Stylus Care: What's Your Method

Double-D said:
David.......I use Zerodust. It' simple to use and works very well to keep the stylus spotless. I just lower the stylus onto the Zerodust, then raise it back up. That's it.
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Even with M.E., I use the queuing control because I don't trust my hands.
 
MusicDirector said:
Yes, but you want to make sure you get the plain original/standard version.
One four brick box will last you for at least a decade. You cut a small square from a brick, say 1 to 1.5 inches. I got little plastic containers with lids and cut to size. Then use the same way you would a zerodust.
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I'm honestly surprised. The Zerodust costs virtually nothing and lasts a very long time. You're talking about cartridges that cost sometimes thousands of dollars , its amazing anyone would want to take the risk. I have 10 tonearm/cart combos and the Zerodust is pretty much all I use. Liquids are a no-no - since they can travel up the cantilever and as far as the brush is concerned its all too easy to damage the suspension using this.
 
If you already clean your records with a Record Cleaning Machine you really don't need anything except for a small brush to wipe any fluff off from time to time.
 
Double-D said:
David.......That's it. Cut a square about one inch out of the Magic Eraser and glue it to a quarter. The coin will give it weight and make it easier to move under your stylus. If your are worried about scratching the turntable plinth with the quarter put a small piece if sticky-back felt on the bottom of the quarter.
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I use a toothpick to hold and manipulate the small cube of Magic Eraser.
 
XV-1 said:
If you already clean your records with a Record Cleaning Machine you really don't need anything except for a small brush to wipe any fluff off from time to time.
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I had not considered that but you have a point. My vinyl is really clean. Between using a VPI HW27 Typhoon, Audio Desk and a Klaudio. They are fairly clean! I've yet to need to clean the stylus. I just assumed I can not see the debris.
 
Even so, we don't play records in a vacuum. There are many forms of particulates, most of which are oily excretions that flake off our bodies and vacate our orifices.
 
Bobolaclune said:
I'm honestly surprised. The Zerodust costs virtually nothing and lasts a very long time. You're talking about cartridges that cost sometimes thousands of dollars , its amazing anyone would want to take the risk. I have 10 tonearm/cart combos and the Zerodust is pretty much all I use. Liquids are a no-no - since they can travel up the cantilever and as far as the brush is concerned its all too easy to damage the suspension using this.
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I'm not clear what you are getting at or getting from what I said.
Just to be sure though, I never even inferred that the zerodust doesn't last or that it was in some way an inferior product. I'm even picking one up myself now that it can be easily had. I only commented on Magic Eraser in particular in a direct answer to a direct question from the OP. The only mention of zerodust was regarding the way one uses magic eraser. I also never stated that one should only use magic eraser. I happen to use magic eraser since I did not have a zerodust and both work essentially the same way only the zerodust is stickier while the M.E. uses a different material.
It has never been proven that using magic eraser is taking a risk or any more risk than using zerodust. The only risk there is and it's the same for both, is misuse or careless use of them and the results would be the same.
I'll soon have both M.E. and Zerodust, so what is the problem.
I totally agree about liquids too. In fact, the other risk with those I was thinking about is the way the stylus is mounted, such as the bonding agent used and what interaction the chosen liquid may have with it. I see liquids as the big risk and it don't matter if it's a $5000 Lyra or a $100 Ortofon or whatever. Who wants to damage an uber expensive cart and stylus or purchase a less expensive cart/stylus every 3 months because the liquid did something?
 
Steve said:
Even so, we don't play records in a vacuum. There are many forms of particulates, most of which are oily excretions that flake off our bodies and vacate our orifices.
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Also the particulates in the air in our homes from the kitchen and any pets and if there is a smoker and and all manner of stuff that land on the record when you take it out of the sleeve to play it, especially if you like to play without the dust cover on. Even regular "dry" dust is not so dry, it mixes with the other particulates that are sticky and that what makes some dust fall faster due to the extra weight from other particulates. (This is one reason I don't use the air dry in the dish rack method).

No cause for paranoia. It may be that the needle picks nothing up, especially if one also does a dusting brush before or after playing a record, it's still considered a best practice to take care of the stylus while your up.
 
MusicDirector said:
I'm not clear what you are getting at or getting from what I said.
Just to be sure though, I never even inferred that the zerodust doesn't last or that it was in some way an inferior product. I'm even picking one up myself now that it can be easily had. I only commented on Magic Eraser in particular in a direct answer to a direct question from the OP. The only mention of zerodust was regarding the way one uses magic eraser. I also never stated that one should only use magic eraser. I happen to use magic eraser since I did not have a zerodust and both work essentially the same way only the zerodust is stickier while the M.E. uses a different material.
It has never been proven that using magic eraser is taking a risk or any more risk than using zerodust. The only risk there is and it's the same for both, is misuse or careless use of them and the results would be the same.
I'll soon have both M.E. and Zerodust, so what is the problem.
I totally agree about liquids too. In fact, the other risk with those I was thinking about is the way the stylus is mounted, such as the bonding agent used and what interaction the chosen liquid may have with it. I see liquids as the big risk and it don't matter if it's a $5000 Lyra or a $100 Ortofon or whatever. Who wants to damage an uber expensive cart and stylus or purchase a less expensive cart/stylus every 3 months because the liquid did something?
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Getting at ? Or Getting? Problem?

Inferences?

Feel free to draw your own as you've obviously seen fit to do. I am making no comments implied, insinuated, assumed or tacitly suggested. My surprise was simply at the usage of a product for an application it was not clearly designed for. Whether it works or has been "proven" (by whom ? who's actually going to fess up to wrecking a multi-thousand Dollar cartridge by using a ME?) , I find that I would rather buy a product designed for the job, that lasts a very long time and whose cost is de minimus in the context of cartridge cost. But that's me , some may feel the risk is very worthwhile.
 
Some dark humor on the topic...I read this thread yesterday and realized I hadn't cleaned my Benz lps in awhile. Pulled the Zerodust out and shazam clean needle right before bedtime. But all night long I had a dream I was carrying my cartridge with me with needle exposed, at a hotel among people needing to cross a river etc. One long dream of my expensive cartridge being held by me and in peril.
 
Dpod4 said:
Some dark humor on the topic...I read this thread yesterday and realized I hadn't cleaned my Benz lps in awhile. Pulled the Zerodust out and shazam clean needle right before bedtime. But all night long I had a dream I was carrying my cartridge with me with needle exposed, at a hotel among people needing to cross a river etc. One long dream of my expensive cartridge being held by me and in peril.
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Dpod4.......The subconscious mind can wreck havoc on our sleep with the worries of our conscious thoughts. I am surprised you were able to remember the dream.
 
Dpod4 said:
Some dark humor on the topic...I read this thread yesterday and realized I hadn't cleaned my Benz lps in awhile. Pulled the Zerodust out and shazam clean needle right before bedtime. But all night long I had a dream I was carrying my cartridge with me with needle exposed, at a hotel among people needing to cross a river etc. One long dream of my expensive cartridge being held by me and in peril.
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At my age Darrin, I'd be delighted with a dream like that , I'm usually worried about a lot more than my needle being exposed......:woot:
 
Bobolaclune said:
Getting at ? Or Getting? Problem?

Inferences?

Feel free to draw your own as you've obviously seen fit to do. I am making no comments implied, insinuated, assumed or tacitly suggested. My surprise was simply at the usage of a product for an application it was not clearly designed for. Whether it works or has been "proven" (by whom ? who's actually going to fess up to wrecking a multi-thousand Dollar cartridge by using a ME?) , I find that I would rather buy a product designed for the job, that lasts a very long time and whose cost is de minimus in the context of cartridge cost. But that's me , some may feel the risk is very worthwhile.
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Sorry, I may have misunderstood part of what you said. I know what you mean here and I can't argue it because there is no argument. There are some folks with expensive cartridges that will use magic eraser, believe it or not, I've run into them. On the other hand in backing your statement, I do wonder that if they bothered to spend four digits or something on the cart, why not spend the extra $60 (less now) on a zerodust? I admit it makes no sense (unless of course they spent all the money they have on the cart, but where it me, I would have factored in the cost of the zerodust, but that's me).
I'm only saying the two products do the same thing with different material and the damage risk is the same, however with the zerodust being a lot more sticky than M.E., it may be that it does a better job. (That's why I ordered a zerodust, to see for myself and it certainly won't hurt to use it from now on anyway).
I read someplace that the material we know as zerodust was not originally designed for cleaning needles either, but I'll be darned if I can find that now. Doesn't much matter though since it works.
 
Golucid said:
I had not considered that but you have a point. My vinyl is really clean. Between using a VPI HW27 Typhoon, Audio Desk and a Klaudio. They are fairly clean! I've yet to need to clean the stylus. I just assumed I can not see the debris.
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+1

I'm always blown away by just how dirty the Onzow gets.

But based upon my finding you need to reclean US cleaned LPs regularly, there's something more going on than is being appreciated.
 
Myles B. Astor said:
+1

I'm always blown away by just how dirty the Onzow gets.

But based upon my finding you need to reclean US cleaned LPs regularly, there's something more going on than is being appreciated.
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Just for clarity, this is even after being cleaned to within an inch of the record's life with fluids, vacuum, ultrasonics or all of that?
Don't get me wrong, I am habitual about cleaning my stylus as mentioned, no matter the record. With that statement, I can hardly wait to get delivery of my Zerodust. I've never seen anything come off on my magic eraser or stylus brush. Doesn't mean there isn't something still on the stylus though even with my religious habit.

I agree about recleaning LPS, but I would think it would be any LPs and not just US ones, accounting for what settles on them when they are out of their jackets, I could be wrong. I wonder if it has something to do with the way LPs are pressed in the US verses elsewhere?
 
MusicDirector said:
Sorry, I may have misunderstood part of what you said. I know what you mean here and I can't argue it because there is no argument. There are some folks with expensive cartridges that will use magic eraser, believe it or not, I've run into them. On the other hand in backing your statement, I do wonder that if they bothered to spend four digits or something on the cart, why not spend the extra $60 (less now) on a zerodust? I admit it makes no sense (unless of course they spent all the money they have on the cart, but where it me, I would have factored in the cost of the zerodust, but that's me).
I'm only saying the two products do the same thing with different material and the damage risk is the same, however with the zerodust being a lot more sticky than M.E., it may be that it does a better job. (That's why I ordered a zerodust, to see for myself and it certainly won't hurt to use it from now on anyway).
I read someplace that the material we know as zerodust was not originally designed for cleaning needles either, but I'll be darned if I can find that now. Doesn't much matter though since it works.
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I apologize if the following is repetitive as I've not read every post in this thread.

I use the zerodust about every third or fourth side, lightly. barely dipping the stylus into the surface. I always make sure my glasses are on for that action.

the Magic Eraser is more for when I feel a more aggressive cleaning is needed. sometimes I will take a q-tip and dip it in water and dab that on the stylus first to allow anything that might have built up and dried on to dissolve slightly. I know the water will not wick up the cantilever like some chemicals. my philosophy is always "don't mess with stuff any more than you need to", and "beware of unintended consequences". and I always do this un-muted so the system will tell me if I got too aggressive.

if you observe Magic Eraser under a microscope you see lots of stiff/sharp little loops that grab and cut at stuff. so it's critical that you drag the magic eraser softly in the correct direction since it can easily snag and ruin your day.
 
MusicDirector said:
Also the particulates in the air in our homes from the kitchen and any pets and if there is a smoker and and all manner of stuff that land on the record when you take it out of the sleeve to play it, especially if you like to play without the dust cover on. Even regular "dry" dust is not so dry, it mixes with the other particulates that are sticky and that what makes some dust fall faster due to the extra weight from other particulates. (This is one reason I don't use the air dry in the dish rack method).

No cause for paranoia. It may be that the needle picks nothing up, especially if one also does a dusting brush before or after playing a record, it's still considered a best practice to take care of the stylus while your up.
Click to expand...
The act of playing a record creates a vortex that when combined with the LP's inherant static charge sucks crap out of the air. Maybe not so bad in the country but for us urban dwellers....
 
Myles B. Astor said:
The act of playing a record creates a vortex that when combined with the LP's inherant static charge sucks crap out of the air. Maybe not so bad in the country but for us urban dwellers....
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Myles.......Trust me, there's plenty of airborne particulates out here in the country. Pine tree pollen, oak tree pollen, hay fields being cut in the summer with plenty of stuff floating away. Yes, the country air is sweet to breath but there's plenty of airborne micro debris that loves to find its way into our homes and ultimately wants to settle on everything including my records when they are out of the inner sleeve and jacket.
 
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