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Liquid Stylus Cleaners

I know that some of the cartridge makers, including Soundsmith, say not to use liquids and many of you don’t. From a manufacturer’s standpoint, I can definitely understand why - god only knows what some of us dopes (including myself) will be swabbing on there. I have used LP#9 after every side since 2005 when I returned to vinyl, and never had a problem. And I haven’t been surgically careful either. I do use a lighted magnifier to see what I’m doing, but I’ve brushed crap off the cantilever and never had anything migrate into the cartridge or experienced any of these horror stories I hear. So IMO at least, these warnings about liquids are somewhat exaggerated. Do you use them?

 

chayro
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

I use Nagaoka 801 liquid stylus cleaner after playing a side. Also use Stylast before playing  a side. No problems noted!

elliottbnewcombjr
5,483 posts
 

The finer the stylus tip is, the harder it is to ’see’ with the naked eye, so I start with a magnified mirror below the stylus. Curved makeup mirrows, I have a light coming in from the side and lift/rotate the mirror to get a great view of all surfaces.

$6. MAGNIFYING MIRROR to VIEW STYLUS (two). 3-1/2” DIAMETER, One: 10X; One 20x + 2 tweezers

https://www.amazon.com/Magnifying-Funtopia-Magnifier-Tweezers-Blackhead/dp/B093BPDZZD/ref=sr_1_29?crid=3MVJVIBL6SMFW&keywords=small%2Bmakeup%2Bmirror%2B15%2Bx%2B3.5&qid=1652983011&sprefix=small%2Bmake%2Bup%2Bmirror%2B15x%2B3.5%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-29&th=1

Next: brush? Gel? Fluid? Nothing, all is well.

I apply fluid as a standard precaution every twenty plays or so, cleaning the cantilever as well as the stylus, some fuzz might have clung to the bottom of the cartridge body. Always back to front, never side to side, never front to back.

Inexpensive glued on stylus tips: the fluid might soften/dissolve the glue, then not too often, and use a brush right after the fluid to minimize the fluid on the glue.

dogberry
674 posts
 

Owners of cantileverless cartridges (Decca, Ikeda) or super short cantilevers (Dynavector Karat) should probably avoid using stylus liquids. It is far too likely to get into the body of the cartridge, where it can cause all sorts of corrosion. I've had the coils come unglued from an armature in a Decca this way.

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