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Static attack! Time to get the humidifiers going

With the temperature dropping and the heat kicking on that old nemesis is rearing it's ugly head again.  Easily noticeable on most records lately.  Especially today when I went to do some listening.  I have a Hudson hi-fi Anti static dust brush contraption set up and I think it does help.  I especially like how it dusts the record as it spins.  But when I went to throw on a record (Mahavishnu Birds of Fire) the dust brush swung over towards the record like a shot!  Hit it with the Zerostat (had forgotten to use it first) and tried placing the record on the platter again.  The dust brush stayed put!  Good to see the Zstat doing it's job.  

But, I am considering purchasing a Furutech destat in the near future.  Anyone actually use one with good results?  It is a bit pricey but I'm thinking it may be a worthwhile investment.  

 

pkatsuleas
rsf507
2,445 posts
 

@re-lar-kvothe but the ASB brush is by Furutech. So was asking when you said "I own the Furutech" was it the ASB brush or Destat? I'll assume you are taking about the Destat.

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,174 posts
 

The ASB Brush is also available from Yukimu, which is a cheaper option to get the COREBRID B fibres on the brush. 

re-lar-kvothe's avatar
re-lar-kvothe
186 posts
 
@rsf507 I did not know the brush was also made by Furutech. My apologies. I own the Destat and it works extremely well. Better than any other antistatic device I used or owned.
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,366 posts
 

So the header on this thread said “Time to get the Humidifiers going “ and I’m not seeing much about humidifiers, so I’m going to ask, what kind  of humidifier is everybody using? I just moved into this place about three years ago and it has an AprilAire whole house humidifier on the furnace and it isn’t anywhere near enough! Everything is clean and in good working order, but we still spark! I’ve stopped playing vinyl for the time being, but my other equipment, while grounded still sparks and My poor dogs don’t understand when they get a spark to the nose!

Thanks all.

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,845 posts
 

As I mentioned these are the healthiest and the easiest to maintain (see pick) and one per room should do it.

You mentioned dogs, so you would have to place them higher up as do I.

I use attractive vintage bowls that are 3"-4" high with the smallest being 12" in diameter and they last 2-3 days during the winter and/or during the Santa Ana winds.

If you don't want to use bowls then 2nd best (health wise) would be an electrical "cool" evaporative humidifier (avoid the warm mist designs). 

They require that the filters be cleaned or replaced often.

Ultrasonic humidifiers needs to be kept impeccably clean/sterile as otherwise they can spread bacteria in a very fine/breathable mist which is a health hazard to everyone in the household.

They also require extremely pure water (like double distilled) in order that they operate/mist as designed.

I've had allergy/sinus problems since the 80's which is why I'm so picky and why I no longer use ultrasonic or warm mist humidifiers.

 

DeKay

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