Not only is it not necessary, there are those that recommend against the practice as something that slowly damages the cartridge. For example, A.J. Vandenhul (cartridge designer and manufacturer) is generally against the practice. If you go to the Vandenhul website and go to the FAQ section, question 20 discusses the use of demagnefiers. There are other cartridge designers who have voice some concerns, such as as Jonathan Carr of Lyra.
Is cartridge Demagnetizing Necessary?
Benn awhile since I posted. Hope you all are well during this crazy time.
Have a question. Is cartridge demagnetizing necessary and/or does it actually yield sonic results.? Also. I read that by playing a record and at the same time shorting the RCA tonearm cable plugs together will be just as effective as using an actual demagnetizer. Is this true?
Thanks all for your responses.
Have a question. Is cartridge demagnetizing necessary and/or does it actually yield sonic results.? Also. I read that by playing a record and at the same time shorting the RCA tonearm cable plugs together will be just as effective as using an actual demagnetizer. Is this true?
Thanks all for your responses.
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- 21 posts total
Just don’t demagnetize a moving magnet cartridge, or you will have no magnet and no cartridge. The rest of it is up to you. I would never use a demagnetizer per se. I occasionally use the tracks on the Cardas test record which are specifically for demagnetizing. Ironically, there is a business centered around routing the audio signal thru cables surrounded by powerful magnets. Go figure. |
lewm Just don’t demagnetize a moving magnet cartridge, or you will have no magnet and no cartridge.This is completely mistaken. MM cartridges can be safely demagnetized - see the instruction manual for details. The Sumiko Fluxbuster manual specifically cautions against demagnetizing MM cartridges until the stylus assembly is removed first. |
- 21 posts total