AudioNervosa
Systemic Development => Analog Devices => Topic started by: James Edward on February 10, 2020, 06:47:56 PM
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What's everyone in the know using to clean their stylus these days? Brush, liquid, gel? I just ordered a table and now the paranoia is setting in about cleaning things...
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Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Cut a small square and simply lower the stylus on to it a time or two. Doesn't require passing the cartridge over it.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQh2Zvr7XLVICzmNwcEfVKvYnI75g411Dsgnr0yEXUiMo71PGmX)
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I use a magic eraser but also have another thing similar to zerodust. The magic eraser does something other stuff won't so periodically using it or a sonic cleaner would be advisable.
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+1 on the Magic Eraser. We don't need no stinkin exorbitantly priced rip off snake oil cleaners 'round here! :thumb:
Seriously, it works amazing. Use it all the time and stylus is always sparkling clean. It's white so you can easily see the lil blobs of black debris it pulls off. If your hands are steady enough just dab up and down a few times as arm is raised on lifter. Don't lock arm into resting place, just in case you slip. That's my technique, it's quicker and easier than laying it down and dropping stylus on it. Also, if you really trust yourself, you can very very gently shimmy it around a few times on the horizontal plane to get it super clean.
I also sometimes dab stylus a few times with a blob of Blu-tak stuck on the end of a tongue depressor -- or similar. Also works great.
Both these methods are recommended by respected members of the vinyl community: Mark Baker at Origin Live, Peter Lederman at Soundsmith, among others.
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+1 on the Magic Eraser. We don't need no stinkin exorbitantly priced rip off snake oil cleaners 'round here! :thumb:
Seriously, it works amazing. Use it all the time and stylus is always sparkling clean. It's white so you can easily see the lil blobs of black debris it pulls off. If your hands are steady enough just dab up and down a few times as arm is raised on lifter. Don't lock arm into resting place, just in case you slip. That's my technique, it's quicker and easier than laying it down and dropping stylus on it. Also, if you really trust yourself, you can very very gently shimmy it around a few times on the horizontal plane to get it super clean.
I also sometimes dab stylus a few times with a blob of Blu-tak stuck on the end of a tongue depressor -- or similar. Also works great.
Both these methods are recommended by respected members of the vinyl community: Mark Baker at Origin Live, Peter Lederman at Soundsmith, among others.
Thanks for the info. I had heard of Origin Live, but not Mark Baker. Mr Baker has an interesting profile and the site is very detailed and informative.
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Its magic that eraser. Highly recommended.
charles
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So I just lower the stylus into/onto the eraser, then lift it up? No back to front scrape?
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So I just lower the stylus into/onto the eraser, then lift it up? No back to front scrape?
Yep. Repeat a time or two. Back and forth can lead to very, very bad things... especially with a MC.
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So I just lower the stylus into/onto the eraser, then lift it up? No back to front scrape?
Yep. Repeat a time or two. Back and forth can lead to very, very bad things... especially with a MC.
Yeah, I guess it's possible to rip the stylus or cantilever off. :shock:
I dab it manually with an up and down movement, find it gets it cleaner -- probably because no matter how steady the hand, there is a small amount of lateral / horizontal plane movement to kindof scrub the stylus sides.
Anyways, I find it easy to keep a steady hand by simply resting the outside of it on the plinth (or on your other hand if there is no plinth), and dabbing the ME (or BT) up and down.
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Watts dust bug! Man, I used one of those in the 70s!!
No idea where it is. Probably lost in college somewhere.....
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Couldn’t find it on the web. How does it work?
Nick
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the keith monks record sweeper works by tracking the record with a fine bristle brush opposite the tonearm, keeping it dust-free whilst playing. also, it's got fine carbon fiber in the brush, and w/the ground wire, it keeps static away. it's nla new; you can find 'em used, albeit a bit pricey. newer less expensive iterations are available:
https://www.myneedlestore.com/produit/professional-anti-static-record-cleaning-arm/?gclid=CjwKCAiAhJTyBRAvEiwAln2qB1YeVf0B3fXF_FifOdHB7H9FDKN1bw3S9WgmS2Z5DIGvuUrMEvRJohoCmlYQAvD_BwE (https://www.myneedlestore.com/produit/professional-anti-static-record-cleaning-arm/?gclid=CjwKCAiAhJTyBRAvEiwAln2qB1YeVf0B3fXF_FifOdHB7H9FDKN1bw3S9WgmS2Z5DIGvuUrMEvRJohoCmlYQAvD_BwE)
(https://www.myneedlestore.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/TAC-01.jpg)
doug s.
Couldn’t find it on the web. How does it work?
Nick
Thanks, Doug. The look of this product reminded me of the Lenco wet playing device that I used a very long time ago.
Nick
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here's an original keith monks iteration:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202880330217 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/202880330217)
it's one of two things i need on my decks; the other is one of these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Automatic-Tonearm-Lifter-Arm-Lift-Set-For-LP-Turntable-not-Audio-technica-/264590502345?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Automatic-Tonearm-Lifter-Arm-Lift-Set-For-LP-Turntable-not-Audio-technica-/264590502345?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10)
or
https://www.turntablelab.com/products/qup-automatic-tonearm-lifter?variant=249440394¤cy=USD&utm_campaign=gs-2019-04-04&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=CjwKCAiAhJTyBRAvEiwAln2qB02a5RKkbjZJD5nvXpjFqr_-WMBx905NEQjPjSV5C5LysInhWeyW5hoC6oAQAvD_BwE (https://www.turntablelab.com/products/qup-automatic-tonearm-lifter?variant=249440394¤cy=USD&utm_campaign=gs-2019-04-04&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=CjwKCAiAhJTyBRAvEiwAln2qB02a5RKkbjZJD5nvXpjFqr_-WMBx905NEQjPjSV5C5LysInhWeyW5hoC6oAQAvD_BwE)
doug s.
Couldn’t find it on the web. How does it work?
Nick
Thanks for the links. It’s amazing what’s available on eBay. This device is nearly identical to what I used on my Linn LP12
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Analogis-Clean-Cleaner-Vinyl-Records-Record-Cleaning/163642194914?epid=1302834068&hash=item2619d5bbe2:g:EwAAAOSwNuxXasir
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I would love another Dust Bug. The link is a similar product, but I don't see anything out there that doesn't need to be shipped from abroad. Is there anything more locally available?
I'll be picking up the Magic Eraser tomorrow, but as Doug said, there's less to take off the stylus if you're cleaning the record as it plays.
Further reading tells me these devices may add a slight sonic signature, but who's perfect...
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this looks interesting, nick.
i'd be concerned that playing "wet" might somehow negatively impact the stylus on its cantilever, but i'd need to learn more about it.
doug s.
Thanks for the links. It’s amazing what’s available on eBay. This device is nearly identical to what I used on my Linn LP12
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Analogis-Clean-Cleaner-Vinyl-Records-Record-Cleaning/163642194914?epid=1302834068&hash=item2619d5bbe2:g:EwAAAOSwNuxXasir
Doug, it was so many years ago, but did play the records quietly. That’s about all I remember. I’ve still got my Nitty Gritty, but doubt it can come close to the performance of an ultrasonic cleaner.
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Guys be very careful with the magic erasers. I use them as my primary cleaning tool,but be careful what you buy. Mr. Clean has recently introduced a line a magic erasers that are infused with various different cleaning chemical like Dawn dishwashing detergent or Fabreze. You do not want to use one of these products. Be sure that you buy the original Magic Erasers or you could end up putting more containments onto your stylus than you had before you tried to clean it.
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i suspect this magic eraser thing must be really cheap? ...
doug s.
Yep, they are about $4 for a 4 pack, and one can be cut into several pieces for each turntable and will last for years.
And they work. I used to have a fancy ultra sonic stylus brush by Audio Technica... gave it away.
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ok, so even tho my stylus is pretty clean, due to my hand-washing my records, and consistent use of a "dust bug", were i to want to go cheap, instead of laying out $17.50 for the audiophile-approved product, whcih co these do i choosem, the "magic eraser original"? or something else?
https://www.mrclean.com/en-us/shop-products/magic-erasers (https://www.mrclean.com/en-us/shop-products/magic-erasers)
doug s.
i suspect this magic eraser thing must be really cheap? ...
doug s.
Yep, they are about $4 for a 4 pack, and one can be cut into several pieces for each turntable and will last for years.
And they work. I used to have a fancy ultra sonic stylus brush by Audio Technica... gave it away.
Do it. Just the regular thing sold at every grocery store.
Fun fact, Magic Erasers were original developed as acoustic foam.
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Off topic, but an fyi. Another use for a magic eraser is cleaning floor grout. It’s the best I’ve used although it might take a few applications and it’s obviously hard work.