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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?

audphile1
porchlight1's avatar
porchlight1
99 posts
 

audphile1  I used up a bottle of Last Record Preservative when I was in college in the mid 1970’s to use on my favorite records. It’s really a PITA to use properly!  BUT every one of those pressings, whether German ECM pressings or run of the mill Columbia’s, remain as pristine and noise free as they were 50 years ago.  And they don’t collect static like most all new pressings do. I’m tempted to try the Last treatment again if it wasn’t such a chore to apply. That is, if it’s still available.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
8,131 posts
 

@porchlight1 it is still available. I still use it but rarely. Have about 1/2 bottle left.
I think it evaporates extremely quickly if you don’t cap the bottle right away.
Also it seemed on some records the sound became warmer. Not necessarily worse but depending on a recording quality it could be too much of a good thing. 
May be it’s my head…don’t know. But to your point I have some records treated with LAST from around 20 years ago that still look and sound like new. 

durkn
109 posts
 

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2877721
 

The blue tack is a drop on - lift off process.

If you have a tonearm lift, safe.

durkn
109 posts
 

I used bluetack on my Soundsmith cart per their recommendation.

I put it in a small cap to handle it.

 

I got tires of fiddling with that & bought the DS Audio ST-50 - $60 at the time.

Slim design, aluminum anodized case w/ cover, leather bottom for setting on platter or LP, & washable - I don't have to keep buying consumables.

Simple & safe - drop on & lift off with tonearm lift.

A little spendy but works well for me.

 

vitussl101's avatar
vitussl101
296 posts
 

Hasn't this subject been covered several times recently?  And $400.00-$500.00 lights?  I have used this acegoo Dimmable Reading Light Gooseneck LED Task Light since 2018, attached to the wall behind my equipment racks.  It looks smart, bends where I need it behind my equipment, and never fails.  Has a nice blue LED if you need it : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F3ZKB7S?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_2

    I also use this 30X Nazano magnifying glass.  Paid ten bucks(twenty now), bought two: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091Y8JSW6?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3

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