My experience cleaning a Stylus

[AJSki2fly]

I have been intending to put this up for the last couple of weeks but issues at home delayed it, I hope it is of some use to some of you.

I have a Michel Cusis cartridge (a Benz Micro Wood S in a composite body) which has done about 700 hours. The cartridge is extremely good producing a very natural, neutral musical sound. However some months ago I began to become concerned that it might be nearing the end of its life as I noted that its sound had become a little dulled and was possibly loosing some detail. So I got some pennies together and purchased a Benz Micro LP-S, which is great.

As many say a modern stylus should be good for around 1500 hours I wanted to check the Cusis out, so I purchased a usb magnifying camera. After much fiddling about and practice I managed to get a good picture of the stylus at various angles and even though I regularly clean it with a recommended stylus carbon brush I could see it was filthy with what looked like a black coating on it. I went on to read several articles on the net and many confirmed my findings and advised very careful cleaning using a none alcoholic cleaning liquid. Several recommended using neat L'Art du Son on an ear bud lightly dampened with it, which I already had.

I supported the cartridge (off the arm) so that the stylus cantilever pointed downwards and very gently applied the ear bud to the stylus tip on the cantilever, I did this several times and examined the stylus with the usb magnifying camera, after about 3 goes. What I found was that the black gunge was VERY stubborn to remove. It took about 12 applications of the ear bud. Afterwards I could clearly see the side profile of the stylus and with the usb magnifying camera light shiny directly done on it the diamond actually shone and was no longer dull.

If you do this yourself be sure not to put any pressure on the stylus cantilever, just gently touch the stylus tip with the ear bud.

I popped the cartridge back, carefully set up the arm and immediately the difference was obvious, it now sounded like it had when nearly new, lots of detail, musical and not in the least bit dull. I will continue to use it and check regularly.

So this may well be worth considering with your stylus before you right it off, obviously I would recommend you be guided by what the manufacturer advises on likely stylus life playing clean good records. If you are not sure then I would get it examined with a microscope. It should be noted that different cuts of stylus profile do have a different life expectancy.

By the way all my records are meticulously cleaned before I play them, but as various articles say, microscopic dust and dirt will always get into the groove and with the heat generated from the stylus passing through the groove the black gunge will eventually build up on the stylus.

[steve-z]

I’ve been using an Audio Technica vibrating stylus cleaner for over 30 years and have found it capable of clearing any buildup of crud on the stylus, the originally supplied cleaning fluid was used up decades ago, since then I’ve used a 70%/30% mix of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol which I’ve found works very well, you just need to remember to put a soft wedge under the platter edge to stop it moving while the cleaning cycle is done, I’ve found 20 seconds or so gets the stylus perfectly clean.


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[hifi_dave]

Many years ago, on a busy Saturday, we had a customer burst into the shop and dumped his complete system on the floor. "No left channel and I want my money back" was all we got as he stormed off to park his car. We took it all rapidly down into the demo room and plugged it in to hear what the problem was before Mr.Angry returned.

Sure enough there was no left channel, just the merest hint of noise. Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to look at the stylus and discovered a big ball of fluff on the end. A two second wipe with a brush and the fluff fell off and the left channel was restored.

To say that Mr Angry was embarrassed in front of his Wife and a shop full of amused customers is an understatement. We helped him load it all back in the car..:lolsign:

[Ian7633]

I’ve been using an Audio Technica vibrating stylus cleaner for over 30 years and have found it capable of clearing any buildup of crud on the stylus, the originally supplied cleaning fluid was used up decades ago, since then I’ve used a 70%/30% mix of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol which I’ve found works very well, you just need to remember to put a soft wedge under the platter edge to stop it moving while the cleaning cycle is done, I’ve found 20 seconds or so gets the stylus perfectly clean.


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I had one of those cleaners years ago and it was brilliant, the little light was very helpful too. God knows what happened to it, lost somewhere along the way.
https://i.postimg.cc/nhYyMzq7/at637.jpg

[Mike Reed]

I have been intending to put this up for the last couple of weeks but issues at home delayed it, I hope it is of some use to some of you.

I have a Michel Cusis cartridge (a Benz Micro Wood S in a composite body) which has done about 700 hours. The cartridge is extremely good producing a very natural, neutral musical sound. However some months ago I began to become concerned that it might be nearing the end of its life as I noted that its sound had become a little dulled and was possibly loosing some detail. So I got some pennies together and purchased a Benz Micro LP-S, which is great.

As many say a modern stylus should be good for around 1500 hours I wanted to check the Cusis out, so I purchased a usb magnifying camera. After much fiddling about and practice I managed to get a good picture of the stylus at various angles and even though I regularly clean it with a recommended stylus carbon brush I could see it was filthy with what looked like a black coating on it. I went on to read several articles on the net and many confirmed my findings and advised very careful cleaning using a none alcoholic cleaning liquid. Several recommended using neat L'Art du Son on an ear bud lightly dampened with it, which I already had.

I supported the cartridge (off the arm) so that the stylus cantilever pointed downwards and very gently applied the ear bud to the stylus tip on the cantilever, I did this several times and examined the stylus with the usb magnifying camera, after about 3 goes. What I found was that the black gunge was VERY stubborn to remove. It took about 12 applications of the ear bud. Afterwards I could clearly see the side profile of the stylus and with the usb magnifying camera light shiny directly done on it the diamond actually shone and was no longer dull.

If you do this yourself be sure not to put any pressure on the stylus cantilever, just gently touch the stylus tip with the ear bud.

I popped the cartridge back, carefully set up the arm and immediately the difference was obvious, it now sounded like it had when nearly new, lots of detail, musical and not in the least bit dull. I will continue to use it and check regularly.

So this may well be worth considering with your stylus before you right it off, obviously I would recommend you be guided by what the manufacturer advises on likely stylus life playing clean good records. If you are not sure then I would get it examined with a microscope. It should be noted that different cuts of stylus profile do have a different life expectancy.

By the way all my records are meticulously cleaned before I play them, but as various articles say, microscopic dust and dirt will always get into the groove and with the heat generated from the stylus passing through the groove the black gunge will eventually build up on the stylus.

Adrian, this is a very good WRITE up on a common problem, and as Benz only use glue to fix their styli, IPA mix is a bit dodgy (though I used it once or twice, diluted, on my Ebony LP). I'd love to follow your example in getting a USB thingy but think it would be a bit beyond my (computer/digital) skills.

I've never used a cotton bud, preferring a truncated (cut short) camel hair artist's brush, as cotton buds can unravel and catch and you need steady hands. Unfortunately, I have fixed headshells, so the occasional cleaning is done in situ or when I change cart's, which nowadays is almost never!

A forum friend, who's had some pretty high end cart's (incl. the Ebony), has the LPS, and loves it; thinks it really is a cut above the other Benzes.

B.t.w, (hope you don't mind), loose (adj) means not tight. To lose is to mislay (one 'o'). Also, it's NON alcoholic, NON stick etc., not none (non = prefix; none = not one).

The AT 630 or whatever electronic cleaner is very good, and lasts a lifetime (I have one) but i.m.experience, unless you use it frequently and, indeed, pretty regularly, it won't clear crud once it's congealed. A liquid and painstaking/delicate/persistent brushing or whatever is the only remedy. If I didn't have a Proteus (and a K. Vermillion in my drawer!) I'd def. go for an LPS, as I like what Benzes do.

[AJSki2fly]

B.t.w, (hope you don't mind), loose (adj) means not tight. To lose is to mislay (one 'o'). Also, it's NON alcoholic, NON stick etc., not none (non = prefix; none = not one).

:rfl: Hi Mike, You caught me out, I am an uneducated grammar school boy who scrapped a D in English O-Level and D in English Literature, but got a A in Mathematics. Speaking and writing proper is not my forté I'm afraid. :lol:No offence taken, I am open to constructive criticism even at my age.




The AT 630 or whatever electronic cleaner is very good, and lasts a lifetime (I have one) but i.m.experience, unless you use it frequently and, indeed, pretty regularly, it won't clear crud once it's congealed. A liquid and painstaking/delicate/persistent brushing or whatever is the only remedy. If I didn't have a Proteus (and a K. Vermillion in my drawer!) I'd def. go for an LPS, as I like what Benzes do.

I would recommend the LP-S greatly and I know a very helpful supplier who can offer an extremely good price if you are interested, but need to do so before the EU and the VAT thing gets sorted out.

Cheers

[Made in 1968]

Many years ago, on a busy Saturday, we had a customer burst into the shop and dumped his complete system on the floor. "No left channel and I want my money back" was all we got as he stormed off to park his car. We took it all rapidly down into the demo room and plugged it in to hear what the problem was before Mr.Angry returned.

Sure enough there was no left channel, just the merest hint of noise. Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to look at the stylus and discovered a big ball of fluff on the end. A two second wipe with a brush and the fluff fell off and the left channel was restored.

To say that Mr Angry was embarrassed in front of his Wife and a shop full of amused customers is an understatement. We helped him load it all back in the car..:lolsign:

That could have very easily been me, cos thats how i go about such things. In my early days though i have been know to put the window thru throwing HiFi instaed :D

[Barry]

I’ve been using an Audio Technica vibrating stylus cleaner for over 30 years and have found it capable of clearing any buildup of crud on the stylus, the originally supplied cleaning fluid was used up decades ago, since then I’ve used a 70%/30% mix of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol which I’ve found works very well, you just need to remember to put a soft wedge under the platter edge to stop it moving while the cleaning cycle is done, I’ve found 20 seconds or so gets the stylus perfectly clean.

I have the Goldring equivalent and have used it occasionally. It is heavy enough so it doesn't 'meander' when used. I used to put one drop of neat IPA on the carbon-fibre bristle pad, but would suggest you always check this is OK with the manufacturer, as some recommend that solvents are not used at all.

These days I find that playing clean records (cleaned using an RCM) and giving them a 'wipe' with an carbon fibre record cleaner when put on the turntable before cueing, the stylus rarely becomes dirty. If anything, the most that can happen is some accumulation of fluff on the stylus; easily removed using a small artist's paintbrush.

I also think a stylus lifetime of 1,500 hours is optimistic and regard 500 hours as more realistic. 500 hours corresponds to playing 750 LPs before a retip. The fastidious can use a hand clicker to record the number of plays.

[steve-z]

I have the Goldring equivalent and have used it occasionally. It is heavy enough so it doesn't 'meander' when used. I used to put one drop of neat IPA on the carbon-fibre bristle pad, but would suggest you always check this is OK with the manufacturer, as some recommend that solvents are not used at all.

These days I find that playing clean records (cleaned using an RCM) and giving them a 'wipe' with an carbon fibre record cleaner when put on the turntable before cueing, the stylus rarely becomes dirty. If anything, the most that can happen is some accumulation of fluff on the stylus; easily removed using a small artist's paintbrush.

I also think a stylus lifetime of 1,500 hours is optimistic and regard 500 hours as more realistic. 500 hours corresponds to playing 750 LPs before a retip. The fastidious can use a hand clicker to record the number of plays.

I think stylus life is a lot dependant on the diamond quality, budget MM cartridges tend to have stones which under a magnifier look akin to a bit of coal, they tend to not last very long but are easy enough to replace. MCs which have fixed stylus assemblies tend to come with finely polished, clear, gemstone quality diamonds which will generally last a good deal longer particularly if records are of good quality and in a good state of cleanliness.


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[Barry]

The more exotic the stylus profile and its corresponding contact footprint with the groove wall, the more wear suffered by the stylus. And if a grain orientated diamond is used, the stylus lifetime is further reduced.

I wouldn't dream of expecting a top quality stylus to last playing 1,500 LPs.

One has to accept that when playing vinyl the stylus is a consumable, and is all part of the 'running cost' in a quality system.

[Made in 1968]

Exactly why i dont spend silly money on Cartridges & a vey good reason not to use MC's not that i like them anyway.. ffks it will cost me £60 for a spare styli for the Cartridge i have now which will indeed break my heart hence i seldom listen to records, not missing much anyway so you know. If i just use it once every month fot an hour or so that wil be cool..

[Audio Al]

I dont suffer those problems as all my LP's are cleaned 1st in a ultrasonic tank , Then on the PRC4 RCM ,

I also have a VP Dust Buster that I lower the stylus onto if I see a bit of fluff :eyebrows:

[RobbieGong]

I dont suffer those problems as all my LP's are cleaned 1st in a ultrasonic tank , Then on the PRC4 RCM ,

I also have a VP Dust Buster that I lower the stylus onto if I see a bit of fluff :eyebrows:

Never tried it but meant to be good stuf the VP Dust buster, (wish it was a bit cheaper though)

[ReggieB]

As with others, I find the primary essential is keeping the records clean. As well as a cleaning machine (I have a Nitty Gritty), I find using good record sleeves stops static build up, which greatly eases keeping the records clean. I swear by the Mobile Fidelity Record Inner Sleeves (https://www.mcru.co.uk/product/mobile-fidelity-record-inner-sleeves-50/).

When I do need to clean the stylus, I uses one of the gummy pads that you drop the stylus onto, and the dirty adheres to it leaving the stylus clean when you lift it away. I've tried a variety of different types, but my current favourite is the DS Audio ST50 Stylus Cleaner (https://www.mcru.co.uk/product/ds-audio-st50-stylus-cleaner/), which though more expensive than some, is very easy to use and effective.

https://i1.wp.com/theaudiophileman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Screenshot-2018-11-26-at-11.56.36.png?w=996&ssl=1

[Audio Al]

Never tried it but meant to be good stuf the VP Dust buster, (wish it was a bit cheaper though)

Robbie , as with all low production items it pushes the manufacturing price up , It is good though , Just lower the TT arm onto the black sticky stuff , then raise the arm and lower onto your record :)

[Audio Al]

As with others, I find the primary essential is keeping the records clean. As well as a cleaning machine (I have a Nitty Gritty), I find using good record sleeves stops static build up, which greatly eases keeping the records clean. I swear by the Mobile Fidelity Record Inner Sleeves (https://www.mcru.co.uk/product/mobile-fidelity-record-inner-sleeves-50/).

When I do need to clean the stylus, I uses one of the gummy pads that you drop the stylus onto, and the dirty adheres to it leaving the stylus clean when you lift it away. I've tried a variety of different types, but my current favourite is the DS Audio ST50 Stylus Cleaner (https://www.mcru.co.uk/product/ds-audio-st50-stylus-cleaner/), which though more expensive than some, is very easy to use and effective.

https://i1.wp.com/theaudiophileman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Screenshot-2018-11-26-at-11.56.36.png?w=996&ssl=1

Bolldy hell £80 :eek:

[Clive197]

Bolldy hell £80 :eek:

Wouldn’t be without mine. Expensive but very well worth it. Had mine for over a year now and my styli are all pristine.

[Mike Reed]

:rfl: Hi Mike, You caught me out, I am an uneducated grammar school boy who scraped a D in English O-Level and D in English Literature, but got a A in mathematics. Speaking and writing properly is not my forté I'm afraid. :lol:No offence taken; I am open to constructive criticism even at my age.




I would recommend the LP-S greatly and I know a very helpful supplier who can offer an extremely good price if you are interested, but need to do so before the EU and the VAT thing gets sorted out.

Cheers

Luckily for me, maths is not a great skill for communication, but I was also a lowly B class grammar school boy and it sounds like we might be both in the senile citizen category ! Thanks for the comment, but my ulterior motive is to practise my hard-learnt skills now that the old brain cells are withering.:lol:

[AJSki2fly]

I dont suffer those problems as all my LP's are cleaned 1st in a ultrasonic tank , Then on the PRC4 RCM ,

I also have a VP Dust Buster that I lower the stylus onto if I see a bit of fluff :eyebrows:

Yes the more you clean them the longer it will take for the black stuff to build up, but from what I have read just having the record on the turntable whilst playing dust and dirt will get into the groove and will get turned into the black goo.

Maybe this is why some advocate cleaning a record immediately before playing it.

[scotty38]

I stopped using my dustbuster as I wasn't quite sure about how it pulled the cantilever as it was lifted off plus I am convinced it introduced some gunk (may have been what had been previously deposited). Since I started only playing cleaned records (Project RCM) my stylus has never been visibly dirty. I do have a USB and a real microscope so should perhaps have a look at some point.

[ReggieB]

Bolldy hell £80 :eek:

As I said - expensive, but it is the best I've used.

[struth]

ive one of these.. https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/lFEAAOSwPMpeVU8E/s-l640.jpg

nagaoka

[Mike Reed]

I stopped using my dustbuster as I wasn't quite sure about how it pulled the cantilever as it was lifted off plus I am convinced it introduced some gunk (may have been what had been previously deposited).

I too, share your concern about the cantilever being pulled the wrong way, however gentle on extraction you are. I've voiced this a number of times on forums but nobody has adversely commented. One would think, with such a well-known and widely used device (mine's a VP Passion) and a fair history, that the designers/manufacturers would have considered this.

I have a theory that with ally cantilevers, the adverse pressure would be okay, as these are generally on magnets and cheaper m/coils and are probably more rugged. On upmarket boron cantilevers, I'm not so sure. Dust busters are good, and do what they say on the tin (and mine's in a tin!) but I share Martin's concern, so rarely use it.

[martinswimmer]

I clean the stylus with a stiff VDH brush and a drop of alcohol every 2 sides. There's a 20x magnifying glass next to the turntable used to check the stylus before the play. Just today I've received a cartridge I bought on eBay and it was caked in black stuff. i think the main thing is not to let the alcohol seep into the suspension as it softens the rubber.

[p147]

Over the years, experience has taught me to stay clear of the green sandpaper, ultrasonic, gels or putty, I only now use a very fine sable hair artist brush to remove the fluffy stuff and careful use of a magic sponge to remove the more stubborn stuff, and no liquids.

[Barry]

Over the years, experience has taught me to stay clear of the green sandpaper, ultrasonic, gels or putty, I only now use a very fine sable hair artist brush to remove the fluffy stuff and careful use of a magic sponge to remove the more stubborn stuff, and no liquids.

Agreed - some cantilevers (admittedly only used on the cheaper cartridges) take the form of a hollow tube. Capillary action can cause the cleaning fluid to be drawn up into the cartridge body and attack the suspension. This is not a problem with solid boron or gemstone cantilevers, however some stylii are attached to the cantilever with glue, which can be loosened if solvent is used.

My modus operandi is to clean all vinyl on an RCM, use anti-static inner liners, and to use an anti-static brush on the record before cueing. Any 'flecks' that fall onto the record are removed using an artist's brush, which is also used on the stylus after each side.

[scotty38]

Barry's process is more or less what I do now apart from the brush on the record. I bought a "decent" carbon fibre one and it seems to introduce static so I now don't bother with that either.

[p147]

I should have added, The best Item I have ever bought was on E-bay and it was a Magnifying glass which incorporated a 'Magnifying Loupe' in the handle and light, which enables me to see the stylus in far greater detail. Highly recommend and quite reasonable.

[struth]

I found my carbon brush added static too so I started leaving a finger on the brush hairs as I did it and my other hand resting on an earth source. No static now.
I also found that using brush and finishing completely onto the label did work best as there was no lift off mark

[Barry]

I found my carbon brush added static too so I started leaving a finger on the brush hairs as I did it and my other hand resting on an earth source. No static now.
I also found that using brush and finishing completely onto the label did work best as there was no lift off mark

Agreed - that is how I use my Decca carbon fibre record brush.

[Slawts]

I had my Benz Wood SL retipped years ago and it was returned with some of that blue putty which I used frequently. Unfortunately after a little over a year the tip fell off. It may be in the putty.

That carbon brush idea sounds good so will try it as the static drives me mad.

[Mike Reed]

I had my Benz Wood SL retipped years ago and it was returned with some of that blue putty which I used frequently. Unfortunately after a little over a year the tip fell off. It may be in the putty.

ESCo (if it was them) only use glue, to my knowledge. However, Benz themselves only use glue. Twice; once for aligning and secondly for fixing. A glued stylus is less robust than a crimped or socketed one.

[Frazeur1]

I just give mine a little flick with my finger, knocks stuff right off....:lol: