I learned the hard way


I thought, (secretly hoped) some of you have had some hard luck stories to tell from your audio adventures that may have provided some benefit from sharing here so others may benefit..

I waited years until recently to try some Lyra SPT stylus treatment. The other weekend I opened the little top on the little bottle and turned it to an angle for application to it's little brush. The bottles' contents began spilling on my countertop. WTF! I then noticed/realized that there are two tops. The lower top came off when I unscrewed the smaller upper top. I just watched as $30 drained on to my countertop. I then made sure the lower top was extremely tight going forward. 

The good thing is, half a bottle will still last years.


128x128slaw
I was using stylus cleaning gel on my Lyra Skala after every record played. During one listening session I lifted the arm from the gel, lowered it onto the lead in groove & watched it skim across the record... The gel had pulled off the tip.


I own a Sound-Smith Zephyr MIMC Star cartridge and the maker/manual recommends lowering the stylus 2/3 times into a flat piece of Blue Tack, before/after each record is played. Seems to work very well.
williewonka, by now you probably know that to prevent the oscillation you would want to buy a pair of zobel networks for $20 from Goertz Audio which is owned by Bridgeport Magnetics Group.
Do not plug a 220v LP12 (which you rewired for 110v last year and forgot) into a step up transformer and apply 220v to the now 110v board.
@jetter - would that be - after the amp has oscilated to destruction? :-)

Actually, I had not heard of zobel networks until your repsonse (thanks)
- I purchased a NAIM and the dealer warned me of the issue
- so I bought cables that worked with the amp.

I think the issue is, manufacturers should warn about the possibility
- then the customer could take the appropriate action to prevent it - whatever solution they choose.
- perhaps the manufacturer should include a Zobel network in the box?

Thanks for the info - sharing benefits everyone.