Is cartridge Demagnetizing Necessary?

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.

The Sumiko fluxbuster is doing the exact same thing as the XLO and other CD demagnetizing tracks, only difference being the fluxbuster does this at millivolt level to avoid damaging the hair thin MC coils. Its all the same thing, and you can accomplish exactly the same thing by doing just like I said, playing the CD with variable output turned way down low. Zero difference. Save yourself a pile of money. 

I’m curious whether anyone here has been using the devices that deliberately expose the audio signal to a powerful magnetic field;

Yes, and you must have missed it lewm because its exactly what I said in my post above:

The other method I use regularly is the Radio Shack Bulk Tape Eraser. Essentially just a really big powerful demagnetizer. Same as demagnetizing tape heads, you bring it close then take it slowly away. Use this on all the cables right up to the tone arm.  

Another one:

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.

Pure copper and silver are not magnetic and do not become magnetized. Nothing however is absolutely pure. Any metallic impurities in the wire can become magnetized, and that is what we are targeting. There also seems to be something else going on. There is for example nothing to magnetize or demagnetize in a CD or LP, yet running a demagnetizer over them just before playing does indeed make a difference. No idea why. Just does. 

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 yada yada blah blah blah

There's nothing new about it. Synergistic Research Active Shielding wasn't new either. Don't know the whole history but apparently the idea was around a very long time before Ted got around to using it. 

For some reason or other electricity is mysterious.   

Electrons carry a charge and its this charge that is the signal not the physical electrons. The charge is an electromagnetic field. Its called electromagnetic because you can't have one without the other. Run a current through a wire and it generates a magnetic field around the wire. Run a wire through a magnetic field and it generates a current in the wire. Always. Everywhere. Step up transformers, step down transformers, electric motors, electric generators, MC and MM cartridges, starter solenoid on your car, junkyard electromagnet that erases laptops on Breaking Bad. We talk like these are all different things when they are all just the same. 

I can see Krissy nodding her head, "So eloquent" she is thinking.   

I wish. If only.   ;) 

If the signal was only in the wire then it wouldn't matter what we put around the wire. But it does. A lot. Teflon, air, what have you. Totally matters. But, why? People who don't know much say its "outside the signal path" so it can't matter. Right? That's what they say, right? Well they are wrong. Because remember, the signal is the field. The signal does not travel in the wire. The signal suffuses the wire, and a lot of the space around the wire too. Because its an electromagnetic field. It extends off into infinity. Its so strong in the wire we are able to pretend that's it. But it's not. 

Synergistic Research took a wire mesh tube and put a very small 30V DC current on it. This generates an electromagnetic field that surrounds the cable. Works great. Its "outside the signal path" yet changes even to things as small as the diode in the power supply can easily be heard. So much for "outside the signal path"!  

What is going on? How does this work?

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 yada yada blah blah blah

Good a story as any.

I use the Sumiko Fluxbuster to demagnetise the electronics, the Cardas record to freshen up the system & cartrtidge.

But for most folk cleaning the stylus and records properly would be more beneficial in sound quality improvements.