Your supposition about dirt being softer than vinyl overlooks one extremely important factor, the extreme heat and pressure generated at the point of stylus contact. During that brief moment, those prodigious stresses soften the vinyl so that it is much more vunerable to damage. Plus, the make up of "dirt" varies. You've got fiber & dander particles as well as harder gritty bits of plaster, sand, and who knows what else floating around. I've looked at the detritus on a records' grooves through scanning electron microscope imagery, it varies greatly in composition and size. These variable particles also account for why a dirty record DOES wear diamond faster than a clean record. It's a given that even though diamond is the hardest substance, it can still be slowly worn away. Any increase in abrasive presence during playback exacerbates wear.
Can I clean my records manually?
Well, I know I can but, will this method yield acceptable results for approximately 6 months until I get a record cleaner? If so, I imagine I need a cleaning fluid and some type of a brush or rag. Can anyone recommend a method. Also, am I correct in assuming that the only value an automatic cleaner provides is convenience?
Further, can a dirty record damage a cartridge? I can't see how it would since dirt is softer than the vinyl grooves and lots softer than a diamond.
Am I that ignorant? Please, let me down easy.
thanx
Further, can a dirty record damage a cartridge? I can't see how it would since dirt is softer than the vinyl grooves and lots softer than a diamond.
Am I that ignorant? Please, let me down easy.
thanx