Do you clean the stylus?

[porcy62]

I have the unconfortable sensation that my stylus acculates tons of dirt from old records. The prove is that the last time I changed the MC cartdridge all the records sounded much better and dead quiter. Now I am buying a record cleaning machine, and I have a dilemma in front of me: if I clean a record the dirty stylus will depose its sticky mud in the groove of a cleaned record. Should I clean the stylus before, but there are some really good products out there that don't leave some kind of deposit or should I opt for a radical solution and change the cartridge, that is only in middle age of manufactured suggested life?

[Peter A]

It's not necessary to change the stylus or even the cartridge, when the stylus is a bit dirty. Bottles with stylus cleaning fluid, often supplied with a little brush, are available in specialist shops. After I have cleaned my stylus every two weeks it sounds like new again!

[brownie]

I have no problem with most vinyls. Before they are spinned they are cleaned from whatever dust may lie on the grooves with a Statibrush II brush. Have used it for years and it still does its work perfectly.

The stylus gets a quick visit regularly from the Statibrush.

[porcy62]

It's not necessary to change the stylus or even the cartridge, when the stylus is a bit dirty. Bottles with stylus cleaning fluid, often supplied with a little brush, are available in specialist shops. After I have cleaned my stylus every two weeks it sounds like new again!

Have you one preferred product?

My concern is that, more often than one could think, specialized cleaning fluids leave some sort of deposit, that is the reason because with record cleaning fluid you have to rinse LP with demineralized water, after the fluid. Another problem could be that, usually the stylus is matched with cantilever with some sort of glue, maybe epossidic, so a cleaning fluid could damage the matching beteween stylus and cantilever.

[porcy62]

I have no problem with most vinyls. Before they are spinned they are cleaned from whatever dust may lie on the grooves with a Statibrush II brush. Have used it for years and it still does its work perfectly.

The stylus gets a quick visit regularly from the Statibrush.

That's what I usually do, but it seems not enough. Obviously I hadn't the same care of records that you had since you bought them new directly from A. Lion. (little indulgent envy ) I have to buy them used and they come in every conditions.

Edited December 14, 2006 by porcy62

[JohnS]

It's not necessary to change the stylus or even the cartridge, when the stylus is a bit dirty. Bottles with stylus cleaning fluid, often supplied with a little brush, are available in specialist shops. After I have cleaned my stylus every two weeks it sounds like new again!

My routine too, but less frequently. I'd better go and do it now.

[Clunky]

I haven't touched my stylus ....ever.

I have been wondering how long my stlus/cartridge will last and how will I know when it must be replaced- once i've ruined all my records???

[porcy62]

I haven't touched my stylus ....ever.

I have been wondering how long my stlus/cartridge will last and how will I know when it must be replaced- once i've ruined all my records???

Usually manufacturers indicate a medium life for a stylus, that IMHO may shift of 10% if you play well cleaned and new records or old damaged and dirty records. The point is that if you use a MM cartridge you can replace by yourself your stylus often and cheaper, if you have a MC one, you have to replace the whole thing, or the stylus by manufacturers. Very expensive. Usually Linn allows me a 33% discount when I give back my old cartdrige and I got a new one.

Edited December 14, 2006 by porcy62

[Peter A]

Have you one preferred product?

My concern is that, more often than one could think, specialized cleaning fluids leave some sort of deposit, that is the reason because with record cleaning fluid you have to rinse LP with demineralized water, after the fluid. Another problem could be that, usually the stylus is matched with cantilever with some sort of glue, maybe epossidic, so a cleaning fluid could damage the matching beteween stylus and cantilever.

I still use the bottle I bought many years ago (sorry - can't check the brand as I am at work right now).

However, I don't think the fluid leaves any deposit as it is very volatile. After I use it the stylus is almost immediately dry.

[David Ayers]

Clean it? Am I some sort of obsessive compulsive?

Change it? Am I made of money?

Sheesh.

[sidewinder]

I use stylus cleaning fluid - applied carefully with a small brush (supplied with the bottle) in a direction parallel with the tonearm. Works fine ! In combination with record cleaning via VPI 16.5/RR Solutions the results are good.

Can't quite recall the name of the supplier of the stylus cleaner but I think it's Japanese. £5 a bottle over here. Will check out the name if you are interested.

[porcy62]

Clean it? Am I some sort of obsessive compulsive?

I am not obsessive compulsive, I am a schizophrenic with multiple personality like an analyst explained to one of the other 'me' .

Change it? Am I made of money?

If you think that it's a bargain to spare 300 bucks for a new stylus meantime your worned out stylus are ploughing your collections of BN...

[porcy62]

I use stylus cleaning fluid - applied carefully with a small brush (supplied with the bottle) in a direction parallel with the tonearm. Works fine ! In combination with record cleaning via VPI 16.5/RR Solutions the results are good.

Can't quite recall the name of the supplier of the stylus cleaner but I think it's Japanese. £5 a bottle over here. Will check out the name if you are interested.

It would be much appreciated, thanks.

I am thinking about one of these

http://store.acousticsounds.com/category.c...pment&id=87

[sidewinder]

porcy - just checked and the stuff I use is Audio-Technica AT607 'Stylus Cleaning Formula'. Got mine over here at a branch of 'Audio Excellence' (part of the Audio-T group). I reckon it should be easy to get over in Italy. If not, give me a shout.

[sidewinder]

I am thinking about one of these

http://store.acousticsounds.com/category.c...pment&id=87

I'll bet that Record Research Lab stuff is great - if their record cleaning products are anything to go by !

[Teasing the Korean]

I've used the Discwasher stylus brush and cleaner for ages. I probably don't clean the stylus as regularly as recommended. At one point I tried this stuff that is supposed to extend the longevity of the stylus, but I didn't buy into it. It seemed like overkill to have two little bottles of different fluid for one little needle...

[Dmitry]

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

[porcy62]

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Damn! I even sought it on Google!!

In Italy his name is "Mastro Lindo"!

[Parkertown]

I use this one, also found on that acoustic sounds page. Here's the direct link:

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_det...ction=equipment

You lower your stylus into the element, and all the gunk and fuzz stays in the element. You then lift it out and it's super-clean! Love mine...

The lid/cover is also a magnifying lens, allowing you to see your stylus clean and all the gunk stuck in the element. Can be washed and re-used indefinitely.

But that price is too much. I got mine for $30 from some guy at audiogon. Perhaps elsewhere as well...

Edited December 14, 2006 by Parkertown

[porcy62]

I use this one, also found on that acoustic sounds page. Here's the direct link:

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_det...ction=equipment

You lower your stylus into the element, and all the gunk and fuzz stays in the element. You then lift it out and it's super-clean! Love mine...

The lid/cover is also a magnifying lens, allowing you to see your stylus clean and all the gunk stuck in the element. Can be washed and re-used indefinitely.

But that price is too much. I got mine for $30 from some guy at audiogon. Perhaps elsewhere as well...

This really intrigues me, and if it's true that will last a lifetime, and I am in mid-term mandate, even 69 bucks aren't so much. I google a little but the price seems fixed at 69. Consider that I have to add the shipping cost, I could add it to some records's order at Acoustic Sound or someone's else.

[Parkertown]

Hey, I just got an email from themusic.com . They're having this item on sale for $50.

themusic.com is the retail branch of Classic Records.

[erhodes]

I've been using Last stylus cleaner and Stylast for 10-15 years on a Grado Signature 8. No damage to the canteliver, including with the brush, no build up, no damage to the adhesive. FWIW, I use Last products on the vinyl, too. Good stuff.

[Claude]

I use a $5 stylus brush, from Last (without the cleaning fluid)

[six string]

I use a $5 stylus brush, from Last (without the cleaning fluid)

I too use Last Stylus cleaner (every week or so). I give the stylus a dry brushing before I play any record, regardless of how clean I think the record is.

[street singer]

I use the Onzow Zerodust as well. Got mine for $30 from some guy on Audiogon - same one as Parkertown, I'm sure. I've had mine for about a year now and have been very happy with it. Seems to do very good job.