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Cleaning Phono Stylus- white residue

I have been an audiophile for many years but I am just a novice with analog. I have been using a Transfiguration Axia cartridge on a Vector 3 tonearm. I was wondering about the best way to clean the stylus. I have been using Record Research Lab LP#9 liquid stylus cleaner with brush. Although Transfiguration recommends holding the cartridge vertically, the Vector does not have a removable head shell. As such I've been gently taking the damp brush and moving it forward over the stylus. Recently I looked at the bottom of the cartridge near the stylus and noticed a white residue?? I'm wondering if this residue is related to the liquid cleaner and also hoping I didn't get any liquid into the cartridge mechanism. I read about using a dry Mr Clean Magic Eraser, lowering the stylus onto a small section of the eraser, and abandoning the liquids. Any advice from experienced analog lovers is most welcome! Thanks in advance.
audiobrian
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,615 posts
 
Just use an artist's brush and clean from rear to front. You can cause damage with those liquid type cleaners. I ruined a very expensive cartridge years ago using a liquid cleaner,luckily the company replaced the cartridge free of charge. If it sounds okay now just leave well enough alone.
fstein's avatar
fstein
198 posts
 
Anyone remember when Linn was recommending running the stylus over the striking surface od=f a pack of matches back to front?
sunnyboy1956's avatar
sunnyboy1956
424 posts
 
I was an active proponent of Doug's famous ME for many years. Of late I am getting way superior results using the Lyra SPT liquids. An initial clean with the SPT and than after 3/4 minutes of playtime I use a newer version of the Lyra liquid and the results are stunning. It's almost as if the new gen Lyra liquid is a tone control device. I was fortunate to receive a sample when my Atlas returned from Lyra HQ.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
....the best way to clean the stylus

The best quality way
That's with AT-637.
For those, who believe that spending more money is the only way to success, Air Tight copied it and offer it for 1k

The best cheap way
Your tongue
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I've rehabilitated at least a dozen supposedly "worn out" cartridges with a proper stylus cleaning using Magic Eraser. All they needed was something abrasive enough to remove built up residue, followed by a dry brushing to remove loosened particles.

In only one case was the ME insufficient. That stylus had so much burnished-on crud that it needed a sliver of ultrafine sandpaper and slow, careful scrubbing to remove it. Sandpaper is not as crazy as it sounds. Linn provided sandpaper stylus cleaning slips with their cartridges for many years.

Haven't tried Sunnyboy's new Lyra liquid cleaner, so can't speak to how well it would remove baked on crud.
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