Stylus Care: What's Your Method

[tima]

To clean a stylus I use a sable artist brush cut short, the white portion of a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (MCME), and occasionally Record Research Labs LP #9 liquid cleaner. I also use a 20X jeweler's triplet on an adjustable stand (amazon) set at stylus height with a small but very bright Coast TT7736DCP LED flashlight.

Check the stylus before each side. This is important.



The MCME is the most effective stylus cleaner I've run across in manymany+ years of record playing. If you are uncertain, check with the veteran vinylistas on Audiogon or do a search there in the Analog forum. You must be careful with it, but that is true with anything stylus related. I just dip the stylus into the foam (well actually I raise the foam to the stylus) a couple-three times, followed by a couple gentle swishes with the brush. I've tried all (or most all) and it beats anything on the market. I find that type of cleaning is needed maybe once per session at most. (The trick to a clean stylus is a clean record.) Mostly I only need to do a light pass with the brush. The ZeroDust is okay (I've got a couple), the electronic vibrating pads are okay (can't remember the name of the popular one from years back, mine still works,) the stylus brushes that come with cleaners are okay. None do a more thorough job than the magic eraser; imo the less I have to fiddle with a stylus, the better. The jewelers loupe is essential - the stand makes it easy - as is the bright lighting. Standard caveats, etc.

[tima]

Originally Posted by jdandy

David.......As clean as your vinyl may be the stylus should be cleaned between each play. There are micro dust particles in the air that are attracted to the vinyl surface through static. This debris ultimately ends up on the stylus tip. In addition, the friction from wall contact and the tremendous acceleration and deceleration the stylus is subjected to generates a lot of heat. This heat will gradually bake contaminants onto the stylus tip that then becomes difficult to remove if allowed to build up. Routine stylus cleaning after each play is essential to the long term health of your cartridge and albums. Using the Ortofon provided brush will keep your stylus tip clean. The biggest issue with its use is the possibility of misuse causing an accident that would damage the cantilever. I use my brush periodically as well as the Zerodust. For obvious reasons, you must always take great care anytime you are doing anything that involves contacting the stylus and cantilever.

This is an important observation. Your stylus can look clean but still have baked on contaminants that build up over time. Ime, this gunk gives the diamond a less than clear brilliant appearance, sometimes making it look a wee bit yellow. Sometimes you can catch it by looking at an angle. I don't believe brushing with an Ortofon type brush or ZeroDust or both can remove it once it is there, but YMMV. The key as Dan says is cleaning (or at least looking) after each side. I consciously worked at being slow and deliberately methodical with my movements around a tonearm and stylus until it became a habit.

[John49]

I have currently the best stylus cleaner I have found. No arm on my turntable, so no dirt build up on my stylus. Works every time! 😎

[Golucid]

Originally Posted by tima

To clean a stylus I use a sable artist brush cut short, the white portion of a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (MCME), and occasionally Record Research Labs LP #9 liquid cleaner. I also use a 20X jeweler's triplet on an adjustable stand (amazon) set at stylus height with a small but very bright Coast TT7736DCP LED flashlight.

Check the stylus before each side. This is important.



The MCME is the most effective stylus cleaner I've run across in manymany+ years of record playing. If you are uncertain, check with the veteran vinylistas on Audiogon or do a search there in the Analog forum. You must be careful with it, but that is true with anything stylus related. I just dip the stylus into the foam (well actually I raise the foam to the stylus) a couple-three times, followed by a couple gentle swishes with the brush. I've tried all (or most all) and it beats anything on the market. I find that type of cleaning is needed maybe once per session at most. (The trick to a clean stylus is a clean record.) Mostly I only need to do a light pass with the brush. The ZeroDust is okay (I've got a couple), the electronic vibrating pads are okay (can't remember the name of the popular one from years back, mine still works,) the stylus brushes that come with cleaners are okay. None do a more thorough job than the magic eraser; imo the less I have to fiddle with a stylus, the better. The jewelers loupe is essential - the stand makes it easy - as is the bright lighting. Standard caveats, etc.

Dude! This is impressive...it almost looks like a work of art. This looks like a serious procedure. Wow.

[Golucid]

Is this the correct Mr. Clean Magic Eraser product?

[audio bill]

No, you want the original version only. Others like the one you pictured include detergents or other additives. Only the original version is the pure cleaning pad which is suitable for cleaning a stylus.

[Capcom]

Originally Posted by tima

The ZeroDust is okay (I've got a couple), the electronic vibrating pads are okay (can't remember the name of the popular one from years back, mine still works,)

Could you be referring to the Audio-Technica AT637 Electronic Stylus Cleaner?

I have several that i haven't used in some time. A very ingenious device.
Very effective but somewhat over aggressive for a modern stylus /cantilever.

[Golucid]

Originally Posted by Capcom

Could you be referring to the Audio-Technica AT637 Electronic Stylus Cleaner?

I have several that i haven't used in some time. A very ingenious device.
Very effective but somewhat over aggressive for a modern stylus /cantilever.

Dave, I just searched for this device and found it on eBay for $129. How much did you pay for the units new? I'm not entirely clear about how this works but it appears interesting.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Capcom

Could you be referring to the Audio-Technica AT637 Electronic Stylus Cleaner?

I have several that i haven't used in some time. A very ingenious device.
Very effective but somewhat over aggressive for a modern stylus /cantilever.

A blast from the past! I had one too

[Capcom]

Originally Posted by Golucid

Dave, I just searched for this device and found it on eBay for $129. How much did you pay for the units new? I'm not entirely clear about how this works but it appears interesting.

David...Here's a PDF file of the instructions for the AT637 Electronic Stylus Cleaner...
I got mine off of Ebay several years ago..