Dust Bugs and the like

[jantheman]

Anyone use them, do they work, which models do you use etc etc...............
Thanks in advance....

[DSJR]

I'd suggest that most tend to add excessive drag to the record being played, which can (and often does) affect the speed stability of all but the most high-torque drives. In extreme cases (dust-bug on one of the cheaper direct drives in the mid 70's like a technics SL2000), any playing weight more than 1.75g used to cause the drive servo's to hunt visibly on the strobe and this was sadly very audible.

The 5g Dust-bug used to slow many turntables down and the microphony of the brush attachment fed back into the stylus. The Groov-Kleen I used was better, but eventually abandoned.

The Michell Sweep Arm as made infamous recently by our very own Marco was an elegant but (IMO) ultimately useless device :)

Finally, although I use the stabiliser brush on the V15IV with the Lab 80, I'm only using it 'cos the arm isn't really happy without it. the V15VMR I used in the Dual 701 sounded better without the damper brush in use (same would go for the current M97XE I think).

[hifi_dave]

As Dave says, the Dust Bug can induce slowing and you can hear it playing the record along with the cartridge. This, of course, feeds back to the cartridge and does adversely affect the cound.

The Michell brush looks wonderful but is not terribly effective.

The Lencoclean made a terrible gungy mess.

The Metrosound carbon fibre arm/brush had a similar effect to the Dust Bug.

All in all - don't bother would be my advice.

[MCRU]

Clean your records with a RCM, keep them in good sleeves, take them out and put them on the platter, run the Furutech brush across, relax and listen to the wondrous sound coming from the space in front of you (if you system is good enough it won't sound as though it is coming from the speakers).

No need for anything else in my humble opinion.:)

[Marco]

Hi Dave,


The Michell Sweep Arm as made infamous recently by our very own Marco was an elegant but (IMO) ultimately useless device...


Not quite so. It was bought primarily for its looks, but it's effective in one sense - and that is in removing tiny particles of dust, which are trapped in grooves, from the path of the stylus, which results in marginally less surface noise.

A small difference, admittedly, but nevertheless a worthwhile one! :)

However, you're right. These things are not terribly effective when used on their own. The ONLY truly effective way of cleaning records is to use an RCM.

Marco.

[Wakefield Turntables]

It may also be a good idea to remove your equipment away from an radiators. I used to have to clean my deck twice a week to keep the dust away. Heat generates dust like a bugger, hope this helps. :eyebrows:

[Reid Malenfant]

90% of dust is dead human skin, i think the radiator will just be moving it about due to shifting air currents :rolleyes:

[Pete The Cat]

Some of the old dust bugs left little crop circle rings on classic decks after removal. Many a Garrard has a spoilt finish as a result.

Pete

[hifi_dave]

I believe that was often because the owner used a bit of 'spit' to seal the vacuum and the acid corroded the paint..:eek: