Klaudio LP200 - Ultrasonic Transducers Don't Turn On

[RoadDawgWest]

After a day of getting records off the floor and back onto the record rack, I compiled a stack to be cleaned on the Klaudio LP200 this evening. Turned on the machine, and placed the first record into the Klaudio. The water pumped up into the reservoir, but the ultrasonic transducers did not turn on. The Klaudio completed the wash and drying cycle, but you could clearly hear the ultrasonic transducers did not turn on.

Power cycled the machine, and tried again with the same result.

Has anyone had this happen to their machine, or heard of this happening to someone else's machine?

[MylesBAstor]

Any chance the ultrasonic cleaning knob got accidentally shut off?

[RoadDawgWest]

Thanks Myles
Anything is possible, but I've set it for 5-min wash, and 5-min dry before putting the silencer cover on many washes ago
I will check again, and maybe turn the switch a few times in case the contacts corroded over time.

[rockitman]

This is the first failure I have heard of with this machine...I bought mine in January 2013. I have put on it 1670 clean cycles so far without issue.

[RoadDawgWest]

I've had 3 failures up to this point ranging from not turning on, and not completing a wash & dry cycle. All different machines. This is a first for the ultrasonic transducers not turning on. Klaudio have been fantastic in resolving all the previous issues.

[Metamatic]

A friend of mine has had similar failures with his KL machine.

No issues with mine.

[rockitman]

I've had 3 failures up to this point ranging from not turning on, and not completing a wash & dry cycle. All different machines. This is a first for the ultrasonic transducers not turning on. Klaudio have been fantastic in resolving all the previous issues.

very strange...that reliability track record I experienced with the audiodeske system. Good to know about the service. Is service done in the US ?

[RoadDawgWest]

very strange...that reliability track record I experienced with the audiodeske system. Good to know about the service. Is service done in the US ?

I return the LP200's back to the US office. Cannot confirm where the service was perform, but the turnaround was quick.

[Johnny Vinyl]

It seems to me that both KLA and AD need to work on putting out a better, more reliable product. It's astonishing to me the number of owners that have and have had issues with these "Holy Grail" cleaning machines.

[MylesBAstor]

It seems to me that both KLA and AD need to work on putting out a better, more reliable product. It's astonishing to me the number of owners that have and have had issues with these "Holy Grail" cleaning machines.

You think this is an issue? The very first generation of machines RUINED records. At least the machines are warrantied.

To be honest, I've heard of issues with pretty much all of the record cleaning machines be they of the vacuum or US type, VPI or KM like. Let's be honest. There is no such thing as 100% reliability. That's why Best Buy makes a fortune on extended warranties. Yes it's unfortunate but it's more important that the company back their product. And I've heard of very few issue with the KL machines. I've had two and both worked flawlessly. So have other friends.

[Johnny Vinyl]

You think this is an issue? The very first generation of machines RUINED records. At least the machines are warrantied.

To be honest, I've heard of issues with pretty much all of the record cleaning machines be they of the vacuum or US type, VPI or KM like. Let's be honest. There is no such thing as 100% reliability. That's why Best Buy makes a fortune on extended warranties. Yes it's unfortunate but it's more important that the company back their product. And I've heard of very few issue with the KL machines. I've had two and both worked flawlessly. So have other friends.

That may be true and it's well and good, and I also don't insist on 100% reliability, but at their MSRP I expect much better. The fact they have a warranty (like all others do) is not the point.

[Metamatic]

You think this is an issue? The very first generation of machines RUINED records. At least the machines are warrantied.

To be honest, I've heard of issues with pretty much all of the record cleaning machines be they of the vacuum or US type, VPI or KM like. Let's be honest. There is no such thing as 100% reliability. That's why Best Buy makes a fortune on extended warranties. Yes it's unfortunate but it's more important that the company back their product. And I've heard of very few issue with the KL machines. I've had two and both worked flawlessly. So have other friends.

Myles, The first generation of what machines RUINED records?

[fcrowder]

I can remember owning a very early Audio Research SP-10 that spent more time in transit to and from the factory and on the repair bench than it spent in my system; however, when it worked it could really sign. I think that you put up with the inconveniences of high end products to get the sound they offer.

[MylesBAstor]

I just remember the SP10 eating tubes and tubes going microphonic like they were going out of style.

[MylesBAstor]

Myles, The first generation of what machines RUINED records?

Any of that first generation of RCMs that used originally teflon instead of the now commonly used felt to cover the vacuum nozzle. To wit, Nitty Gritty, VPI, etc. Dirt ended up being trapped between the teflon lip and album and as a result, the record ended up getting gouged. When you went back and played the LP, you could hear the groove damage. Really bad. Like you had played the record with a couple of silver dollars on top of the headshell. I lost some very nice collectable albums that way. Of course, Nitty Gritty denied there was a problem for the longest time. You know the line. You're the only person having this problem. If I only had a dollar for everytime I've heard that excuse. That's why now I only use junk records to start with any machine.

[RoadDawgWest]

Status update: The KLaudio LP200 is back and operational.
Once again KLaudio provided exceptional support.
This time I did not have top ship my LP200 back, but instead Klaudio asked me a couple of questions and asked me to open the LP200 and take some photos.
After emailing the photos they determined the Driver Board was an issue, and not the Ultrasonic Transducers.
Received the replacement driver board "Newer version v3.4" today, and swapped it out. Buttoned everything back up, and working like before it failed.
I snapped a few photos in case someone would like to see the inside, and will provide the steps to replace the driver board.
Post later.