I got a stylus cleaning kit for, but---------

I third the ME, and seem to recall it was Doug Deacon who introduced us all to it? I prefer to follow the ME with a 'dunk' or two in the ONZO Zero-dust to remove debris. I used to use a dry camel hair brush afterward (before the ONZO came out), but if I can't see where the bristles are going, it makes me a little nervous. I suppose it depends on how 'naked' the cartridge is ;-)

I recently posted something about avoiding liquid stylus cleaners for the reasons you mentioned; but I forgot to include liquid stylus 'conditioners' (StyLast) for the same reasons. Noise is always on the record, not the stylus!

If a new/mint record has been cleaned of any mold release, yet still plays noisy, try an enzyme cleaner like Bugtussel. If that doesn't help, then it may be a mint record all right, but so old that the volatile resins and oils in the vinyl have literally evaporated. Under a microscope, such a record has a surface that looks like the cracks in a dry riverbed. Last Record Preservative will replenish the lost volatile substances (and this is the ONLY time I would use it.) The Last won't repair these microscopic cracks, but will cause the vinyl to swell, closing them up, and reducing the surface noise considerably.
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Wow, it's been nearly 5 years since I first wrote about the Magic Eraser for stylus cleaning. Time flies! Here's the original thread .

Only one thing has changed from that original recommendation: stylus cleaning should be done after every side, not every few sides. Jonathon Carr of Lyra set me straight on that. It's necessary to prevent buildup of microscopic PVC particles removed from the vinyl by heat and friction. Used correctly, the ME + a dry brush prevent buildup without the risk of chemicals or liquids, while costing virtually nothing.

Here's a link to the wikipedia article on the ME which many people find helpful in understanding how it works.

Rushton, Dan_Ed, Nsgarch and hundreds (thousands?) of other vinyl-philes continue to use and recommend it. They and I maintain cartridges costing $3K and up with this simple technique.

THANKS A LOT. MIKE

I'm another big believer in the Magic Eraser. I've been using it since I first read about it 1-1/2 years ago. I have a removable headshell and an 8x photographic loupe magnifier, and it was easy to see all the gunk and fuzz that had accumulated, and how effectively the ME takes it off.

It also showed how essential it is to brush off the ME dust after cleaning, because the ME leaves little abrasive white flecks all over the stylus and cantilever. I use one of the brushes that came with one of my cartridges and the magnifier verified that it brushes this residue right off.

The ME is such an effective DRY stylus cleaner that I can't help chuckling at all the expensive--especially liquid-based--audiophile stylus cleaners out there.

Buy a 2-pack of Magic Erasers and cut one into 1/2" x 2" x 1" prisms. Hand 'em out to your friends at your next Audiophile Society meeting.

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I Sixth the ME for stylus cleaning. Nothing comes close at any price.
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Rgds,
Larry
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