so I can still clean albums if I have to send the Klaudio back to Germany for repairs.
The few people I know who have the Klaudio absolutely love their machines. They love the results. I will never own it, but I love that there are options and various price points of these for everyone .
@@mazzysmusic I'm just glad that there is a machine that is more expensive than the one I have been flogging through the last 10 years or so.
Hi Doc, and Maz. Brian here on Capital Hill in Seattle. The water pump is failing ( most likely) on your Audio Desk. For about $80 in parts you can replace your own water pump… super easy….FWIW 2 hours or so total time.
Wow, thanks for that tip. Is there a RUclips video showing the process? :)
@@Doctore_Robert hi Doc, let me see what I can find. I kind of figured it out on my own based upon internet descriptions. EZ though.
I just recently purchased the Record Pi record flattener. Next I will be purchasing an ultrasonic cleaner
I finally started using my Vevor $225 ultrasonic cleaner about a month ago. There is about a thousand different names of this Chinese made unit. It allows you to clean for whatever time increment you want up to 30 minutes at least would the digital readout. I clean mine at 40° c and I've been doing it at 30 minutes. It might be overkill but I can turn it down if I want to. I've been using church clean on about the last five record cleanings. I've been holding off on using it but I didn't want to pour distilled water onto the LPs and then wipe them clean. My cleaner doesn't dry. But I had bought one of those $70 turn it yourself, SpinClean I think it's called, cleaners prior to buying the ultrasonic cleaner. I never had used it but I put the distilled water in that and put the brushes in for each side and use that to rinse off the Tergicleen hopefully. I'm still in the try Discovery mode trying things and I started out just using distilled water only. But the last five or so LPs I've cleaned because they weren't as important with the Tergicleen And then the SpinClean to rinse and use the brushes to hopefully rents better any Tergicleen left on the vinyl. I don't know yet what's going to work best for me and I'm blind to boot so I just don't see it as well.
By the way, I contacted Tergicleen about 5 months after buying a pin of their cleaner because I thought it was leaking through the still sealed bag it came in. They told me to wait two days and they would send me a new bottle because they had had some reports of the old container leaking. So now I have the new, still unopened bottle of Tergicleen and the original bottle that once I opened it realized wasn't leaking. I don't know if using that stuff is going to ruin my records or help them or neither? I can tell you it really has become time-consuming cleaning records. I've never done more than one LP at a time even though it says I can clean up to 7:00 at a time with my ultrasonic cleaner. I want to do the tin foil test like Steve westman, I believe it was him, mentioned on his RUclips channel in a recent video. I think mine is sending the bubbles up from the bottom which supposedly does the best cleaning. But this really has become a question of should I use anything or shouldn't I in the water and is it making a big difference. I have noticed a difference using the cleaner and not using the cleaner but it seems to just be the same as far as cleaning the record goes. I think after I clean some of the non, or maybe not as, important LPs I'm going to go back to just using distilled water only. But I really don't know yet?
The Tergicleen his only made a complete hole through three of the records so far. I'm just kidding! But I hope I'm not kidding in 6 or 10 years :-) It can be really hard to decide when 50% of the people don't seem to think it matters, 50% of the people say it will ruin your records, and the other 50% don't seem to know what you're talking about. Again, I'm just kidding... I know that equals 200%, right :-)
I just want my records that sounded mint 2 years ago to sound almost meant! Why does it have to be so complicated :-)
Brian in Fort Worth 🎶
PS: I don't know if Google has typed a lot of errors in here and I've caught what I could on my phone as I'm making this post. But I can't see worth a darn right now because after going to the eye doctor today for my appointment my appointment I left my magnifier I use to view things like this on my phone in my friend's car that took me. So please excuse the errors I didn't manually type in or even the ones that I might have typed in myself 🤔😁 I can't tell and I'm not even drinking haha...
40 egrees C is too much for a record to handle. It is called the danger zone and re ords start to warp and deform.
As to use of any cleaning solution it is best to consult the ingredients list and compare it to the PVC and plasticizer chemical compatability charts.
Ethylene oxide is a no no for pvc.
Of greater concern, many Vevor products are stopped by customs as they are deemed electrical hazards. One should look for the UL or cross referenced electrical safety and FCC emissions compliance sticker on any AC driven product especially one that sees water being used. Many Chinese resellers skirt around this by describing the device as a toy.
Google UK customs vevor ultrasonic import ban shock Hazzard. It describes their remedy to destroy the product before it enters the UK.
@@kirmussaudio7578 I really didn't find too much information on what temperature I should put it on. Unfortunately, the ultrasonic cleaner came with a picture type manual. And of course the Chinese translated to English one page type of joke :-) Thanks for letting me know this. Everything I could find was saying between 35° to 45° C was the best for records. What should I use if you don't mind helping out again? I really am not sure. Thanks again!
@Bootradr's Vinyl Visits cavitation generates heat through kinetic energy by the implosion. Lots of trolls out there that promote nonsense.
At the start room temperature water at 72 deg f is fine. If z heater is used do not let UT ho higher than 85 degrees. The water will heat by utself. Stop at 102 deg.
Thanks Massy and Doc Robert for the funny and entertaining video.
Thanks Enrique!
These are great for a small collection but in my case at over 5000 albums, Vevor does a great job at 8 album at one time. Plus you can purchase several at the cost you pay for the Audio Desk or Humming Guru...
Belfast is a great city for a gig, seen Gaz Coombes perform his recent album last weekend, fantastic stuff....nice spin over from Co. Donegal..Doc Robert & Mr Maslov are entertainig fellows..
Thanks for your comment, my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed Belfast and Dublin
That looks like a great time
So what was the result I could only take 2:46 of this…
What if you both cleaned the same new records? But two copies, clean and then compare results?
Very scientific! But costly and difficult to organize. Not that I don't like your thinking!
@@Doctore_Robert costly?
But we feel most new records don’t need a cleaning. Of course some do if there is excess residue from the manufacturing. Old used records have the grime in the grooves. Not sure how to find two of the same records w the same needs. We both have found that both our machines improve most old dirty records. Im sure the Audio Desk actually goes deeper than the HG. But the HG works very well for what it costs. Some records are like night and day before and after.
@@mazzysmusic Good points
New records pressed 16 years or earlier need to be cleaned. The PVC mix is not the same as what was used prior. Proof, look at what your needle is picking out of the groove. Second play sounds better.
my goodness this is entertaining lol
Thank you!
On the subject of sale of used records, Discogs resellers that mention records restored by Kirmuss see higher process for the same title, etc..
Yes I’m sure. ✌🏼
Yes sellers that use these machines do advertise that. They definitely add value...
@Robert Hart if you are responding to whether the machines are ultrasonics or not, buyer beware. Do look at the other sites that have not detected cavitation or where electrical safety approvals have no listing
Vinyls indeed. 😂
What Stores in Ireland did the Dr visit?
Hopefully the Doc will reply here
In Dublin I went to Freebird and Spindizzy. Had good luck at both but the best was Freebird. In Belfast I went to Voodoo Soup and Go to Joe's. I brought home about 70 records total. They were all good stores...
Some good clean(ing) fun there, Mazzy. Bravo for approaching this highly volatile topic with the serious reverence it deserves. Mr. Fremer chafes at the notion of cleaning records as ritualistic endeavor, but I respectfully disagree. Before cleaning records I light candles and incense, which invariably helps prepare the grooves for the imminent cleansing event to follow. If record cleaning is in any way convenient, fast or mess-free, you’re not doing it right. Who is this Van Morrissey fellow?
All valid points...prior to the Morrissey line! :)
Heard they serve a mean knuckle sandwhich in Fist City. Packs quite a wallop, they say.
Do a comparison between the humminguru and the degritter
We don’t have one. If someone local in Seattle has one , then please reach out and bring a bottle of Gin.
Doesn't look like you put enough water in the Guru and if you use the 10min dry, you won't have any drops left. I use the AUTO 5min clean/10min dry with perfect results. Also I now have the HumminGuru surfactant drops and the water coats the enitre record. I've only cleaned about 100 records so far with no issues!
I fill it up to guru specs ✌🏼
Vinyls will go viral, that I'm sure sure Mazzy. Rekkids it is! ;)
Enjoyable video
Mazzy, you don’t buy used records?
I do. But I have many originals already. Cant stand smelly moldy records. But if I come across something I feel Ive missed, I’ll grab the cleanest copy I can find ✌🏼
Missed part of the video because I was busy folding my denims and cottons.
Any comments on the frequency debate? 40 kHz no good apparently..
There's no point in cleaning a record and then putting back in a filthy inner sleeve
Agree. We both always put them in a new poly sleeve after cleaning.
@@mazzysmusic I whipe my poly bag out with a distilled water and alcohol mix. Leave it wide open while the record is getting cleaned.
I clean them by hand using the process detailed in AQUEOUS CLEANING OF: VINYL RECORDS By: Neil Antin.
excellent choice! one of the very best methods out there!
Nice demo. I'll stick with my manual method....and save a fortune.
Me too, although I have been considering getting a couple of HGs. For manual cleaning I use goat hair brushes and Audio Intelligent products in combination with a Record Doctor and a Vinyl Styl.
I do operate on people and "pinch" is perfectly legitimate. Great video fellas.
I have the Kirmuss machine (Upscale Audio version). I think Michael Fremer is dead on about it. It is a time-consuming process and it works well to restore problem records that are not damaged. Cleaning 2-3 12" at a time (depending on model) it can save some time, but remember to do the full process every time. You can't really leave that contraption and its many parts and jugs of water (not recommended to be reused) out in your living room or kitchen really. Maybe if you have a lot of space.. Day to day I still use my VPI with a cleaning fluid based on 99% Ultra Pure water. I also rinse with distilled water. It works well and takes much less time. I'm not really worried about cleaner residue at the molecular level. I've had some records respond really well to the Kirmuss. Get the cleaning machine that works for your collection/lifestyle needs.
Thank you. Intelligent and well written comment. 🤠
I agree with Mazzy
Noted! Thanks.
Using cavitation, as properly defined, ...Any test on any record cleaning process should use the scientific method and remark on the end result in signal gain or loss as the needle should be making better contact with the pressed grooves. One would assume if the cleaning process was as advertised.
In any test of any ultrasonic cleaning process, one should ask the nanufactuter their specifications as well as to the intended or expected result.
Testing if not available to the journalist using test equipment should see available from the manufacturer the cavitational energy present in an advertised ultrasonic as measured in Cavins or watts per square centimeter and if it is even throughout the tank. Or the journalust or blogger should test for cavitation using aluminum foil test records to validate the presence of cavitation.
Fremer as well as others have commented where the word ultrasonic is misused. Case in point one of the machines just reviewed.
Ultrasonic misting or bubbling is not cavitation. Using the word ulttssonic expecting cavitation is misleading to the audio and record enthusiast.
Non cavitational machines do remove surface materials but in the same breath some have been noted to dry on the record what dropped off into the tank from prior cleanings as the filters provided see pores larger than the size of 3 to 5 microns of dirt and dust. Thus, these are suspended in the water. True cavitation should see records cone out if a process virtually dry.
Testing should be more involved.
MR FREMMER IS GOING TO GET MAD AT YOU AGAIN FOR DRINKING WHILE CLEANING RECORDS OR AFTER THE FACT LOL, GREAT VIDEO
Toyota?
I don't think that was their 1st drink of the day
I'm on my 4th or 5th Audio Desk too . :(
🤯🤯🤯🤯
His is a Mercedes and the other one is a Volkswagen is the proper comparison. Lol. Cute Video!
In this case the Mercedes keeps breaking down 🤷🏻♂️
@@mazzysmusic Just jerking your chain. Mazzy still rocks!!!
bane or Dr Occ is who he looks like
Wash ALL records you purchase new or old. Most new records I purchase after one wash through the HumminGuru, result in a reservoir full of murky gross water. New records have anti-mold chems and all kinds of other crap.
I get purchasing a vintage pressing that you know has been cleaned and you can tell. But I would never skimp on the new ones...
Jessica Chastain did not play Loretta Lynn. She played Tammy Wynette in "George and Tammy." I have an original Klaudio and it has worked great since 2016.
I can bring my kirmuss over too if you want. I am in seattle
A three-way might be fun, Maybe again this summer with the good Doctor
@Norman Maslov Would love it. Will bring test foil records as well as a cavitation energy meter to prove which machines are ultrasonics using cavitation and which are not. Similarly to what Fremer and others have done. No drinking please in that video.
You put just a little bit of that fluid you put in dishwashers to make the glasses shine more. Than you shouldn`t have waterdrops on the record.
Dishwashing fluid is bad for plasticizers in vinyl but it’s great for glasses and dishes.
@@trackingangle929 Thanks for the information. But you have to admitt, that it doesn`t leave waterdrops and the record dries much faster than whithout it.
The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, The answer is 7000/400 = 17 & spare change.
Yeah thanks for that math... :)
…. And vastly more money for more records!
I never understand why people harp on saying “vinyls.” I understand the explanation that vinyl is simply the material and “record” is the actual object, but by that logic, shouldn’t we not say “tapes” either?
It seems like so much, just for a record....
Humminguru is not in the same league as the Audio Desk. A better comparison would be the Audio Desk against the Degritter. It’s all in the transducers guys, I know this video is supposed to be fun but the Huminguru is just a toy.
True. Yet our final results were both pretty great 🤷🏻♂️
LOL...I love these comments
@@pbthal Patrick , go home and play with your toys
Hong Kong means China. Unlikely it is actually manufactured in HK. Just checked and the factory is in Zhuhai which is mainland.
Yes
P.S. Rinsing is the most important step to get those records clean
The solution to pollution is dilution.
Audio Desk always breaks down get a Degritter
12:45 Izz it safe? "It's very safe yes, it's so safe you wouldn't believe it." Izz It Safe? "No, it's not safe. Be very careful." Izz it safe?
You can get a proper 6.5L Ultrasonic Bath with an attachment for the records. You can do 1-5 records in one go. Plus it is cheaper, more simple design that would add on reliability. Buy once. Spinning speed 1-4 rpm and lower is better. These cleaners are mainly a ripoff because there is only one function to clean records. Ultrasonic cleaners all work the same and to be honest I do question how effective these are.
The proof is listening to them before and after. It can be substantial
Are you watching the Kraken game right now? 3rd period!
No 🤷🏻♂️
This is like Ali/Frazier for nerds.
I'm really careful with my Ultrasonic vinyl desk cleaner, so I have a cheaper project vinyl cleaner (like a vacuum cleaner), which I use 95 percent of all cleaning. What I did, went through my entire collection washed it with ultra sonic, then I basically just use project vinyl cleaner. Vinyl I buy second I use first, and then the Ultrasonic desk cleaner. So I want to save money on it. I have a dog, so there is hair all the time, I destroyed pin after pin, washed vinyl after vinyl. Never good. With audio desk a completely new experience.
I've been owning records for the last 40+ years (Im in my 50s), and like Mazzy I also worked in a records store for quite awhile back in the day. And to this day I still only use a Discwasher brush with it's fluid to clean my records. All this seems like overkill, unless you have a huge amount of cruddy records from somewhere. But yeesh, I just couldn't waste my time doing this. More power to you two.