Like Dopogue, I've used the Audioquest brush for 15+ years and it still works great. A new Audioquest brush came as part of the "care kit" with my new turntable and it's still in the blister pac - the old one's working just fine. .
My original Decca carbon fiber brush is still going strong nearly twenty years later. I wonder how they make them have such a short life span. Very interesting.
This is part of a response I received from the Disc Dr. re the use of his cleaning system. The quoted portion pertains to your question. Duane is no hack, so I urge you to take his advice.
"Please make sure that you have a carbon fiber brush available for use before and after each playback (as described in the pamphlet which accompanies all order or can be mailed or emailed upon request, also available at our web site). A CFB previously used on less than thoroughly cleaned records can be regenerated by soaking the 1/4 to 3/8" of the tips overnight in the full strength fluid followed by several rinses with distilled water. If available, periodic use of a ZeroStat-type device will keep the brush at maximum efficiency. We offer the Audioquest carbon fiber brush, discounted to $13.50. We do not recommend the current versions of the Hunt or Decca brushes as they are less efficient & contain additional synthetic bristles which can scratch some vinyl formulations when applied dry."
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