2. analog
  3. 1419579356

Does the MAPLESHADE STATIC DRAINING BRUSH work?

After hearing the DRAMATIC improvement in dynamics, clarity, and the blackest background ever from vinyl LPs while listening to my buddy's modest analog system I had to try the MAPLESHADE STATIC DRAINING BRUSH for myself. Yep. This plug in device really works. EVERY LP that I have played after brushing it with this device sounds dramatically better. Where I thought I was hearing ticks or surface noise in the vinyl (like between tracks and quiet passages in the music) I was mistaken. The noise was due to static OR magnetism because in EVERY instance where I had heard noise or ticks -- there was dead and I mean dead quiet silence.

Michael Fremer commented on an LP demagnetizer a couple of years ago saying that there are properties inherent to vinyl that can become magnetized. Problems in sound quality could vary but some issues are noisy vinyl, smearing, loss in dynamics, etc.

Well, Michael is right! After using the Mapleshade Static Draining brush every record has sounded much more alive, dynamic, and the noise floor is much blacker.

(We) spend hundreds or thousands of dollars buying cables and AC conditioners and cable elevators, etc. to avoid static but aside from using a Zerostat gun or antistatic brush (which actually adds static) it seems like a no-brainer to at at least give this device a try. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard the black and white difference for myself.

Has anyone else experienced similar results?
128x128dramapsycho

Showing 3 responses by dougdeacon

dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
But none of this has anything whatever to do with magnetism or demagnetizing an LP, the need for which is still a controversial topic, at best.
There's no controversy among those who've actually tried it - at least not about the need. The benefits are clearly audible and have been verified by multiple listeners in multiple systems.

Why these benefits occur does remain controversial, in the sense that hypotheses regarding the precise mechanism involved have not been rigorously tested.

Those willing to enjoy a demonstrable sonic improvement prior to receiving proof of just why it occurs may be naive, but aesthetically satisfied nonetheless. :-)
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Lewm,

It's true that improper use of a de-magnetizer can (will) have the opposite effect. However...
1) any such undesired effect is easily reversible; and
2) proper use is hardly difficult.

A discussion of one inexpensive de-magnetizer and how to use it was posted here.

Fully agree that the Furutech DeMag's $2500 price tag is a show stopper for most, including me. There's no danger of my being that foolish! Fortunately, inexpensive de-magnetizers work just as well, as reported on that thread by someone who compared them.

Why not try it? Trust me, it won't challenge the brains, dexterity or income of a surgeon!

Stringreen,

That's scary!!! Thanks for a good warning.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Lewm,

I knew you were too smart to be just a medical mechanic! ;-)

Do you have something you use as a "control", so you know for sure that DE-magnetization has occurred?
I've used the device to intentionally magnetize, de-magnetize and re-magnetize needles and paper clips. This is easy and repeatable.

One could tape a paper clip down next to the LP when using the device, then test it afterwards to ensure it's de-magnetized. I haven't bothered, but that would be a reasonable procedural control.
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