KirmussAudio KA-RC-1 Record Cleaner

After 12 years of researching the record manufacturing and storage environments and processes, audiophile and business owner Charles Kirmuss developed the KA-RC-1 Ultrasonic Record Restoration System, an affordable and easy-to-use record cleaning and groove restoration system. Studying competing products—as well as the cause and effect of standing waves in ultrasonics, cavitation, plasma effect, and the effects of like charges between water and a record—Kirmuss instituted his own changes: for example, his safe top-of-tank record suspension system as well as adding a 70kHz PASSIVE resonance to a standard 35kHz sonic evenly distributing the effects of cavitation safely to the records, and a method to change a record’s charge to be opposite to that of water in the sonic’s tank, to attract to the record the benefit of ultrasonic cavitation. While DIY and Chinese ultrasonic systems skewered eight to 12 records only partially inserted in a bath, Kirmuss’ study found that as to not create standing waves, records needed to be properly spaced. These standing waves diminish the effectiveness of using ultrasonic cavitation, so the KA-RC-1 therefore allows only four records in a six-liter tank. (The Audiophile Society of NJ ZOOM presentation, found on our home page, reviews record manufacturing and cleaning processes in greater detail.) The Kirmuss process, proven by the easy and universally recognized Aluminum Foil Test, AND THE USE OF A CAVITATION TESTER sees records spaced properly so that the entire disc is cleaned and restored. Added where discovered in DIY and Chinese ultrasonic systems sold where skewered records upwards of 8 to 12 at a time in a 6 liter tank of water that are at times only partially inserted in a bath, discovered in his study where records need to be spaced properly so as not to see the effect of standing waves created. Not more than 4 records in a 6 liter tank. If more than 4 records are inserted, this standing wave diminishes the effectiveness of using ultrasonic cavitation, and only touching the edges of the record as a result.

Rather than a system that further damages records or one that’s near-identical to those for jewelers and dentists, Kirmuss relies on science and technology. The professionally manufactured KA-RC-1 is a patented design and process with proper spacing between records, ensuring proper removal of fungus, fingerprints, release agents from old pressing machines, and residues left from other cleaning processes. All the nasty dust embedded in release agents or micro-welded in the groove is lifted, revealing hidden groove details and eliminating unwanted pops.

Since both the water and record have the same slight negative charge, water with or without a cleaning solution added in an ultrasonic’s tank with a record spinning cannot see any sonic action in the record’s grooves. Like charges repel, which is why the Kirmuss process sees the record subjected to multiple cycles as the ionizing spray that is applied to the record only temporarily changes the charge of a record to a positive. As the record spins, the charge is reduced. By reapplying the ionizing spray prior to introduction into the sonic’s tank, the opposite charge returns, stripping out films left over by prior cleaning methods then the release agent itself (Shure in the 1970s called this a “pressing oil”).

Thus, a record is restored in four or five two- to five-minute cycles, and not just surfaced cleaned like with other processes. The Kirmuss process guarantees from your cartridge 1.3 to 4+ dB gain over floor, and ETL (US) and CE (EU) electrical and safety approvals indicate our commitment to product safety. By removing unwanted playback artifacts from records old and new, our affordable system increases your listening pleasure, letting the needle “ride” through the restored grooves and giving breath to the artist and music.

As is the case with all cleaning systems, our process cannot repair inadvertent damage caused to the record by inadequate manufacturing, poor handling, haphazard storage, and destructive cleaning agents. That said, our system helps the needle properly “sit” in the groove “pocket” due to the removal of residues and films such as release agents, films left over from prior cleaning processes and alcohol cleaners. You will also no longer hear in most cases the click every resolution caused by a “tone arm skid,” since the needle will ride lower in the groove and no longer hit this “skid mark.”