I am using the Zerostat by Dishwasher to rid my record of static. Period. To check for static hold your record tilted on the edge and drop a styrofoam packing peanut or bits of a crumpled styrofoam cup. If the bits cling, you have static which attracts dust while sitting on your platter. If your Zerostat is working properly, the styrofoam should just glide right off. No more static. That's all this unit does and nothing more. All the noise you complain about sounds like dirty records and should be cleaned as other people have suggested. Regretably, even brand new records are not guarateed to be noise free. This is why I don't bother going out of my way to buy them and prefer the original pressings (and clean them before I play them). Also, the Zerostat, it's claimed, helps CD's. I zap my CD's before I play them when I can. I've been too lazy to A-B the sounds of Zerostated CD versus un-Zerostated but I'm not losing too much sleep over it. In short, I use my Zerostat to rid static on cleaned records to repel dust that might fall on the surface while they are merrily spinning away. Good luck.
Milty Zerostat - Questions
I recently purchased a new Milty Zerostat gun, but I don't think it's working properly. I need help answering the following:
- Am I using the Zerostat correctly?
- Do I have a defective unit?
- Is this yet more audiophile BS?
Usage:
I hold the gun about 5" above the spinning record, slowly pulling the trigger (no click). I then point the gun elsewhere when releasing the trigger, and repeat this about 2 or 3 times per side. I can hear a very, very faint burst of air emitted from the gun, but it doesn't sound like very much.
Problem:
I have a box of recently inherited albums, all of which are in good condition, but have a substantial amount of static cling (and dust). After using the Zerostat in the method described above, I have failed to notice any audible difference. There is still a noticeable amount of pops/crackles when I play the records. Additionally, I have found that the dust particles (or paper particles from the inserts) have not loosened either. The record brush just spreads the crap around, so to speak. These records probably need a good cleaning, but shouldn't the Zerostat help... at least a bit?
Testing the Unit:
Included in the packaging is a small 'plastic bit' that you affix to the nozzle. When you pull the trigger, the light bulb inside the plastic bit should glow slightly, if the gun is in proper working order. When I attempt this test, the light bulb glows very, very faintly, if at all, and only for a short period of time (.5 seconds). The light bulb definitely glows when I pull the trigger quickly and hear a click. So, do I have a defective unit? The instructions on the box made it sound as if the test is hit or miss.
Should I be kicking myself for spending $100 on a plastic gun? Any/all help would be greatly appreciated (sorry for the book).
- Am I using the Zerostat correctly?
- Do I have a defective unit?
- Is this yet more audiophile BS?
Usage:
I hold the gun about 5" above the spinning record, slowly pulling the trigger (no click). I then point the gun elsewhere when releasing the trigger, and repeat this about 2 or 3 times per side. I can hear a very, very faint burst of air emitted from the gun, but it doesn't sound like very much.
Problem:
I have a box of recently inherited albums, all of which are in good condition, but have a substantial amount of static cling (and dust). After using the Zerostat in the method described above, I have failed to notice any audible difference. There is still a noticeable amount of pops/crackles when I play the records. Additionally, I have found that the dust particles (or paper particles from the inserts) have not loosened either. The record brush just spreads the crap around, so to speak. These records probably need a good cleaning, but shouldn't the Zerostat help... at least a bit?
Testing the Unit:
Included in the packaging is a small 'plastic bit' that you affix to the nozzle. When you pull the trigger, the light bulb inside the plastic bit should glow slightly, if the gun is in proper working order. When I attempt this test, the light bulb glows very, very faintly, if at all, and only for a short period of time (.5 seconds). The light bulb definitely glows when I pull the trigger quickly and hear a click. So, do I have a defective unit? The instructions on the box made it sound as if the test is hit or miss.
Should I be kicking myself for spending $100 on a plastic gun? Any/all help would be greatly appreciated (sorry for the book).