Stylus cleaners
I used to use Onzo ZeroDust with my first few cartridges years ago. With the last two cartridges, Hana ML, I have only been using the included Hana brush for every side of LP and the MoFi LP-9 liquid stylus cleaner (I get as much fluid out of the brush by pressing it against the neck of the bottle before I clean stylus) every 3-4 records.
Onzo is collecting dust especially since the Fremer’s The Tracking Angle article.
I’ve been looking at DS Audio ST-50 but at $80 I’m not sure it will do anything better than my current cleaning methods.
What’s your stylus cleaning routine?
I deep clean my stylus once every quarter with LAST Duo. For context, I don’t buy used records, and I do a light dry clean (back to front motion) with the stock stylus brush before every playback. The rule of thumb, if you notice sudden sibilance, loss in treble, increase in surface noise….its time for deep wet clean. |
@lalitk thanks for the info! I think my MoFi LP-9 stylus cleaning fluid is more of a regular maintenance item. They recommend using it for every record played. I don’t do that. I just use the Hana stylus brush. I also rarely buy used records but when I do I thoroughly clean them. They’re never played unless immaculate. The Humminguru is doing a decent job by the way with new and previously played vinyl. I dig it. |
'The Humminguru is doing a decent job by the way with new and previously played vinyl. I dig it." Good to see your opinion on HG has come around. I suppose I should move on one before some additional tariff bumps the reasonable cost. The humble Spin Clean does only so much😂 Degritter or equivalent is what's really preferred, but I haven't come across a used one for 1/2 price 😂 I ONLY buy used....being picky/lucky, most of the time I find winners that Spin Clean is enough to make worthy of being played on someone's UBER setup or a show. |
@tablejockey I use Knosti Disco Antistat which is similar to spinclean. I will most likely continue to wash used and soiled records with it as first step (I don’t normally end up with any unless misrepresented in auction). The Humdinger’s been a pleasure to use. Convenient and effective. Give it a shot. Just avoid using the included fluid. It leaves audible (veiled sound) residue and I had to rewash records. I use only distilled water - @lalitk was spot on with that recommendation. |
I have 2x of the DS and love them. The acid test is use all the above m ( yes I have ) and drop your stylus on a pristine DS pad… that dot of #%<?!! Might shock ya. Drop again…. Nothing.. pad is washable ( I use distilled water ) I do use stylast and I have a fairly intense US cleaning regime w Degritter and KL Audio machines… |
