Stylus cleaners

You can also run a smaller filter in the listening room when not spinning vinyl. I think our is a Winex and has a sensor to prompt filter changes. Both of my main systems live in salt fog / wind driven sand environments… such is life…

I think my North system light is a reliable, South is my tried n true LiL lite gooseneck - good enough for my portable recording rack… all these lights greatly benefit from a decent linear power supply…,

all these lights greatly benefit from a decent linear power supply…,
 

@tomic601 I am sure some will laugh at this statement but the SMPS these lights come with, when plugged into the same AC line with your components, can pollute power and negatively impact the sound of your system. If your system, room and ears are well tuned for you to be able to hear it. 
 

@knownothing not a chance we can eliminate dust. All we can do is minimize it. 
As to stylus cleaner…I know my MoFi LP9 is probably less than ideal as it contains some alcohol, but I can tell you the difference after cleaning the stylus with it is dramatic. I am looking forward to trying LAST stylus cleaner and Stylast treatment. Supposed to be safe. But don’t take my word for it….

For sure… clearly audible even in my low resolution system… tips n tricks:

banish SMPS on the clean analog leg of your panel

iF possible replace w LPS, failing that create a dedicated homerun line to dirty leg and put at least a Furman 15 on it .better yet LPs plus power conditioning 

as always YMMV just like your ears may vary.,,

A good ten years ago I started using the small gel pads that are used to a "tune" a snare drum to clean my stylus.  The pads are commonly placed in critical spots on the snare drum head to achieve a balanced pitch everywhere on the head.  They are very inexpensive, costing much less than the same item designated specifically for phono cartridge use.  It works great and removes accumulated grunge with little to no effort.  Simply place the stylus on the pad, let it set for a minute and then remove the stylus.  They can be washed with water to rejuvenate them. 

I have seen individuals place Large Magnets near their Cart's when not using them.

The quantity of Ferrous Metal Particulate that the Magnet attracts and catches in some of the seen images is hard to believe has happened.

Note: That same Non Ferrous Particulate is also at risk of ending up internally of the Cart' attached to the Magnet.

A person I know, not too many years past, lost use of a channel on a Cart' with not too many hours usage. The repair technician reported iron filings had got into the Coil, reacted with wire insulation and the end result was a shorted Coil.

My advisory offered today, to anybody who takes their replaying of Vinyl as a serious area of their hobby. Is to send the Cart', with approx' 50% usage life for a inspection, with the idea, it will need a thorough clean internally and possibly a tweak to the tensioning wire. An assessment on the Stylus condition will also prove valuable.

It really is a shame Cart' Companies don't offer a version of this 'Aftercare Service', as part of a Cart's Sale.

As a loose estimation of Cost:

1, I can return a Cart' to a Third Party Service who has not made any monies from me and typically, it is approx' £60 - $80 to inspect the Cart's Internal, usually refundable if work is agreed.

2, If no parts are required (not expected from a 50% usage inspection ) the Cart' returned pristine clean and possibly with a tweaked tension wire, would incur another $30 - $40.

3, For approx' $100 a Cart' can be optimised for the latter part of the usage life, giving the user the very best experience. Not a increasing deteriorating experience, where contaminant already present is being built upon impacting the Cart's function.

4, When the Cart' Company has already acquired in many cases, a large sum of ones monies. It does seem that 'Aftercare' for them is cheap to make available, but as a available service, is one that is very valuable to the user of their products.  Also it probably will be very useful to the Company's learning about their own Products out in the real world. A very cheap insight to what might be a future development need for the R&D Team.

5, Recently I reported on a Company selling Cart's that are retailing at up to $12K that has Dampers self destruct, prior to the Cartridge being much more than a Year old. Not a major issue, if the Cart' is spent in a year with usage hours already spent.

It is a big problem if the Cart' is expected to be used for 2-4 Years until the 1000osh Hours are spent with it in use. 75% of the Cart's usage is with a Damper no longer fit for purpose and Warranty Period is spent as well. I'm sure this Company would struggle with the idea of receiving returned Cart's for a ' Aftercare Service'. How do they avoid not telling the full picture about the serious deteriorated condition known to be found with the Damper Part to the Cart' owner ??? Not the type of forum and media talk one wants about their product.