HUMMINGURU NOVA ULTRASONIC VINYL CLEANER VS DISCO ANTISTAT, DISCO ULTRASONIC, LORICRAFT & DEGRITTER

Product reviewed

HummingGuru Nova Advanced Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner (HG05)

Key features mentioned

• Price / positioning: ~£550 plus shipping in the UK.
• Design & build: Thin ABS + stainless steel chassis; relatively light/compact; easier to handle than bulkier ultrasonic cleaners.
• Adapters / fit: Integrated 7-inch and 10-inch adapters.
• Ultrasonic system: Two ultrasonic transducers, inward-facing, operating at 40 kHz.
  • Comparison/implication: Differs from higher-end units like Degritter (mentioned 120 kHz and more specialized tech).
• Record support mechanism: Disc sits in a top slot; two edge wheels (one drive, one passive) adjust to disc size during cleaning.
• Cycles & controls:
  • Bottom-right controls for start/stop and two automatic modes (pre-programmed wash + drain + drying).
  • Separate drain function and ability to restart drying independently.
  • Drying duration switch: 3 or 6 minutes.
  • Additional 10-minute cleaning option mentioned for very dirty discs.
• Drying / lid / air-dry option:
  • Included lid (also acts as a display stand for records).
  • Option to air dry / protect the unit.
• Filtration & maintenance:
  • Two-level filtration system:
    • Traps larger particles in water
    • Captures smaller dust in the air
  • Washable/replaceable microfoam air filter behind a hinged door.
• Water tank & levels: Removable ~400 ml tank with variable water levels (including a level for 7-inch singles).
• Overheating protection / continuous use limits:
  • Thermal sensor triggers a cooling sequence lasting 6 minutes if overheated.
  • Not recommended to clean continuously for over 30 minutes; suggested 15-minute break.
• No automatic shut-off: Needs manual turning off (unlike some competitors).

User experience (hands-on impressions)

Noise

• Washing produces a hissing / high-pitched squeaky sound (not described as too bothersome).
• Drying is relatively quiet, quieter than Degritter (specifically mentioned).

Drying performance (important drawback)

• 3-minute drying is not effective: record edges still wet after completion (tested with 12-inch and 7-inch).
• 6-minute drying improves results, but none were perfectly dry.
• Reviewer wished drying were user-adjustable beyond the fixed options.
• Recommendation: keep 6 minutes as default, and if needed, repeat additional 3-minute periods.

Workflow / filling method (tedious/messy for some)

• Each wash requires removing the reservoir and manual refilling the slot via a small nozzle + included funnel.
• Filling can be messy; reviewer suggests going slowly and keeping towels/paper nearby.
• Noted constant dripping and that the top of the unit may remain damp after refills.

Cleaning effectiveness

• Overall described as doing an excellent job cleaning vinyl.

Included cleaning fluid (and the reviewer’s testing stance)

• The machine uses distilled water plus a supplied additive (“small bottle”):
  • Alcohol-free, not enzymes
  • Contains surfactants to reduce surface tension + a small amount of antistatic agent
• Reviewer’s criticism:
  • They prefer surfactants applied directly to the vinyl, not added to bath water.
  • They tested and found the supplied solution underperformed compared to their own method.
• Outcome for testing:
  • For subsequent hardware comparisons, the reviewer used their own prep system instead of the HummingGuru bath additive (still with a final rinse before testing).

Sound/cleaning comparisons (performance takeaways)

Nova vs Knosti Disco Antistat (manual)

• Test setup included air drying (no built-in drying cycle on the Antistat).
• Result: HummingGuru Nova far superior.
  • Opened soundstage significantly; less “claustrophobic.”
  • More detail in mids; more physicality in highs; bass better integrated.

Nova vs Loricraft PRC PR3SE (vacuum-based)

• Result: Nova “superior” in both obvious and subtle aspects (based on the reviewer’s listening):
  • Guitars sounded more “metallic”
  • Deep drum sound
  • Cymbals/tambourine rich across the bottom of the mix
• Despite calling Loricraft the “best vacuum-based cleaner” in general, the reviewer felt the Nova outperformed in this comparison.

Nova vs Knosti ultrasonic cleaner (Nostii) (ultrasonic, more expensive)

• Cost framing: Nosti is about twice as much.
• Result:
  • Nosti wins sonically (focus/precision/structure; better soundstage setup awareness).
  • Nova wins on features/convenience, including:
    • Integrated drying cycle (Nosti doesn’t offer it)
    • lid included
    • easier draining, easier filter cleaning
    • no need for a label protector (as stated)
• Tradeoff summary: Nosti better sound precision; Nova more features.

Nova vs Degritter (MK1 used for test; MK2 owned)

• Price comparison: Degritter about £25,000, roughly 5× the Nova price.
• Result: Degritter is superior, especially in:
  • mid-to-high spread
  • bass structure/character
  • more treble detail and richer/complex soundstage
• However: reviewer concludes Nova is a solid foundation that delivers much of the fundamental cleaning benefit for far less money.

Pros mentioned

• Strong value at ~£550; described as a “real bargain.”
• Many convenience features for the price:
  • integrated drying/drain cycle
  • included lid (also display stand)
  • filtration system easy to maintain
  • integrated 7”/10” adapters
  • extra 10-minute cleaning option
• Relatively quiet drying.
• Good cleaning performance (excellent record cleaning results).
• Easy-to-clean machine noted (reviewer “forgot to mention” this, but included as a pro).
• Thermal protection and cooling sequence exist.

Cons mentioned

• Drying limitations: 3-minute insufficient; 6-minute still leaves some records not perfectly dry.
• Drying cycle is not user-adjustable.
• Messy workflow due to reservoir refill + funnel dripping.
• No automatic shut-off (manual turn-off required).
• Design shows cost-cutting details, including the above limitations.
• Mentioned a “constant task” of emptying/dripping/funnel-related mess before each cleaning.

Ratings / numerical scores

• Overall rating: 8 out of 10 (reviewer calls it “award-winning” / “groovy”).

Overall verdict / recommendation

Recommended for most buyers who want strong cleaning performance and lots of convenience features at a much lower price than premium ultrasonic/vacuum systems.

The main compromises are drying effectiveness and convenience (fixed drying cycle, some wet edges, somewhat messy refill process). Still, for the price, the reviewer considers it hard to beat.

Unique points by speaker(s)

• Single main speaker (The Audiophile Man): All described specs, testing outcomes, noise impressions, workflow concerns, comparisons, and final 8/10 recommendation.
• Subtle mention of company input during the review: they disagreed with the reviewer’s cost explanation regarding transducer frequency, but this did not introduce additional separate perspectives beyond that.