What did you do to your stereo rig today?

OldCrow

Cat-proofed my grills.

bcwsrt

After a considerable amount of research, I ordered a Degritter from Music Direct yesterday morning. Arrived via UPS today about 12:30. Dang, I know I'm only a couple hours away from them, but that's some quick-asp service!

This Bob James Trio 180G "hi-res audiophile" double LP that I picked up brand new at AXPONA in April was really giving me some fits on side 3 with a LOT of static and pops, so it was the perfect one to try it out on, first. Holy S--- is about all I can say! The before and after difference from just one "medium" cycle was pretty remarkable. We'll see what happens on subsequent records ...

I was between this and the Kirmuss Audio ultrasonic unit which is a fraction of the price of the Degritter, but the one-touch, set it and forget it aspect of the Degritter won out versus the labor-intensive Kirmuss process. Also saw some comments on here from people I trust that gave me pause on the Kirmuss machine.

I have a decent LP collection from my younger days and would like to accumulate more new and used records as the urge strikes. Looking forward to getting the most out of my existing collection and hoping this will encourage some additional vinyl purchases!

treitz3

First off, congratulations! Yes, cleaning a record makes one hell of a difference, fo'sho'!

How loud is it when it is doing it's thang??

Tom

bcwsrt

I meant to comment on that ... it is very quiet, except for the drying cycle, which is still on the default 3 minutes. I have it behind my listening area and in a nook off the side and until the drying cycle kicks on, I can listen to a stream or my previously cleaned album without much distraction at all. Up until that drying cycle, it is quieter than the dehumidifier I have in about the same location on the other side of the room, which I habitually just turn off when I enter the room so it doesn't take away from my enjoyment in case it kicks on.

treitz3

I know nothing about this unit. I take it that it is an ultrasonic cleaner? From the photos, it sure does look like one...

Tom

bcwsrt

Yes, sir, it is. Four transducers, two on each side. Works at 120-125kHz, which is higher than others. Higher frequency is supposed to get deeper into the grooves and also be safer.

bcwsrt

Another great feature that separates the Degritter from its competition is the water temp monitoring where it adds a three minute cooling cycle when the water temp gets above 95F so the heat, which is a byproduct of the ultrasonic process, doesn’t hurt your records.

stangman67

Thant thing is gorgeous, color me record cleaner jealous! I have a VPI 16.5 and while it’s a fine unit, something fully automatic like that would be a great QOL upgrade

newbie308

Is any wiping or additional drying necessary after the cleaning process? Does it require proprietary cleaning fluid? How often do you need to exchange the cleaning fluid?

bcwsrt

The drying time and fan speed can be adjusted, if needed, but the record is/should be totally dry at the end of the cycle and ready to play.

Degritter has their own cleaning fluid that is shipped with the unit, but the manual states you can use your own cleaning fluid, though it cautions against "extreme pH" (too alkaline or too acidic) ones or ones that result in too much foaming on the record, which could affect the various sensors.

The tank is supposed to be changed every 1-2 weeks or after 30 cycles (I should be there after today lol) to prevent bacterial growth. Holds about 1/2 gallon of distilled water. Filter needs to be cleaned or replaced every 50 cycles.

pitdogg2

Out of curiosity, how is it on say.....brass?
Asking for a friend....

bcwsrt

For that, you would need one of those other generic ones (that people do still use for records)! I don't think you'd get more than a .22 LR through the slot on this one. Maybe you could use your washing machine?

pitdogg2

bcwsrt wrote: »

Maybe you could use your washing machine?

Do not tempt me

Geoff4rfc

Added some isolation to my CD player and speakers...





Hockey pucks.....not just for ice

treitz3

Any difference in sound, good or bad?

Tom

nooshinjohn

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

Added some isolation to my CD player and speakers...





Hockey pucks.....not just for ice

Nice… now all you need is a cd player.😂

Geoff4rfc

treitz3 wrote: »

Any difference in sound, good or bad?

Tom

Nothing initially. The speakers are still breaking in. I have noticed more detail and a bigger sound in the room since day one on the Focals.

Not much bass at first however after continuous play, the bass started to become a bit bloated. I raised the spikes up and it cleaned it up.

The pucks do bring the tweeters up closer to ear level with the spikes fully extended.

Right now I'm in my office, living room is on the other side of one of the side walls, and "please Mr Jailer" sang by Imelda May with Jeff Beck on guitar and I can fell the thump of the bass.....

Umm, I need to retract my first statement.....

I had a couple of friends over last night that helped me with placing the pucks under the speakers. We partied last night in the adjacent dining room to the set up. Music was great as usual all night, but...I just took some time to sit in front of the speakers for the first time after the pucks, listening to Little Wing (Hendrix) and White room (Cream/Clapton)....yeah, there's a difference.

The imaging is pretty spot on, the vocals appear to be coming from the center channel and the depth of the soundstage is deeper. When I closed my eyes, the sound seemed like it was coming from behind the display and several feet in front of it. The instruments blended across the room from side to side.........note, the sweet spot makes a huge difference.....but that's no front page news now, is it!?

pitdogg2

I've used hockey pucks under my center channel for years. Did I notice a difference not really.

nooshinjohn

motorstereo

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

Added some isolation to my CD player and speakers...

Nice… now all you need is a cd player.😂

True dat; I've been thinking about upgrading my Emo erc 3 as well. I was looking at Marantz players just yesterday. Then common sense prevailed as I remembered I haven't spun a silver disc since I started streaming this spring. An SA-K1 Ruby sure would look nice in the rack even if it's main purpose would be a dust collector

Geoff4rfc

motorstereo wrote: »

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

Added some isolation to my CD player and speakers...

Nice… now all you need is a cd player.😂

True dat; I've been thinking about upgrading my Emo erc 3 as well. I was looking at Marantz players just yesterday. Then common sense prevailed as I remembered I haven't spun a silver disc since I started streaming this spring. An SA-K1 Ruby sure would look nice in the rack even if it's main purpose would be a dust collector

The ERC3 does a very decent job, sure, it doesn't cost thousands of $$ but plays well with others none the less. I've also looked around, McIntosh, Marantz, to name a couple that caught my eye and I may upgrade one of these days, but, for now I'm enjoying what I have, besides, the ERC has some AudioQuest loving as well as to the mains, McKenzie's down the line.




All haters welcome to give a listen, I'll even throw in a cold beer to wash it down with

jbreezy5

Added a Sony UBP-X800M2 today. Wanted to serve as a 4k/SACD player. Also does the Dolby Vision and HDR stuff, not sure whether I’ll get into that, or not.

This is the most substantial affordable (under $300) 4k player I can think of with a very complete feature set. For a modern 4k player, this has nice heft and has a reinforced internal frame. Not the usual flimsy throwaway plasticky device for this kind of money. It even has rubber feet to damp vibrations! Sad that is something to get excited about, but that’s how crappy most modern players are.

This player will do 2ch/Surround SACD, and even DVD-A via HDMI. 😲

Spun some Police Hits and Italian Classical works SACDs and they sounded great. Very smooth, natural, and detailed w/excellent soundstaging/imaging.

Will do some video watching and report back. But so far I like what I’m hearing. Got on sale at BB for $229 on sale ($100 discount!).

bcwsrt

The Degritter ^^^ told me to clean its filter today (hit 50 cycles). This is with about five records going through twice to see if any further improvement could be had, otherwise all cycles were the first time the record had seen the Degritter.

The manual says you can clean and reuse the filters if they’re “not too dirty.” This one went in the trash. I don’t think I’ll attempt that at least until everything’s been through it at least once.

Nasty.

WagnerRC

pull out the old marantz to play with. Damn that is heavy.

mhardy6647

Due to a combination of circumstances, we're at the moment (and for a short time) "hosting" a pair of Canton model Plus S two-way "minispeakers" (in the 1970s/80s sense of the term). I happened to have a bit of time this morning to listen to them and I must say they sound very fine indeed.

pitdogg2

They made some good stuff Doc.

motorstereo

Agreed; those 2 way Snells are great sounding little speakers. I had a pair here for a while (also in white) years ago. They competed favorably with the ADS 300's and 400's I also had at the same time.

treitz3

They look very similar to the ol' Rat Shack ones from BITD. Metal housing?

Tom

Geoff4rfc

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Due to a combination of circumstances, we're at the moment (and for a short time) "hosting" a pair of Canton model Plus S two-way "minispeakers" (in the 1970s/80s sense of the term). I happened to have a bit of time this morning to listen to them and I must say they sound very fine indeed.

May I come over to your house, and listen, to stuff????

pitdogg2

You'll need a plane trip, a jeep and a Mule for the final mile....