E184: Cartridge Demagnetizing - Several Methods - One Absolutely Free!

[@TonyHarrison-dk1ey]

Hi Greg. An excellent and well presented segment. I have a question for you. Since the new Optical cartridges from DS Audio have neither coils or magnets would these optical cartridges benefit from being demagnetized? Thanks!

[@theaudioanalyst]

Hello, Tony. Thanks for the kind words on this episode. And, as you will likely have deduced, there is absolutely no need, and therefore, no benefit to be derived from degaussing an optical cartridge!

[@stephenfleschler9682]

I used a Sumiko Fluxbuster FB-1 from 20 years ago on a Benz Ruby 3 every 100+ hours for several years. I was displeased that after a treatment, it took several records to regain the sonic splendor (too dry and thin sounding after treatment but clean). I have switched to a Dynavector 20X2 L in my Brooks Berdan highly modified SME IV on a VPI VI/Townshend seismic sink analog set up and feel no need after several hundred hours to fluxbust/demagnitize it. This through an audio system consisting of an EAR 324, Poseidon DAC/Pre-Amp, Westminster Lab REI amps and Von Schweikert VR9 SE Mk2 upgraded. Somehow, every LP from mono to stereo sounds very full, warm, detailed, fast and interesting (from among my 31,100 LPs). Maybe in another 250+ hours, I might try the Sumiko again but I am hesitant to demagnetize my cartridges any longer.

[@marcus1970]

I can't post of my findings as I don't use records anymore.. But it's clear in reading through the comments that not everyone is in agreement of the validity/benefit of such practice (which is to be expected as Hifi and difference of opinion often go hand in hand !) Intriguing topic nonetheless.

[@fasteddie2413]

Thank you for the informative video. Would using a Zerostat on a MC cartridge provide any benefit?

[@theaudioanalyst]

Well, it may clearly offset any static build-up the cartridge and tone arm may be carrying, but it has no effect on demagnetization... Is that what you are asking? 😊

[@fasteddie2413]

@@theaudioanalyst Yes. Deduced the same after I asked but thanks for the conformation.

[@spacemissing]

Demagnetizing a magnetic cartridge, whether MM, MI, or MC, will ruin it.

[@theaudioanalyst]

Yet another totally uninformed opinion… Clearly, you know more than every cartridge designer and electronic engineer on planet Earth. Tanks for saving us all from our own foolish peril.

[@rolando_j_]

Well I guess I've ruined my MC cartridges which both have played records despite somehow being ruined. ;p I usually run my Aesthetix ABCD-2 maybe every few months. I don't have a schedule. But I leave it on my audio rack, so I use it whenever I just feel like I haven't used it in a while. If I'm playing mono records, I often install a double-Y pigtail into the signal path to sum the channels. Often I'll run the demag at this time because I'm already unplugging the RCA cables at that time and it takes about a minute to run the process.

[@pnichols6500]

Greg said he's been doing this for decades. So he must have bought hundreds of new cartridges to replace the ones he's ruined. You would think it would eventually dawn on him wouldn't you?

[@theaudioanalyst]

Is there some reason you continue to parade your ignorance in public as if you were proud of it? You clearly know nothing about the matter.

[@EduardoCruz-ur4wq]

​@@theaudioanalystsorry, but the space guy is right, demagnetizing with commercial crap ruin the sound, the best way according to the rocket scientist, is to plug in direct to ac mains and play 60Hz and to monitor the process connect in paralel with the input of the phono pre amplifier, now he really gets everything demagnetized, even the speakers.