HumminGuru Ultrasonic Cleaner Owners & Discussion Thread

[sir sanders zingmore]

13 minutes ago, Jakeyb77_Redux said:

https://humminguru.com/products/humminguru-ultrasonic-vinyl-record-cleaner-1?variant=41372904063131

Thanks. We are type 4 (I) plug yes?

[Jakeyb77_Redux]

1 minute ago, sir sanders zingmore said:

Thanks. We are type 4 (I) plug yes?

Yep type 4 

[Sean Perth]

47 minutes ago, Jakeyb77_Redux said:

The shipping price was adjusted. 
Unit cost was $520 shipping now $140. 
Melbourne. 
 

The extra shipping was refunded this morning too 

Just ordered one with reduced shipping

Thanks for the update  

[benny]

I currently use one of the DIY Ultrasonic jobbies + a record dr for drying.

 

I've only ever used RODI + Triton x-100, as water on its own doesnt penetrate into the grooves...

 

i'm aware that the use of anything other than water voids the HG warranty...

 

Are the results adequate without a surfactant?  It just seems (to me) that ultrasonic cleaning without a surfactant wont yield the best results the machine is capable of?

 

 

[denimhunter]

45 minutes ago, benny said:

I currently use one of the DIY Ultrasonic jobbies + a record dr for drying.

 

I've only ever used RODI + Triton x-100, as water on its own doesnt penetrate into the grooves...

 

i'm aware that the use of anything other than water voids the HG warranty...

 

Are the results adequate without a surfactant?  It just seems (to me) that ultrasonic cleaning without a surfactant wont yield the best results the machine is capable of?

 

 

Can always treat ur records like going to Onsen-Japanese bath!  U would clean yourself with soap-in this case cleaning agents first, just by hand then go into ultrasonic.

One problem with this rcm, doesn’t clean 78rpm!!  Too heavy and will not rotate.

[benny]

35 minutes ago, denimhunter said:

Can always treat ur records like going to Onsen-Japanese bath!  U would clean yourself with soap-in this case cleaning agents first, just by hand then go into ultrasonic.

One problem with this rcm, doesn’t clean 78rpm!!  Too heavy and will not rotate.

the beauty of ultrasonic cleaning IMO is the minimising of physical scrubbing etc of a record.

 

So to have to use chemicals + brushes prior to using the RODI seems counter-intutive.

 

Im hoping Humminguru softens their stance on this....

[denimhunter]

Interestingly the kissmus guys recommend chemical precleaning before ultrasonic

[awayward]

1 hour ago, benny said:

I currently use one of the DIY Ultrasonic jobbies + a record dr for drying.

 

I've only ever used RODI + Triton x-100, as water on its own doesnt penetrate into the grooves...

 

i'm aware that the use of anything other than water voids the HG warranty...

 

Are the results adequate without a surfactant?  It just seems (to me) that ultrasonic cleaning without a surfactant wont yield the best results the machine is capable of?

 

 

Like you I have a DIY and use Triton x-100, it will be interesting when I purchase a dirty used record and a clean using the HumminGuru, and if it’s still noisy then put it through the DIY, will it be cleaner?

 

[benny]

28 minutes ago, awayward said:

Like you I have a DIY and use Triton x-100, it will be interesting when I purchase a dirty used record and a clean using the HumminGuru, and if it’s still noisy then put it through the DIY, will it be cleaner?

 

 

 

well ........... Go get one quick smart and let us know how you get on.

 

Ps i note the ear muffs - good call! Those baths are so damn loud!

[jeromelang]

i have been saying for years now.

different water, different sound.

 

distilled water makes record sounds dead.

tap water can help revitalize the sound again

(assuming that the record is dried immediately without physical contact - that means no vacuuming or wiping dry with fabrics materials)

 

and it is not only vinyl records.

distilled water and tap water have the same sonic effects on optical discs.

rinsing under distilled water or under tap water (and how they are dried subsequently) will imbue the optical disc CDs and SACDs with the same sonic properties that can be experienced with vinyl records.

 

tap water sounds best.

 

[Jakeyb77_Redux]

4 hours ago, jeromelang said:

i have been saying for years now.

different water, different sound.

 

distilled water makes record sounds dead.

tap water can help revitalize the sound again

(assuming that the record is dried immediately without physical contact - that means no vacuuming or wiping dry with fabrics materials)

 

and it is not only vinyl records.

distilled water and tap water have the same sonic effects on optical discs.

rinsing under distilled water or under tap water (and how they are dried subsequently) will imbue the optical disc CDs and SACDs with the same sonic properties that can be experienced with vinyl records.

 

tap water sounds best.

 

 

I don’t know what you’ve been drinking, but it ain’t water; Distilled or tap.

Edited November 19, 2021 by Jakeyb77_Redux

[Wimbo]

20 minutes ago, jeromelang said:

i have been saying for years now.

different water, different sound.

 

distilled water makes record sounds dead.

tap water can help revitalize the sound again

(assuming that the record is dried immediately without physical contact - that means no vacuuming or wiping dry with fabrics materials)

 

and it is not only vinyl records.

distilled water and tap water have the same sonic effects on optical discs.

rinsing under distilled water or under tap water (and how they are dried subsequently) will imbue the optical disc CDs and SACDs with the same sonic properties that can be experienced with vinyl records.

 

tap water sounds best.

 

I agree. Distilled water takes the life out of the music. I prefer tap water or no water at all.

[Cardiiiii]

Anyone know what the turn around time is?

[adhoc]

Have done some cleaning last night. Some first impressions:

 

Design

- Fit and finish is nice enough, but not premium; -feels reasonably nicely put together - but think higher end Westinghouse, not Miele 

- Design though is nice enough to stand on the shelf in plain view - size is convenient and Ikea Kallax-friendly 

- Hands free function is great - you set it, walk away, and return in 5-10 min

- When US cleaner is running, while volume is not the loudest, has a piercing/uncomfortable  quality - think dentist drill; maybe if you're old and hearing >11kHz is rolled off this may not be an issue   

- Intuitive function - like most blokes I had a crack at it prior to reading the manual, and didn't break anything 

 

Function

- Adequate for cleaning a thrift shop popular music find without any other prep 

- Not good enough for cleaning thrift store classical music record if you need absolute silence in the pianissimo passages - will remove the worst pops but soft ticks/crackling may still be present 

- Distilled water by itself will not remove oil marks. but will remove visible mould spots, dust, and most fingerprints - I think the lack of a more aggressive solvent is really limiting function, not sure if a surfactant would help

- My usual cleaning routine with a vacuum RCM is AIVS 15 + Osage brush -> tergitol+isoprop10/distilledwater90 --> distilled water - the Humminguru managed to be an incremental improvement on some tricky vintage records cleaned with this regimen - some crackling went away and some ticks are nearly inaudible now

 

So overall, worth it IMO - 7.5/10. If you buy only new vinyl it's a great option. Helpful for "finishing up" a pre-existing vacuum RCM cleaning regimen. 

 

Caveat - my standards are very high; 99% of my vinyl collection is as quiet as digital. 

[silencer13]

Always wanted to try an Ultrasonic, and at this price it's a no-brainer.

Just put in my order, hope it arrives soon. Noticed they use FedEx, so keeping my fingers crossed it's not affected by the strike.

[John0001]

Cleaned a bunch of records with it and so far so good. It's easy to use, no messing around and the drying is a definite bonus. I've set it to the longer [II] drying time then just hit Auto Long and that's it, couldn't be simpler. I think for really filthy, oily records I'd use my Disco unit first to get them most of the way there. But for new or mildly dirty records the HuminGuru will be all that's needed. Will be interesting to see if anyone experiments with warranty voiding surfactants at some point.

 

At the price its a no-brainer IMHO and a great solution for someone wanting an ultrasonic without the hassle of DIY or the cost of the more serious solutions.

[Jakeyb77_Redux]

I think I’ll try the Fotoflo and a little Iso with mine. Can’t see myself squabbling over $500 for warranty issues. 

[silencer13]

2 hours ago, Jakeyb77_Redux said:

I think I’ll try the Fotoflo and a little Iso with mine. Can’t see myself squabbling over $500 for warranty issues. 

Precisely what i was thinking. Even if you did want to claim warranty, shipping is going to be crazy.

[John0001]

3 hours ago, Jakeyb77_Redux said:

I think I’ll try the Fotoflo and a little Iso with mine. Can’t see myself squabbling over $500 for warranty issues. 

 

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on that, I'd assume a small amount wouldn't have any effect on the unit?

[denimhunter]

33 minutes ago, John0001 said:

 

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on that, I'd assume a small amount wouldn't have any effect on the unit?

Like I commented before, I would treat the ultrasonic like one would go to Onsen-Japanese bath.  I.e always clean yourself off with detergent before going into onsen!

For a very dirty record I would use solvents or detergents  first then quick rinse outside of the rcm before cleaning in ultrasonic with distilled water only.

Kissmus rcm recommend the same method.

[Jakeyb77_Redux]

37 minutes ago, John0001 said:

 

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on that, I'd assume a small amount wouldn't have any effect on the unit?

I can’t see the surfactant doing any harm. The ISO maybe, depending on the plastics etc. but I’d assume it would take some time. 
I’d like to receive the unit first and run with distilled water and see. 
I’ve got a brand new Pro-Jet Vc-S2 here as well so I’m not ruling out using that first then a wash in the Humminguru. 
 

Does anyone know if the manual states how long the filters etc. should last? Be nice to be able to purchase them. I’m assuming these parts might be effected by ISO the most 

[denimhunter]

If I am not mistaken, the water filter is aqua filter  like one would use a fish tank. 
I will try to get some from aquarium and let ppl know if that’s the same

 

 

 

 

 

[awayward]

The water pump may be affected by using additives long term.

[denimhunter]

1 hour ago, awayward said:

The water pump may be affected by using additives long term.

There is no water pump unlike other ultrasonic such as KL Audio.  

[awayward]

1 hour ago, denimhunter said:

There is no water pump unlike other ultrasonic such as KL Audio.  

Certainly sounds like a water pump when the water is drained from the top tank to the container at the bottom, it is mechanical and very noisy, what is it?