best fluid for vpi 16.5 cleaner non-vpi brand?

Hi Doug, yes there is always more! Crazy isn't it? In that same vein, try some of the Walker Step 4 Final Rinse. It sure surprised me.
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Dougdeacon,

Has your demagnetifier been reviewed by any of the professional rags?

I use a dartzeel preamp and amp that sits 12-30 inches away from the tt respectively and they are rather finicky and sensitive so am wary of these products a little! I know it needs to be kept away from the cartridge!

Mike

Mike,

Most of the best new ideas and innovations in audio are discussed, beta tested and shared on forums like this one, not in the mainstream mags. I doubt the professional rags would waste their time, space or reputations reviewing an ugly, $79 utility tool sold to machine shops. It's much more impressive to review an $1800 Furutech DeMag, which does exactly the same thing with the addition of an auto-timing circuit, a shiny case and a selling price that brings the buyer some cache and the magazine some ad revenue.

Personally, I'm happy toggling the on/off switch and controlling the strength of the magnetic field manually, exactly as one does with the Walker Talisman. I can buy alot of records with that $1721 in savings, not to mention the amount I save by not subscribing to the usual mags. ;-)

You'll note the mags haven't reviewed the Magic Eraser either, and probably never will. Why review a stylus cleaner we all buy for pennies at the supermarket or Walmart. It does a notably better job than the $25-50 stylus cleaners sold by advertisers, so an honest appraisal would risk ad revenue.

BTW, I hope no one uses *any* demagnifier near their TT, preamp or any other component. Demagging should be done well away from your equipment. Anything else would be foolish.

FWIW, we demag each LP before it goes on the RCM. There's some chance demagging before wet cleaning might help loosen certain grunge and the strength of an AC powered demagnifier means the effects seem to be fairly permanent (as with the Furutech) so it doesn't really matter when or where you do it.

Doug

Well, I may have to give an enzyme based solution a try. I'd trust the opinions of end users here sooner than any vender or reviewer. Are Walker and AI roughly equivalent?

Sonofjim, folks are getting good results with both Walker and AI. Doug likes AI, I like Walker, take your pick. My preference for the Walker is because it was better than the original AI formulation (before Osage bought it and improved it) and I've kept using it. And, I never have gotten comfortable with enzymes being sold premixed in solution -- I prefer Lloyd's approach of providing the enzymes in powder form and mixing with ultra pure water for just-in-time use. As always, ymmv...
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