Stylus Care: What's Your Method

Golucid

Golucid

Taking a break
Joined
Jan 10, 2015
Messages
1,058
I am learning how to care for Ortofon Windfeld Cartridge and Stylus.

I am using two Last products as well as a gentle brush. [See photo] Because I am so thorough cleaning my vinyl, I rarely use the brush.

Suggestions and what is your method?
 
I think you have things pretty well covered in my opinion.

Most times for me it's a dip into a piece of Magic Eraser before each side. Sometimes it's a gentle pass with a dry stylus brush if I'm feeling particularly OCD. I've never seen anything on or around my stylus or come off on the M.E. or brush, (signs of a clean record).
I'm thinking about getting a Zerodust, but how much different in function and performance is it than M.E?
I am on the fence about using liquids on my stylus.

~Eric
 
MusicDirector said:
I think you have things pretty well covered in my opinion.

Most times for me it's a dip into a piece of Magic Eraser before each side. Sometimes it's a gentle pass with a dry stylus brush if I'm feeling particularly OCD. I've never seen anything on or around my stylus or come off on the M.E. or brush, (signs of a clean record).
I'm thinking about getting a Zerodust, but how much different in function and performance is it than M.E?
I am on the fence about using liquids on my stylus.

~Eric
Click to expand...


The Zerodust Stylus Cleaner looks very interesting!

See it in Action



Buy Music Direct
 
David.......I use a combination of the Zerodust and the dense stylus brush that was provided with my Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge. I do the same for my Ortofon Cadenza Blue cartridge in the living room system. Periodically I examine the stylus tips using a Bausch & Lomb 10x jeweler's loupe and a bright flashlight. This routine works well for me.
 
Ortofon recommends against using any liquid cleaners or treatments with their cartridges, and specifically endorses the use of Zerodust. I'd suggest sticking with their recommendation to avoid possible warranty issues if you need their support any time during ownership.
 
audio.bill said:
Ortofon recommends against using any liquid cleaners or treatments with their cartridges, and specifically endorses the use of Zerodust. I'd suggest sticking with their recommendation to avoid possible warranty issues if you need their support any time during ownership.
Click to expand...


Well thank goodness I've used Last only 1x. I have promptly disposed of it!
 
audio.bill said:
Ortofon recommends against using any liquid cleaners or treatments with their cartridges, and specifically endorses the use of Zerodust. I'd suggest sticking with their recommendation to avoid possible warranty issues if you need their support any time during ownership.
Click to expand...

Bill.......I agree. Even though Ortofon recommends against liquid cleaners, I have always been concerned with liquid chemicals leeching up the cantilever and doing damage to the stylus suspension system. If I wasn't using the Zerodust cleaner I would probably use a small piece of Magic Eraser. The micro bristles do a good job of keeping debris off the stylus tip. No liquid cleaners for me.
 
Clean records and Zerodust for me. I usually give them the zero dust treatment once to twice a week. I used to use a brush before I got the Zerodust. Not going back ever!
 
audio.bill said:
Ortofon recommends against using any liquid cleaners or treatments with their cartridges, and specifically endorses the use of Zerodust. I'd suggest sticking with their recommendation to avoid possible warranty issues if you need their support any time during ownership.
Click to expand...

I think that is why I've been on the fence about stylus cleaning fluids. I have an Ortofon 2M Bronze. I've also read some suggestions against it from a couple of other cartridge makes. So I figured if there are a few who are against the use of liquids, there must be good reason.
 
Onzow Zerodust on every record turn. Nothing else. It is recommended the safeset way is to dunk only... but many of us push with our confidently steady hands.
 
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.
 
I use the Ortofon supplied little stiff/dense black brush every record turn and the zerodust about every five LP's. Sometimes the zerodust gets stuff unseen or adhered that the brush must miss.

When my zerodust gets fouled with little micro-blobs of crud I wash it with warm soapy water and rinse well and air dry to renew it. I do this about every 6 months or so.
 
Use the brush that came with your stylus (brushing back to front only, obviously). Nothing more, nothing less.
 
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.
 
Golucid said:
This type of Magic Erasure? Amazon.com: magic eraser
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

Neat idea Dan. It also makes the one inch square of M.E. worth more.:lol: Hee hee, high-end M.E.:roflmao:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top