Clearaudio Reference Solution


Anyone have experience with this? I'm planning an upgrade from Benz Glider, Rega25 Benz micro w RB600 arm to the Clearaudio with Graham 2.1 arm all running on ARC Ph3. Should I also look to upgrade cartridge? Thanks for your opinions.
audiogoon
Twl Wow! Thanks for the 411. I'm impressed with your depth of knowledge in the analog realm, as I've read a lot of your other posts. Zyx worries me somewhat from what I understand you can't use needle cleaner due to a hollow cantilever. How do you clean those bad boys?
You can use the Zerodust stylus cleaner. It is like a gel, and will not wick up into the cantilever. I think this is what ZYX recommends. The R-100 FS Fuji is a killer cartridge. Also, alot of other cartridges have hollow cantilevers too, they just don't tell you about them. I never use a liquid stylus cleaner myself. Actually, I use a matchbook striker. Works great, costs nothing. If you have any quality at all in the cartridge, the stylus is not going to come off with this method. A couple of strokes on each side, on a 45 degree angle, like the record groove walls, on the contact sides of the stylus, and you are all set. Draw the striker towards you, just like the record would travel under the stylus. I've used this method for 20 years on all types of good quality cartridges, and have never had any bad effects. Linn recommended this method for years. If this worries you, use the Zerodust.

It's kind of funny to me that people look to me for this knowledge, because 20 years ago, all audiophiles knew all of this stuff. It was common knowledge back then. Now it is almost lost.

Take a look at my Virtual System, and you will see what I felt was the best stuff to buy for the money. I will tell you right now that my analog system really kicks ass.
Clearaudio's Distributor has recommended LP#9 in the past. I've used it on an Insider without any problem, what so ever. In fact, I've used it for 6 years on various cartridges from Benz, Koetsu, vdH, and Clearaudio without any problems.

I'd much rather use LP#9 then a polymer cleaner which may weaken the hollow shaft or leave a polymer film on the stylus. Just my 2 cents.