I don't have an issue with the sound and like the pin media..... just loading and unloading the Thumbler is a pain. It is designed to tumble rocks and to go around with that media for days. With cases I can do several loads a day and it's hard on the thumbs with the wing nuts. I purchased some cast wing nuts from Home Depot to replace the original stamped nuts but still tough on the thumbs and fingers.I just emptied out my media and used plastic bottles with the liquid mix. Turned it on for 1.5 hours and probable needed too do 2.5 for better cleaning. I also did nickel in a separate bottle! I is more noisy that dry media, so turn it on and come back later! Another idea is too put headphones on and turn up the music!!!!!