HumminGuru HG01 Review from Diapason d’Or Hi-Fi

Toy for audiophiles?

Rather, it is a valuable accessory for careful record collectors.

Born in 2020 from a crowdfunding campaign, this ultrasonic record cleaner positions itself at a competitive price point compared to heavyweights in the industry. Barely wider than a 33RPM record, it is simple and quiet to use. The principle: a distilled water + cleaning agent solution (Small Bottle) is poured into the tank before each wash, and the liquid is automatically reinjected into the tank before drying. The vinyl record rotates for cleaning; two ultrasonic transducers placed on either side agitate the solution at a frequency of 40kHz, effectively removing fine particles from the groove. Drying is then carried out by a blower. Six modes - wash only, dry only, wash+dry, in long or short programs - are easily accessible and operate intuitively.

Listening

Ultrasonic cleaning is valued in sectors where hygiene and precision are essential (jewelry, medical fields). Applying it to records requires careful management of the wet phase and drying. The key focus: ensuring proper liquid volume and tank filling. We conducted tests with records wiped with a velvet brush, thus dusty. Following a long program (15-minute wash + dry), the results are noticeably audible: reduced surface noise, improved resolution, decreased background noise. For more severe cases, a second pass is recommended. It is also important not to overlook regular cleaning of the stylus. For this purpose, HumminGuru offers a solution, the S-DUO, also based on ultrasound technology. As it stands, this HG01 already appears destined to become a best-seller.

--Written by Vincent Cousin from Diapason d’Or Hi-Fi 

(Translated to English)