Rob, The only Discwasher brush I know of is designed to clean LPs before play, not styli. Discwasher makes a solution to be used with that brush that does probably contain a low concentration of isoprop, but the OP seems to have used undiluted isoprop, which is another kettle of fish entirely. Furthermore, I think the Stylast cleaners actually meant for stylus cleaning may also contain diluted alcohol. My point was not to use UNDILUTED alcohol to clean a stylus. But above all else, I think dirt on the stylus is not the primary cause of the veiled sound, maybe a contributor but not the major issue.
ggagnon, There are dozens of highly touted phono stages in the under $1K cost category. Unfortunately, I have heard none of them and cannot help. I was fairly convinced by Michael Fremer’s review of it that the iPhono2 must be very good, for $500, and handles LOMC cartridges fine. You’ll get dozens of other suggestions.
ggagnon, There are dozens of highly touted phono stages in the under $1K cost category. Unfortunately, I have heard none of them and cannot help. I was fairly convinced by Michael Fremer’s review of it that the iPhono2 must be very good, for $500, and handles LOMC cartridges fine. You’ll get dozens of other suggestions.