Stylus cleaners

I’ll get the LAST stylus cleaner and stylast kit. Curious how it compares with MoFi 9. This should probably last a lifetime. 

@richardbrand 

"I like to raise and lower the stylus into the gel surface of my DS Audio ST-50 a few times while checking with a Zeiss D40 loupe."

I only use my DS Audio gel when there is a pernicious fiber or something that I can see with my naked eye that I can’t remove with the stylus brush. Does the trick.

@billstevenson 

"Hudson HiFi makes a gadget that they claim is an ultrasonic stylus cleaner."

Following comments, I remember reading in some hifi publication it was pointed out that these so-called ultrasonic cleaners make an audible buzzing noise in operation and the author knowledgably pointed out that if you can hear it it’s not "ultrasonic" since the word implies above the range of human hearing. Also, aren’t you supposed to apply a drop of cleaning fluid in a recess where you place the stylus? Seems it would make it susceptible to drawing the fluid up the cantilever. Hudson markets a line of reputable products otherwise; I use their tonearm alignment block and turntable strobe disc which were both practical and accessibly priced.

@lpluvr 

"I may have been living under a rock, but in the 30+ years I’ve been into audio and owned all manner of cartridges, I’ve never heard anyone suggest Blu Tak as a stylus cleaner.  There are many well-established cleaners with a long track record of safety that I would opt for instead."

These products are old news, their use as a stylus cleaner and efficacy have been discussed on these forums since the manufacturers introduced them for their intended purpose like cleaning house or hanging pictures on a wall.

@audphile1 

"I’ll get the LAST stylus cleaner and stylast kit."

I've never used STYLAST. I can't imagine gunking up my stylus when all I want to do is keep it clean. LAST cleaner is great though.

@tomic601 

"Also for those rightfully enamored w liquid last,,, peer into the bottle now and then with an eye to the abrasive slurry floating around inside.,, like mating the fridge… when in doubt throw it out,,,,,"

Your comment above inspired me to look through my bottle of LAST while shining my turntable lamp through it. Crystal clear, maybe you’re contaminating your solution with the applicator after it contacts your stylus or when you apply it to your stylus brush. Either way you’re not going to saturate your stylus brush with it and you only need to pass the stylus through the smallest trace of the solution for it to be affective.

@mylogic 

"As a last resort for stubborn welded on particles….. The Green Stuff sand paper."

Interestingly, The Green Stuff I believe is marketed by Naim, go figure. But using sandpaper on my stylus? All I can imagine is after a few swipes you’d only have a nub!

@faustuss  so after brushing gunk off with stylast how are you cleaning the brush before replacing it in the bottle ?,,,, 

Just a general? How many are using black light to verify those records are all that clean after the XYZ clean and pushing bits around with a brush… ?… thought so….

@antinn  where are you when needed bro ?