Many yrs ago a dealer told me never to use those ultra-sonic brushes for they could vibrate the cantilever and possibly damage the suspension. I threw mine out many yrs back.
- ...
- 25 posts total
Vinyl grooves vibrate the cantilever...up to the suspension...also up into ultrasonic range. I guess the question is whether relatively high energy levels at ultrasonic frequencies are more damaging than even higher energy at low frequencies (which suspensions are quite normally subjected to). But it sounds like the dealer was simply speculating, as we all are a this time. I reject the notion that seemingly "harsh" cleaning methods are dangerous (when applied properly). The stylus and cantilever have to be able to absorb relatively large forces in normal use. Cue up into the outer lead groove of a 45 RPM 12" and watch it "slam" into the 1st music groove. Any stylus that’s knocked out by a gel dip or a US cleaner or a vigorous brushing (etc) was on its way out very soon, anyways. |
I’ve used Onzow’s cleaner fortunately on an Ortofon Cadenza Black. I’ve usually done this lightly, after playing each side of a record for the past 6 months. Yesterday I used a new Flux Hifi "Flux Sonic" cleaner just once, for the suggested 15 seconds with one drop of cleaning fluid, to see if it made any difference. They say their level of ultrasonic cleaning is set to not harm the stylus.https://www.flux-hifi.de/en/products/flux-sonic/Flux-Sonic.a2b52.php Luckily I recently bought a UK first press, solid blue triangle, A2/B2 copy of Pink Floyd’s "Dark Side of The Moon" and....well, before the stylus cleaning I wondered what was the fuss about this pressing. Yes, it sounded very good, but the 30th-anniversary pressing might even have just had the edge; however, after the stylus cleaning....WOW! At the risk of going over the top, hey this is an emotional hobby too, the difference is just stunning to me on my system. There are so many sonic improvements - basically much more detailed, three dimensional sound from bass on up to the top, a slightly wider sound stage. The record now sounds so different, so fresh, so natural and the band are "in the room"....it is clearly a much better listening experience indeed. So looking back, the experience with Onzow on the stylus was perhaps akin to being a frog in water, with the water so slowly heating up you do not notice the change. Anyway, my two cents. For those also using Flux Hifi’s "Sonic Cleaner" how often do you use it please? Thank you very much in advance. |
I’m not confident you can draw such a conclusion. The sticky formulas are different and the DS Audio ST-50 Stylus Cleaner is a much newer product. I’ll ask Wally Tools J.R. Boisclair when I send in my cartridge to get evaluated. |
- 25 posts total