KL Audio Record Cleaning Machine vs Audio Desk Systeme

mep

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Apr 20, 2010
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according to ADS, my unit was the first one with ultrasonic transducer failure. I do find that hard to believe now. If your utrasonics are dead, it has to go back to Germany. Ultra Systems is not equipped to make that sort of repair. It's a two month process to get it back. Ultra Systems did offer me a loaner unit, which is a nice service. I declined it as I wouldn't use it any way when I have the KL hanging around. I plan to sell my ADS once it is back. The warranty will expire this coming August.

Unload it quick while it still has some warranty left! The new owner will probably need it.
 

Frank750

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Jul 8, 2011
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according to ADS, my unit was the first one with ultrasonic transducer failure. I do find that hard to believe now. If your utrasonics are dead, it has to go back to Germany. Ultra Systems is not equipped to make that sort of repair. It's a two month process to get it back. Ultra Systems did offer me a loaner unit, which is a nice service. I declined it as I wouldn't use it any way when I have the KL hanging around. I plan to sell my ADS once it is back. The warranty will expire this coming August.

I'm no expert when it comes to these machines, that's for sure. When the water fills in the tank for cleaning, there is no movement or bubbling any longer. The water just sits there until the brushes start and then there's movement in the water from the rollers. Wouldn't that mean a problem with the ultrasonics?
 

rockitman

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Sep 20, 2011
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I'm no expert when it comes to these machines, that's for sure. When the water fills in the tank for cleaning, there is no movement or bubbling any longer. The water just sits there until the brushes start and then there's movement in the water from the rollers. Wouldn't that mean a problem with the ultrasonics?

the easiest way to tell is to turn off the lights and look into the bottom of the tank right side. If you don't see led lights coming on during the cleaning cycle, cycling between red and purple, it probably is the ultrasonic transducers. Make sure you tell Ultra Systems... if in fact those lights don't go on. I first noticed only one color light coming on instead of two. a week later, no lights were coming on.
 

PeterA

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Dec 6, 2011
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the easiest way to tell is to turn off the lights and look into the bottom of the tank right side. If you don't see led lights coming on during the cleaning cycle, cycling between red and purple, it probably is the ultrasonic transducers. Make sure you tell Ultra Systems... if in fact those lights don't go on. I first noticed only one color light coming on instead of two. a week later, no lights were coming on.

Good grief! I sat on my hands and did not buy an Audio Desk early on and was content to put up with the time consumption and great results of my Loricraft. Glad I did, though I must say, that all of the positive comments about the KL Audio RCM are beginning to pique my interest.
 

Frank750

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Jul 8, 2011
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the easiest way to tell is to turn off the lights and look into the bottom of the tank right side. If you don't see led lights coming on during the cleaning cycle, cycling between red and purple, it probably is the ultrasonic transducers. Make sure you tell Ultra Systems... if in fact those lights don't go on. I first noticed only one color light coming on instead of two. a week later, no lights were coming on.
I checked it this morning, no LEDs of any color coming on.
 

astrotoy

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May 24, 2010
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I've cleaned about 4000 records on my ADS in about 2 1/2 years. So far no issues. Had to change the fluid and replace the replaceable white rollers. NB. Almost all of the records had been cleaned before with a VPI 16.5 and Disk Doctor fluids.

Larry
 

Bill Demars

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Apr 28, 2010
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Before sending your unit back, first take out the white rubber lips so you can sight the transducer, and cycle through a cleaning process with no record in the slot. Locate the small circular transducer straight down below. There should be a small vortex of bubbles at the top of the water line directly above the transducer during the cleaning portion. Robert at Ultra Systems said that just because you don't see the lights doesn't mean the ultrasonic is not working. If no bubbles then your transducer has failed. He said that he has seen only one other failure before Chris' went back.
 

Frank750

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Jul 8, 2011
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Before sending your unit back, first take out the white rubber lips so you can sight the transducer, and cycle through a cleaning process with no record in the slot. Locate the small circular transducer straight down below. There should be a small vortex of bubbles at the top of the water line directly above the transducer during the cleaning portion. Robert at Ultra Systems said that just because you don't see the lights doesn't mean the ultrasonic is not working. If no bubbles then your transducer has failed. He said that he has seen only one other failure before Chris' went back.

Thanks Bill. First thing I noticed was no bubbles then it was mentioned in this thread to look for the LEDs. Pretty sure it's not working correctly.
 

microstrip

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May 30, 2010
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My Audio Desk Systemme Record Cleaning Machine produces a lot of bubbling and I do not see any light. It has been working perfectly for a few months.
My only "problem" - a few drops of water systematically in the label and vinyl surface at the end of the cleaning was my fault - I put the power cable under one of the feet and the machine was not leveled - the air bubble was well outside the circle. As soon as I leveled the machine, no more water drops and perfectly clean LPs.
 

Bill Demars

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Thanks Bill. First thing I noticed was no bubbles then it was mentioned in this thread to look for the LEDs. Pretty sure it's not working correctly.
It's a very small area of circular bubbles about the size of a dime-directly over the transducer, at the water line. You must slide out the white wipers to see this. I would do it in a well lit area or a dark room with a flashlight over this area.
 

junk981

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Sep 6, 2013
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I think all the negative comments about the ADS reliability on the net is true. I sent my ADS for repair six months ago ..... the problem is the roller and LED..... I'm still waiting.
 

Frank750

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I think all the negative comments about the ADS reliability on the net is true. I sent my ADS for repair six months ago ..... the problem is the roller and LED..... I'm still waiting.

Well, your's is probably sitting behind mine in line for repair then. I've been waiting for mine since last August.

I've written it off. You'd have to be an idiot to buy an Audio Desk at this point. I think the guy has proven he has no clue when it comes to customer service.
 

PeterA

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Well, your's is probably sitting behind mine in line for repair then. I've been waiting for mine since last August.

I've written it off. You'd have to be an idiot to buy an Audio Desk at this point. I think the guy has proven he has no clue when it comes to customer service.

Or it would seem, improving a defective and unreliable design design. There are just too many stories of machines being returned for poor service.
 

audioblazer

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May 13, 2010
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Well, your's is probably sitting behind mine in line for repair then. I've been waiting for mine since last August.

I've written it off. You'd have to be an idiot to buy an Audio Desk at this point. I think the guy has proven he has no clue when it comes to customer service.

Totally agreed . Repeated emails for 2/3 months . Refused to answer email including from dealer . Just to test him , I asked for order of 10 units of Audio Desk . Replied within a few hours . Subsequently I bombarded him with many emails. He asked what was my problem & I responded & attached my 1st email written in February 2015 & thereafter he became a ghost again. Totally disappear .
Not that he don't understand customer service , he has no intention to service your used machine & make no money out of it
 

Frank750

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Hopefully threads like these will put him out of business! Certainly the word is spreading.
 

DaveyF

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Jul 31, 2010
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Totally agreed . Repeated emails for 2/3 months . Refused to answer email including from dealer . Just to test him , I asked for order of 10 units of Audio Desk . Replied within a few hours . Subsequently I bombarded him with many emails. He asked what was my problem & I responded & attached my 1st email written in February 2015 & thereafter he became a ghost again. Totally disappear .
Not that he don't understand customer service , he has no intention to service your used machine & make no money out of it

Unfortunately, this kind of experience is only too familiar in our hobby. IMO, the reason is due to the basics of the hobby itself. We, as a'philes, do NOT constitute a very big consumer group...relatively speaking. As such, the norm for many manufacturers in our hobby is the guy who is working out of his garage as a hobby...second to his retirement or real day job. Because of this situation, many times IF a product has failure issues, the guy/manufacturer cannot support it and continue to make a profit! So, what does he do...puts his head in the sand and hopes the problem will go away.
One of the reasons that I like to know a little history of the company ( any company) before I spend my hard earned dollar on a brand new latest and greatest! BTW, I think S'phile has a policy that before they review a product...it has to have a certain minimum number of dealers...a good thing, again IMHO. This could lead to minimizing the problem with the garage bay start-up.
Remember the old saying...."be careful out there".:)
 

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