2. tech-talk
  3. 1186240540

Cleaning contacts, What first?

I've been using the Caig ProGold contact enhancer for years and find it to be a very worthwhile product... my question is this: I've just purchased the Mapleshade Silclear contact enhancer and I want to do a complete system contact cleaning/enhancing from power cords to I/C's, etc.... Should I start from scratch with some sort of "Pure cleaner" like an alcohol or something (Isopropyl or ?) then to the Caig and then to the Silclear or is all that just way too overkill/unnecessary? Honestly I haven't been using anything but the Caig for several years now (every few months or so)... am I overdue for this complete cleaning project [as described] or what? Advice on 'what' and in 'what order', would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
lissnr
fatparrot
1,314 posts
 
Someone once told me to use only white cotton to apply and remove your cleaner of choice.
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Clean completely first using isopropyl or Kontak (as suggested by Xiekitchen), then apply the Silclear. Don't use the ProGold at all - it's no longer needed.

If you nevertheless decide to use Caig Deoxit or ProGold, be sure to do a "rinse" with isopropyl alcohol before applying the Silclear. To my ear, Deoxit always leaves behind a sonic signature.

As always, use 92% or purer isopropyl; don't use any isopropyl with an additive (such as "rubbing" alcohol).
.
kublakhan
717 posts
 
Anybody know if you can use Kontak on silver cables?
gammajo's avatar
gammajo
844 posts
 
Before using the Silclear, read this previous thread http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?raccs&1077564712&read&keyw&zzsilclear
and you may decide not to apply it. While initially spectacular, it did make my system muddy over a few months time. Other people report the same issue.
prcinka
366 posts
 
I would go for ART TR-30. It is the best one I have used. Unfortunately it is only available from the ART Italy, no dealer at the present for US/Canada.
More to discover