cartridge demagnetizing vs. no demagnetization

This is certainly a topic with divided trains of thought. I have heard cases both ways. For a few years I have used the Cardas Frequency Sweep LP to deflux my cartridge and have been very pleased with the results. This has avoided having to use a demagnetizer. I guess that now someone will have the opinion that the Frequency Sweep LP will damage the cartridge or something else.

Jonathon Carr of Lyra once posted an excellent explanation on VA of why it's safe and effective on some cartridges, ineffective or even dangerous on others. Search there under his user name "jcarr" and you'll find it.

Like Jependleton I use the Cardas Sweep Record. It produces solid results with Koetsu's and Shelters. IME those cartridges rather quickly become unlistenable without it. A treatment at least once a week was necessary with our Shelter 901. No big deal, it takes only 5 minutes.

The ZYX's we've been using for the last six months don't seem to need or react to it as much. It doesn't do any harm AFAIK, but the benefits are subtle (imaginary?) at best. We notice more from the Ayre sweep CD, which presumably de-mags the speaker voice coils.

I've never tried an active demagnetizer. A J VdH scared me off!

Well, I prefer the Cardas Sweep Record. I am on the safe side with that.
I used demagnetizing lots of years ago with cheaper cartridges .... anyway, I am not mad about that.

I have had positive results with the Cardas record on my Grado Reference. If I am not mistaken but could be wrong the Cardas record degauzes the whole system.