Is cartridge Demagnetizing Necessary?

1+++lewm. The entire concept of "demagnetizing" a cartridge is beyond silly. The only thing you can hope to do with a real demagnetizer (like we use to use on tape heads) is ruin the cartridge. This is a typical example of audiophile mythology because it seems many audiophiles are not able to determine what is real and what is illusion. 

Uh oh.   

On the one hand yes, using a demagnetizer on a cartridge is a bad idea because there's magnets in there and we do not want to mess with those. We only want to demagnetize the wire. Not the magnets. Just the wire.  

The wire itself we demagnetize by running a signal through it. That is what the demagnetizing tracks on the XLO and other CDs do. The theory of how it works and the fact that it does indeed work has already been explained quite clearly above and will not be repeated here. Anyone genuinely interested in trying to understand, simply scroll up and read the posts.  

Only thing worth adding is the Cardas Test Record works the same way, sweep/fade type signal, with the advantage it would do not only the cartridge but the phono leads and phono stage as well. Just haven't tried it myself to know how good it works.

That’s why I use the Cardas test LP. Whether or not demagnetizing is needed, in the meantime you are also exercising the cartridge suspension. For any of my cartridges that have sat around for long periods of time, I run them through Cardas tracks 2a, b, and c, before playing an LP.  Above all, I know it's safe for the permanent magnets we need to preserve.

I’m curious whether anyone here has been using the devices that deliberately expose the audio signal to a powerful magnetic field; I forget the name of the company that espouses this treatment. They make ICs, speaker cables, wall sockets and faceplates, all of which incorporate magnets. Not cheap, either.


I do not believe that copper or silver wires become magnetized, but coils (as found in cartridges and transformers, etc) do, to a tiny degree. I could be wrong and would be happy to be corrected.

Here it is, straight from a website:
"High Fidelity Cables uses Magnetic Conduction technology to enhance audio signals and ensure the highest quality sound in audio reproduction..

Magnetic Conduction is a new and unique technology that preserves signal inegrity by utilizing magnetism to enhance signal transfer. Magnetic Conduction consists of using magnetic fields with the precise strength, orientation, and dimensions as to concentrate electron flow inside the conductor.

The magnetic fields guide the electrons through the conductor in a more efficient manner than with standard electrical conduction, creating less distortion and interference. This new magnetic type of conduction lends itself to high-end audio reproduction, where you can hear massive improvements in clarity and experience the music the way it was meant to be heard."

Whether this is total BS or not is above my level of knowledge, but I am skeptical.  A transformer builder of my acquaintance was at least skeptical.  It seems to me that one microsecond after "electrons" that represent an audio signal get past the magnets, they will be traveling in the conductor just exactly as it was before the signal entered the field, on the input side of the magnet. And anyway, electrons don't really travel; their energy is conferred from one electron to the next, as I understand it.

lewm

Everyone should read the Sumiko Fluxbuster manual, because after all they have no agenda in the debate.

Sumiko understands its product. While you may prefer to not demagnetize your cartridge, it is simply false to claim that it is dangerous to do so. That's true with both MM and MC carts. I know this to be true because I own the Sumiko and have actually done it. It's perfectly safe.