Analog maintenance

Flyfish,

I use the Last Stylus cleaner only about once in 10 record plays. I want to touch the stylus as few times as I can. I find that it takes at least that long for plastic to build up on the needle and ultimately, each time you touch the stylus, you are putting pressure on the cantilever and the "o" ring holding the cantilever in position. If I actually have dust on the stylus, which should be seldom since you are using the VPI RCM, I use a Benz-Micro dust brush to remove it. As your mother wisely advised you in your teens, touch your needle only when necessary.

If you are picking up groove dust after using the VPI, it may be coming from old inner sleeves. I recommend you buy rice paper sleeves and change out the old sleeve after cleaning your record. Also, I like multi step cleaning systems like Lloyd Walker's Prelude System. It's a bit more time consuming, but once cleaned, it will be a long time before you will have to do it again. You will get improved sonics and cleaner grooves. I used the solid stylus cleaner you are using years ago under a different brand name. It is supoose to last forever and it is suppose to be cleanable. I found it lost its tack after one cleaning and was of no use thereafter.

John, I forgot to mention that I use the Walker Talisman as well. I think the perceived effectiveness of it will depend upon the resolution of the sytem in which it is used.