I bought a Lepro LED light from amazon. Yeah it will allow you to see more dust on the record. ZeroStat it then use a brush. You will never get a 100% perfectly clean surface. Using blacklight will show more crap but there’s nothing you can do about it, so I don’t bother. I’m just going to get it as clean as I can, as safely as I can for both the record and the stylus. I really enjoy the entire process but I don’t want to obsess over things I can’t entirely control.
Back to stylus cleaner…according to MoFi, “Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab LP#9 is both a stylus cleaner and a stylus preservative in one bottle.” So it’s kind of like LAST kit but all in one. I hear improved clarity and dynamics with overall better and quieter sound after using it. We’ll see what LAST brings to the table.
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?
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It might have been I who posted that “ultrasonic” stylus cleaners are not ultrasonic. They vibrate at about 450-500Hz, but mine does work to clean styli very well. It is my last resort method. I think they’re all made in the same place but sold under different brand names. Mine is Audioquest. I’m not sure you’d want ultrasonic even if that were possible. |
Totally agree with above comment from tablejockey. I have been using the Magic Eraser sponge for many years now to clean my stylus'. Under a microscope they show no signs of wear and still look brand new. I will follow up occasionally with a stylus brush to clean the debris from the cantilever. I steer clear of any wet cleaners. |
@faustuss thx for the detailed last to yet another brush process, I appreciate that rigor and shall consider adopting it. |
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