"Tis the season" - for static!

R

RPM-123

New member
Joined
Feb 28, 2014
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73
Location
SF Bay Area
Hi,

As winter approaches and the humidity decreases, I am fining that my record playing is generating quite a bit of static. I am using an Audoiquest anti-static record brush and it seems that the more I use it, the more static it generates. So much so that my leather record mat frequently lifts off with my records. I've seen some costly anti-static options, including the csport IEM1 - Static Eliminator　IME1 | Products | CSPort and the DS Audio Ionizer - DS Audio ION-001 Ionizer | Products | Musical Surroundings. Anyone have experience with these devices and if so what do you think! Other options? Thanks.
 
Yep, humidity, too little or too much, either way problems abound ! At a minimum humidify your listening room
 
Great topic especially for the analog LP members. Do you think the lack of humidity changes the sound characteristics of other areas beside LPs like maybe speakers?
 
RPM-123 said:
Good question. Looks like I will have to invest in a hygrometer. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Most all of the newer "smart" thermostats display both temperature and humidity (indoor and outside).
Might provide what you need and also be an upgrade for your HVAC system.
Also has features like remote monitoring/control from your "smart" phone.
Prices are reasonable.
 
No HVAC in our 80 + year old home. Still using the original "gravity" furnace. Static, typically is an issue during the winter months. Humidity is higher during spring and summer months and not much static. Seems to be more of an issue for my new turntable setup - Acoustic Signature Hurricane Neo with Kuzma 4Point9 arm arm and Hana Umami cartridge. Had fewer issues when I used a Well Tempered Versalex with Kiseki PH cartridge. Perhaps it's the difference in the platter material? The Acoustic Signature is aluminum with a leather mat, while the Versalex had an acrylic platter with an Auditorium A23 mat.
 
Previously being an HVAC contractor I cut my teeth on the old gravity furnaces. Not very efficient but they did produce a nice warm gentle heat.
Not many of them left in my neck of the woods as most have been replaced with high efficiency models. They did have humidifiers for them but I'm sure most have given up the ghost by now.
Perhaps a portable in-room humidifier might be beneficial.
And yes different materials, and the combination of them, can have varying effects on static electricity.
Good luck and good listening.
 
"Warm gentle heat" is what we like about our furnace! My wife and I don't care much for the blowers of newer furnaces. They are noisier and create more dust. The other issue is the heating ducts are asbestos but wrapped with an insulation material that has an aluminum foil like outer covering. If we were to get a newer furnace, I suspect that we would also have to remove the asbestos material at some large cost. We plan on letting a future owner deal with it. ; )

Right now, my new humidity gauge shows 51%, which is in the "good" range. It's been raining here in San Francisco which would account for that.
 
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