How to clean in depth the stylus of your turntable cartridge

[@anadialog]

ATTENTION! After a prolonged use of the Onzow Zerodust without using anything else I did find that a solid build has formed around the stylus and it is extremely difficult to remove. If anybody has a solution please share! If you use it with a little brush and cleaning liquid I found that it is ok.

[@chichanleon123]

Thanks for the update my man

[@barkatthemoonlunatic1715]

Well, too late now. I saw this video a couple years ago and took your suggestion and my needle is now ruined. Thanks so much to you! Take this video down so others are no mislead and make the same mistake.

[@Lasse3]

I also use the Onzow zerodust 🙈 Are you really sure it's this bad? 😅😅

[@joebloggs8636]

​@@barkatthemoonlunatic1715You are a idiot.

[@Mr512austintexas]

I have an Onzow Zerodust myself, and just watched a video on another channel making that very point. I haven't been in the habit of using my Zerodust very often, and when I did I just barely touched the tip of the stylus on it, but after your warning (and an extensive video on the same subject on another channel) I'm done with it. My albums stay pretty clean by using a DAK anti-static carbon fiber brush in combination with an Analogis roller vinyl record cleaner. I also use a dry brush on my stylus, and occasionally a touch of LAST stylus treatment and/or cleaner. I have two turntable in my system, one with a Grado Green cartridge, the other with a Denon DL-110, and after several years they both still sound great, so I think I'll just stick with the system I've been using.

[@dannywinfield324]

Nearly had a heart attack watching him smash the entire cart into the Zero Dust. Wonder how many detached cantilevers will result from watching this video 😳

[@ween1951]

Laughed when the speakers made that loud pop noise when he dipped it down. That gave me a nice cringe.

[@shb8124]

Same here I was like "WTF...?!" 😆

[@krzysztofczarnecki8238]

I think you should only stick the actual stylus in, maybe the cantilever too if that looks dirty, rather than ram in the whole cartridge as hard as you can

[@shb8124]

@@krzysztofczarnecki8238 you only rest the stylus on it, lower it on like playing a record and lift it back off, do it a couple of times but leave it to do it under its own weight and no more.

[@darkmatterfalls101]

hes not useing it anymore

[@RustumK]

Clean after every side? That's crazy. You should clean after every track.

[@anadialog]

🤣

[@joshcandelario5548]

Clean after every track?! I clean after every verse and chorus!

[@l.t.w8985]

@@joshcandelario5548 🤣🤣🤣

[@anadialog]

In reality I just clean records, never listened to one!

[@ub40time]

Too funny 😁

[@flouisbailey]

I have used the zero dust for almost four years with a Shure 97 (the one with brush) the crap removed is amazing also cleans the brush, I feel it has extended stylus/needle life tremendously. Not long ago I used magnifier and thought my stylus was worn to a nub, quick dip good as new. Remembered I had used some used records, who knows what was on them. Now the Shure is out of production I plan to switch needles for my new/collector records and my pre spin cleaned discount records. Good job man.

[@Mreger450]

Nice to see a Traffic enjoyer!

[@Geordiepete211]

I use the Nagaoka Hi Clean 801. Bought it recently, in Japan, so it is likely the new, alcohol-free stock. I look at the stylus with a handheld 60x magnifier, blow some dust away with a camera-lens blower (a rubber bulb with a plastic nozzle), then give it a brush with a fine camera-lens brush. If it still needs it, I then use the Nagaoka Hi Clean, which gets it spotless. I also use Nagaoka Cleartone 558 cleaning and anti-static spray then wipe it off with a Nagaoka Argento 120 velvet brush. Sometimes, after playing a side, the stylus is gunked up with some white substance and I think this might be the residue of the Cleartone 558. Lately, however, I've been putting the LP on a microfibre cloth on the floor and spraying then wiping off the Cleartone 558, before playing the record side. This allows me to use a bit more pressure when wiping off the Cleartone 558. Just started doing this, but haven't seen any white residue on the stylus so far.

[@AriKona]

Had to come back and view this one again. Reason: A package arrived from Japan today with Nagaoka Hi Clean 801/2 in it. Better price than Amazon. Just wanted to see how much better it cleans than Onzow, which I have been using for the last year or two. Honestly, the Zero Dust still seems to be the easiest and safest to use so that you don't damage the cantilever on the cartridge. They are so fragile (and expensive). Thanks for the suggestion on the Nagaoka Hi Clean and a very informational video for vinyl aficionados. (Even when you drowned your stylus in the Zero Dust. It was precious.)

[@anadialog]

😂

[@AriKona]

Found out why the old version of Nagaoka Hi Clean is no longer being sold...alcohol. Apparently the alcohol can mess with the stylus bonding material. The stylus is bonded with an adhesive that will become soft when alcohol is applied and you may actually lose your diamond, sapphire or whatever your stylus is made with when the bonding material dissolves. So, the new Hi Clean is alcohol free for that reason. Still works great, though.

[@anadialog]

Good to know! I am still waiting for their reply. Thdy told me that they woukd get back to me...

[@TechCrazy]

@@AriKona Can't we use distilled water on a stylus brush? That would work great. But if you have gunk or residue from playing old records then a cleaing agent works best.

[@analoguecity3454]

Ever since I got a variant of "onzo" called "momila" (works just the same, except $20 cheaper) , that's all I needed to use! It gets EVERY bit of dirt EVERYTIME! It makes my records fidelity sound really close to 1/4 inch 30ips open reel tape! I didn't realize how big a difference a super clean stylus can make until I bought it!....... ( ok, maybe I exaggerated a bit, but it does work super well)!

[@DEUCALION109]

I just saw some guy suggest the "Moongel" - it's supposed to be gel of very similar properties to the Zerodust that goes for $8dlls. Its intended purpose is to eliminate resonance by placing them on top of Drums; however it seems that it does the same job as the zerodust with the stylus cleaning, only cheaper.

[@anadialog]

I haven't tryed it but I heard that a lot of people are using it. The zerodust is just too expensive fir what it is...

[@producer_ben]

Being a drummer, with first hand experience of this product I would highly suggest you don't. Moongel does break down and can leave deposits. This is fine for a drum kit as worst case scenario, you buy a new skin. However, if it deposits on your stylus, you become unaware then play your treasured collection, a whole world of heartache has just opened.

[@bearshockeyfan1970]

Now they are saying the zero dust device leaves a film residue on your stylus (needle) and are saying to avoid using it due to the new finding. I use the small brush you showed in the beginning of your clip and a magic eraser (once in a while) I got rid of my zero dust after watching the images of what it leaves behind and reading more about it. Great videos though! Keep them coming!

[@anadialog]

Actually that issue is connected to moon gel, not the Zero dust.

[@bearshockeyfan1970]

Link : kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZWldnx-bLB9ndk

[@MD-wk3gj]

@@bearshockeyfan1970 if that’s Vinyl Attack’s video I agree with you. While it goes against what nearly everyone firmly says he shows with proof how the zero dust is leaving a residue on the diamond. The way it’s demonstrated here by ‘jamming’ it into the Zero Dust my guess is you’d see many times more residue. Most others I’ve seen demonstrate use they just ‘kiss’ the Zero Dust with the tip of the stylus. After watching Vinyl Attack’s video I hope every video content creator recommending the use of Zero Dust can consider their own research and or consider to not recommend it until more is known. These things are too much $ to actively cause them to fail. IMO

[@MD-wk3gj]

@@anadialog I’d recommend you watch the video by Vinyl Attack. Better yet, use the high power microscope you have from your great video on When To Replace Your Stylus and discover for yourself. (If you come to a different conclusion post your findings.)

[@anadialog]

I want to do that! It's on my list!

[@MrEhesqui]

Great tips, I wouldn't force the cartridge but let the tonearm rest on the arm lift and gently push upward. The tonearm will rise with the onzow insuring that no unnecessary force is applied to your cantilever. Been digging your vedeos keep them rolling.

[@aaronmendez7142]

I'm so glad I watched this before using my record player

[@micheled.4545]

Only way to make sure a stylus is clean is to remove it from the tone arm and examine it with a 15x mag loupe. Then I brush it with a manufacture (Ortofon) supplied brush or/ and clean build up off with Clear Audio Diamond Cleaner. I do this almost every side. Vinyl is a lot of work. probably the reason everyone was quick to dump the format back in the day !!!!

[@TechCrazy]

My experience with different cleaning methods is the brush works the best. The reason is dipping cleaning methods (magic eraser or onzow) is it only cleans the tip if the needle which is what we need anyways, but leaves a ton of dust stuck to the bottom of the tip attached to the cantilever. The brush takes off all the dust on the tip and the cantilever. Onzow gel I heard leaves a residue that can harden over time. The best I found is the ultrasonic cleaner with liquid. It makes the tip gleaming clean. But there is also the question of what it is going to do to the bonding material of the tip to the cantilever as it is a fast drying solvent. Maybe using distilled water might be better.

[@Lasse3]

This was before he picked up the Italian dialect. No hate, I love you man 😌

[@anadialog]

I AM Italian! ;-)

[@Lasse3]

@@anadialog Oh I learned something today 😂

[@possiblystevo9141]

another great option is a straight, gentle drop onto a magic eraser cleaning sponge, they have super dense microscopic fibres so grab every last bit of the buildup. one will last you basically forever and costs only 50p!

[@DavidScott999]

I've been using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for awhile now. You can cut them into any size of square you like. I cut about a 1" cube; lay it on the TT bed so the tonearm can swing clear of its rest, and use the arm lever to set the stylus tip down into the eraser, and then lift and repeat a couple times. Under magnification, the tip looks about as good as it's going to get - I have crisp highs, no sibillance on the "S"s, and with my new Klipsch Forte IVs, I'm hearing amazing things.

[@owlnswan4016]

I use Silly Putty to great effect. I am not joking. Flatten down a piece on the plinth, but with leaving enough for the stylus to sit in without hitting bottom. Use the cuing to lower and raise the stylus down into and up from the Silly Putty. I usually do about 5 times, move the arm slightly to either side, then do it two more times. No idea how many dips are necessary, but this most always works very well for me. Maybe just a rare occasion when it still didn't sound totally clean, and I started with making a new slab and repeating the process. I know saying a veil was removed from the sound has become cliche in the audio world, but in my experience here its completely true.

[@anthonypagillo2732]

man, great record! for some reason that's my go to when im testing out a new component. new speakers or cartridge or turntable or what have you.

[@TheGman858]

Excellent choice in music good sir I love traffic

[@WarpedRecord]

I was hoping he’d play the record afterward.

[@XjunkieNL]

I still find myself often using a cheap brush to get the "stuff" off :) Thanks for sharing your method of cleaning a stylus /Paul

[@anadialog]

Thank YOU Paul! Love your channel!

[@XjunkieNL]

@@anadialog Thanks! Just discovered your channel. See many topics that interest me. Subbed. /Paul

[@francisborms2324]

Thanks for one of the few really useful blogs. Keep on.

[@JoaoSilva-nm3us]

Good vídeo, thanks. Personally I would not press the Stylus against the zerodust, I would only let it rest on it. Also, in my opinion, the zerodust is extremely overpriced priced for what it is. I use moongel (small pieces of gel similar to the zerodust that are used in drumheads damping). It works great and you can have about 5 pieces of moongel for less than half the price of the zerodust.

[@chrisnelson2057]

I was thinking of using a couple of strips of Magic (Nano) tape...The stuff that is sticky both sides and can be removed and washed.....Pressing the stylus gently into a piece of that tape should do the trick and for just a few cents !....So it can be renewed regularly😀.

[@Naku-SomewhereYouAreNot]

There's a lot of new info regarding the Onzow cleaner that indicates it leaves a residue that's not good for the diamond or the vinyl.

[@anadialog]

Check my video on the topic. Soon I will be publishing the final results after further testing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYKmnIFugJeleZo

[@jamesrodolfo8068]

oh man I cringed at 3:48 I thought for the Zerodust you just place the cartridge very lightly on top and lift it after just like how you would on a record but wow that was crazy to watch haha :D and now its filled with holes but I really liked the video!

[@anadialog]

Yes, you are right! I was pressing the cartridge way too much in the gel...I was emphasizing the correct gesture but I guess I got carried away! ;-)

[@jamesrodolfo8068]

Hahaha I hear you man love the video though really entertaining and helpful :)

[@theman36]

I’m with you!!! I had a full on heart attack when the cartridge got smothered! You don’t have a cheap cartridge either!!

[@mikefinney423]

I clinched.

[@TweakedSystems]

I love Zerodust and Yes I just dip the Stylus GENTLY just the tip is all it takes.

[@BobbyBriscoeBeats]

I'm a turntablist, but I still like to take care of my stuff. Great video

[@violin-schwerin]

I use the „normal“ brush, and maybe once every 1-2 months I put a small amount of nagaoka fluid on it.

[@matldn2697]

I use: Audio Technica AT637 Ultrasonic Stylus Cleaner. Fantastic.

[@audiotomb]

I suggest you reshoot this video. Cleaning way too often - will wear out your cartridge suspension. Don't move the zero dust up towards the cartridge - instead lower the cue arm down softlying into a resting zero dust cleaner.

[@a.i.dimmer4616]

i find his technique too rough

[@paulknight1248]

This is the correct way ,lowering the stylus down onto the compound ,you may need to place something underneath to raise the compound 👍🏻

[@neandrewthal]

Raising the gel to the stylus is fine as long as you don't do it the way he does in the video lol. It's easy to raise the gel just as gently as the queuing lever would drop the stylus. Less wear on the cantilever than every needle drop onto an LP or every revolution of an LP that has even a minor warp.

[@anadialog]

I did pushed it hard but no worries. If you just set it down it won't take away all the dirt IMO.

[@StefanoCipo87]

Hi Guys, I want to report my negative experience with the drummer Moon Gel that many are suggesting as a cheap alternative to the Zerodust. I used the moongel for a couple of months, at first it seems to do its job well, but the problem is this gel softens a lot after time, especially during summer. When it becomes too soft and sticky, microscopic pieces of this gel can get stuck to the stylus, together with dirt. This has happened to me and it took a while to understand why my turntable was sounding so bad even though I was cleaning the stylus regularly with the moongel. Eventually I checked the stylus with a digital microscope and I could see all the moongel residues. It was very hard to clean the stylus and I had to use a brush with distilled water but it took a while. I will never use the moongel again, and I just ordered the zerodust. I am also wandering if it's safe to use the Nagaoka hiclean on expensive cartridges, I don't feel to comfortable using it yet.

[@anadialog]

Oh my! Thanks for sharing that Stefano!

[@anadialog]

Onzow seems different: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYKmnIFugJeleZo

[@StefanoCipo87]

@@anadialog yes I saw the video, and I knew about the rumors of the residues on the stylus. I've been using the Onzow for the past couple of months and I'm quite happy. Those hi-res high magnification pictures I've seen though worry my a bit...but I keep using it.

[@bpbagchi]

It is better to take off the removable headshell which houses the catridge, and slightly wet the stylus cleaning brush with distilled water and gently clean the tip of the stylus, this does a perfect job, headshell with the catridge is screwed back to the tone arm, with this cleaning is perfect and you can examine the stylus tip with a lens against light

[@mgarner1155]

Drummers "Moon Gel" placed into an old replacement stylus box (like what EVG or Pfanstiehl styli come in) works well for me for very low cost. Buy it at almost any music store that sells drummers kit and accessories. EDIT: Yea, I see several guys have already suggested this, but.... It Works, and Its Cheap. I use the Nagaoka 801 fluid too when the stylus is really dirty.

[@anadialog]

It all helps! Thanks!

[@adamdonmez879]

Thanks, I just ordered one of the ONZOW cleaners from Amazon, It was only $40 USD. I have a lot of vinyl from the 90s that I recently bought, they are pretty dirty, so even after cleaning them my stylus has been picking up a lot of dirt from the grooves.

[@anadialog]

Nice!

[@barkatthemoonlunatic1715]

Don't use it. See his new pinned comment on the dangers of using it. He should remove this dangerous video instead.

[@Schoolforthesoul]

@@barkatthemoonlunatic1715 Thanks for the advice, I did notice shortly after getting it that it did not clean my needle very well. I went back to the standard brushes that came with my needles.

[@barkatthemoonlunatic1715]

@@Schoolforthesoul There is quite a number of video and forum talk about this issue, and not just with this product. Amazing that these so called respectable companies do not do thorough testing on their product.

[@hi-fihaven2257]

I really like your videos! I always enjoy them, and learn something! And that something I learn is always beneficial, and helpful! Look forward to many more videos!

[@peacearchwa5103]

How does the Audio-Technica AT-607 Stylus Cleaner compare with the Nagaoka product? I've used the AT-607 for some time.

[@anadialog]

I'm sure the AT is just as good. These companies are very serious about LP care and accessories so I don't think there are big differences but I must admit that I haven't tried the AT.

[@karellen00]

A lot of people suggested the moonpad as a cheaper alternative to the zerodust, but it seems that there's another player designed for stylus cleaning, Vinyl Passion Dust Buster. It works the exact same as the onzow, but it seems to have a purposefully designed sticky gel instead of a generic one (or maybe it's just marketing and it's the same stuff used for the sticky hands I found on chips as a child!). Oh, and it's also half the price! Now the question is: why don't they use that sticky compound to make a turntable mat? It would take all the dust from the vinyl, and as it is a gel, it should also be among the best materials for fighting against resonance! And most importantly, if it's your thing, it's big enough that you could also use it to clean the stylus, cartridge, headshell, and tonearm too 😂!

[@anadialog]

Carefull Marco! If it is the one I know, look at the ingredients because the compound might have alcohol....in any case, if safe, sure, go with the cheap version! The zeerodust is insanely expensive!

[@karellen00]

Thank you for the quick reply and for pointing out a possible problem! What you are saying is really important, your words made me just remember that a sticky car mat (that are made of a really similar material) carved its footprint on the teflon back of my ebook reader! So it is very possible that there may be solvents on the composition of those plastics, and why in my opinion it's better to shell out a little extra money to have a product specifically designed, to be sure that there won't be problems in the long run. I checked and the VP dust buster seems to be alcohol free, and also it received a lot of good reviews. The price is also a factor, but anyway I don't consider the onzow outrageously overpriced, given that it is something designed to last a lifetime. In my case it would just be silly as it almost costs as my turntable! (Ok, it was a bargain as it was sold without proprietary headshell and cartridge!)

[@georgeanastasopoulos5865]

Another great, detailed video.

[@FhernandoMusic]

But how often do i need to clean the needle? Each time after play a record or only when i see some dust in the needle?

[@anadialog]

Both is better!

[@bimmer100timc]

That looks like the same mat I am using. From Teac. Only 25bucks but amazing. Made of some Japanese tree fiber or something. Super nice!

[@anadialog]

Washi!

[@bimmer100timc]

ANA[DIA]LOG washi? Sure looks indentical.

[@bimmer100timc]

ANA[DIA]LOG fibers of mulberry trees. I think it’s same as one you have. But they just rebrand it

[@anadialog]

The Teac version is the washi, a type ofJapanese paper. Mine is sourced, they say, from the tapa cloth tree...no idea what that is...

[@bimmer100timc]

ANA[DIA]LOG tapa cloth is mulberry tree man. Same thing I’m telling you!

[@AdminuFinancieel]

I really appreciate your videos and often use the advice mentioned. However, for cleaning the stylus I just discovered the Flux hifi sonic stylus cleaner. Maybe this is something to mention extra in a video and show the (I think) great result.

[@anadialog]

Thanks! I do have that but I wasn't impressed...gotta try again

[@wwillem]

I can imagine the gel getting dirty overtime because it absorbs all the dust. So how do you clean the gel or something?

[@anadialog]

Warm water and soap. But make sure you also use the little brush that comes along with a cart. Because in the long run the onzow does get stuck on the stylus if you use only that.

[@6643bear]

Hi , non of your products yiu have quoted are not available, any suggestions plse thanks mark

[@anadialog]

I see they are unavailable. Try searching the web. I see they are available in other stores. Don't get the onzow. That changed in the meanwhile.

[@TweakedSystems]

The ZeroDust Lid also is a Magnifier Glass FYI

[@anadialog]

Indeed!

[@peter_aka_hamamass]

I wonder if the Zero gel like material is the same as the gel like material used for those christmas gel things that stick to windows. Looks the same.

[@anadialog]

😂

[@maximelogier1276]

Is it safe to use the nagaoka hi clean once in a while even though ortofon CEO recommend not to use any wet cleaning on stylus? I guess i doesn't want us to use a lot to avoid glue issues

[@anadialog]

I always used the Nagaoka cleaner on several carts of different brands. Never had a problem. I think this is a preconception because in the PAST they ised alcohol. Not its alcohol-free.

[@maximelogier1276]

@@anadialog thanks for the insight!

[@saintmichael1779]

I buy a lot of used records. I wet clean them before they get put on my TT. The same with new records. I believe that new records (or the stamper) have a slight compound on them to insure that the records are released. Once the record is on the TT, I use AudioQuest anti-static brush. Play the record. Just one side. AudioQuest anti-static brush again. Then gel cleaner on my stylus. Turn the record over and do the same thing. It's really amazing what the gel cleaner picks up. One may say that I am too fussy with my records and stylus. Maybe so. But I want my records to sound their best, and what I do doesn't take that long. I any event, you all have a Happy New Year.

[@anadialog]

Bravo!! Excellent good practices!

[@QoraxAudio]

Be careful with using solvents as a stylus cleaner, especially with nude tips. Those are glued on the cantilever with a very tiny amount of glue and can get loose, because the cleaning solution can slowly dissolve this glue after applying it for many times.

[@anadialog]

I know that but with Nagaoka products your 100% safe!

[@QoraxAudio]

interesting, so its not an alcohol based solvent?

[@anadialog]

I assume so. I've never found the composition of the ingredients. I will try to write to the company and ask but I am pretty sure that if Nagaoka is producing this for several decades, they are not going to put in danger the stylus of their clients.

[@QoraxAudio]

Yeah that's true for sure, especially brands profiling themselves as 'hifi' or 'high-end' are often reliable. But I know from back in the days when I was into the DJ scene, most of the stylus cleaners for DJ-ing were the bad kind of solvents. I remember having a nice elliptical DJ stylus (which was uncommon for DJing) that came off without beat-matching roughly or mistreating it in any way. That was how I discovered that this Reloop stylus cleaner I was always using was the stylus killer. Fortunately, DJ-styli are way more affordable, since those are meant to be used in a rough clublive environment. On my Stanton ST150's I even had a 'reverse button' to play vinyl backwards; only DJ-styli could survive that ultimate kind of abuse hehehe

[@nasskhan4543]

Good advice.

[@najma50000]

I have a question. Sometimes there is very noticeable sound coming from my stylus even though it hasn't made contact with the record. It occurs/gets louder when I move the tone arm around. I'm sure that it isn't a grounding issue because I have already earthed the connection and removed the "hum-sound" that I used to hear. This sound more like a static thing. Is this normal? Thanks in advance!

[@anadialog]

Hey najma50000! Thank you for your question. From your description of the problem it sounds like an electric feedback issue. I had the same problem (at least I think so). I Will tell you how I solved the problem. Is the turbtable or turntable pre-amp plugged in a power strip or filter with other components? It so, try to detach from the power strip one power cable at the time with your turntable selected on the amplifier. If I am correct, a piece of your gear or also a faulty power cord are not correctly grounded generating this noise, which is picked up by your cartridge. Cartridges, especially MC types, are very sensible to all these issues that usually do not affect other components. A second possibility is that the power cable you are using for your turntable/pre-amp is not correctly shielded (It must be at least semi-balanced) hence you are picking up some interference high frequencies...change it with a high quality canale with proper shielding ...try acting on these two aspects and let me know if you have any luck!

[@htownheat193]

@@anadialog All I have to say is wow. I was experiencing this and just assumed it was my turntable (LP60X). I had it connected to a power strip and immediately moved it directly to an electrical outlet. The humming is completely gone and the quality is soooo much better. Thank you very much

[@anadialog]

Cool!

[@paulaj2829]

I have found that you can clean your stylus buy getting a micro fibre cloth.. damp it with some Distilled water.. then put the cloth on the Turntable & just put the arm with the cartridge & stylus slowly down on the cloth.. maybe a couple of times ... then you will see that it is clean ..

[@areks.6101]

First of all, besides your informative and educational videos, I Relly love your logo and intro tune (both old & new) Zero Dust is great, but comes with hefty sticker price. For more economical way and equally effective method, may I recommend MOON GEL? Of course, I use it for drum dampening (eliminating overtines). But Moon Gel is made out of the same ingredients as Zero Dust...and it costs under $10 dollars in local music store. Enjoy!

[@anadialog]

Thanks! Yes, a lot of people recommend Moon Gel. Great! I never tried it and I still have my Zero dust.

[@paultreneary]

Still got my ultrasonic AT637. I always veered away from what appeared to be solvents (is that gel a solvent?). I remember the green plastic strip stuff too (Linn did it IIRC)

[@anadialog]

No its not, just a gel that captures dirt.

[@paultreneary]

@@anadialog Thanks

[@kevinpimentel6957]

how often do you use your Nagaoka liquid stylus cleaner? I have 2m ortfon red do u think that could cause damage?

[@anadialog]

I am using it much less now, before quite often, twice a week. Now I use the onzow and sometimes the small brush and I have seen with digital microscope that is more than enough! The liquid will not cause damage if it is alcohol free!

[@QoraxAudio]

For how long is the Onzow Zerodust useable? I got mine some time ago, but I think that it's near the point of saturation... Or is there a way to remove most of the debris out of the Zerodust? Btw, needle and stylus is like confusing a turntable with a gramophone. A needle is a (often solid steel) pin with a sharp point, that moves in the groove, the vibrations going through the needle get amplified by an exponential horn. It's a fully mechanical process, just like the definition of gramophone. However, an electrically similar variant is called a turntable, where a stylus moves mechanically, driving a magnet or coil (or piezo crystal in early models), this movement creates fluctuations in a magnetic field, inducing an electrical current (similar process to the electric guitar pickups, hence the derived name pickup as a synonym for turntable or cartridge in some countries). So in the end, mechanical or electrical sound reproduction is what determines the proper word for it, I suppose.

[@anadialog]

Just wash the gel in warm water and soap and it turns like new!

[@QoraxAudio]

@@anadialog Ow wow that simple? nice, thanks for the advice.

[@anadialog]

Warm water...but not too warm!

[@QoraxAudio]

@@anadialog I'll keep that in mind 👍

[@barkatthemoonlunatic1715]

@@QoraxAudio Just junk it!

[@pennymoquin9776]

Saw a video how this stuff stays on your needle snd is very hard to remove

[@anadialog]

Check the pinned comment and the video description for a full coverage of the topic

[@picp7313]

Salve e complimenti! fai bellissimi video! Dovevo studiare per la scuola guida ma avrò visto una decina dei tuoi video! Sei un grande! It is great to have videos like yours on youtube! It's a shame that I only found your channel after 5 years of collecting records.

[@anadialog]

Grazie mille Pier!!

[@willywonka3050]

Gel cleaners are excellent but I only submerge the diamond, not the entire cantilever. As such, mine cannot clean off a stubborn piece of lint that's wrapped around the cantilever.

[@nicolasoseo6047]

My turn table don't have ground where I find it?

[@anadialog]

Some turntables don't. Don't worry!

[@Madjed2024]

Zero dust has paraffin oil that over time will solidify on the tip of the stylus and will no longer be easy to remove I have tried so many things and at the end I think blowing with a deduster at a safe distance ? You. An try on your hand to judge the intensity ) removes best any dirt or particles and once in. Blue moon the liquid brush to remove What I find useful is to get a magnifier to check the tip once in a while

[@anadialog]

Unfortunately I did a long term experiment and, yes, it does build up on the tip and solidifies. I have no idea how to remove it!

[@actorfellow]

How often do you use the liquid stylus cleaner?

[@anadialog]

Not every time. Every 8 or 10 records...

[@actorfellow]

@@anadialog Thanks for the tips! I just bought a liquid stylus cleaner from ebay and I was thinking I should clean it once a month. Now I can't wait for it to come in the mail stylus must be really dirty!

[@anadialog]

Great! Just make sure it doee not contain alcohol...

[@actorfellow]

@@anadialog I bought the one used in the video below: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKfEq2Ntgsadpck I read reviews on amazon it has a smell of alcohol, but many people said they didn't experience any problems with it. For a product to stay preserved it must have some alcohol in it. I have an Audiotechnica lp120

[@anadialog]

Well, the new version of the Nagaoka fluid is alcohol free...

[@Ralph-id3xg]

Did you ever used the zerodust and nagaoka on ortofon cartdriges? They mentionned in their bookle they are not safe?

[@anadialog]

I haven't but the zerodust just needs attention and the Nagaoka NEW formulation is without solvents so the glue of the stylus should be OK, that is probably their concern

[@Ralph-id3xg]

I didn't know they had a new formula, I used to have a bottle of Nagaoke 801 that i bought last year(the bottle was square though but it was written 801 on it), never had problem with it and it did a good job but I was feeling scared each time I used it on my expesive ortofon cartidges so I throw it away. I neever used it more than once a week, but their warning is so scary... You video was one of the first video on stylus care I watched back then, before reading the ortofon manual.

[@nickcoklan3491]

I’ve see claims that the gel style cleaners leave particles on the stylus that build up and are very difficult to remove. Have you experienced this since this video was uploaded four years ago?

[@anadialog]

Here is the answer, I made a dedicated video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYKmnIFugJeleZo

[@nickcoklan3491]

@@anadialog thanks! I’ve only had a TT since 2016. I had been queuing into silly putty for years until I recently picked up a zero dust and then saw some of the claims about the gel cleaners. For what it’s worth, I never had an issue with the silly putty, but I wasn’t using a microscope or anything.

[@anadialog]

Good to know!

[@Monkeymosh]

Is the stylus ok to play again straight after using these products? Are there any solvents or anything that can damage your records if your play them immediately after cleaning?

[@anadialog]

They are made on purpose to work immediately. If you use the liquid, just wait 10 seconds just to make sure to not add humidity to the residual dirt on the record.

[@Monkeymosh]

@@anadialog Thanks!

[@zephyr332]

I've found the Mr. Clean magic eraser to be the most effective.

[@anadialog]

Yes, I heard about it. Also others were suggesting it. Need to try it some day...

[@lenco5994]

which kind - original or strong one?

[@zephyr332]

Just the plain white original one.@@lenco5994

[@lenco5994]

@@zephyr332 alright, just use it to brush the stylus as is?!

[@lesrogers7310]

Any brand of standard (white) Magic Eraser will do fine. I've been doing this for many years now...

[@felipevi8554]

I use Magic Eraser, and the cleaning is perfect.

[@45sandlps]

Exactly, you got it! Just cut a cube down until it's the height of when the tone arm is resting in the cradle. This allows the stylus to embed the tip (only) into the nano weave and snag any debris or fluff. I made mine a channel about 1 mm deeper so it actually rest inside the cube surface. Use double sided tape to keep it in position, and it will clean itself after every side in prep for the next.

[@feliscorax]

“Sometimes when I want to get my tip clean, my stylus, my diamonds tip.” Me: What did my ears just hear?

[@anadialog]

What did they hear?

[@michaelat2720]

Is it possible to remove nail varnish from a diamond tip stylus? Hubby picked up my nail treatment instead of his stylus cleaner, it's a brand new £200 cartridge too, this was only it's second use.

[@anadialog]

+Michaela T Uuuh! Sounds bad! The problem is that if you decide to use acetone or any nail polish thinner, you might dessolve the glue that is usually employed in the stylus/cantilever construction. If you decide to try, use a good magnifying glass and try to touch only the tip of your stylus. The best solution though is probably to seek help from the manufacture and see if they are willing to help.

[@michaelat2720]

ana[dia]log ok thankyou for replying ☺ yeah, he bought the Ortofon M2 blue cartridge for his Pro-jekt turntable just a couple of weeks ago, needless to say he ain't a happy bunny 😕 I'll pass on your advice and see what he says 👍

[@fredmccarroll3476]

I use Mr. Clean magic eraser . I find it to be more effective and cheaper. I do clean before playing each side of the record. I just barely and lightly touch the stylus to the magic eraser. Sometimes I do use my vintage Discwasher stylus brush, which has a mirror on the back side.

[@zachary_attackery]

you should only lower the arm onto the magic eraser with the up/down lever, if you are lifting it up and down by hand you can tear the needle off if it moves side to side at all

[@lenco5994]

@@zachary_attackery so dont use it like brush from back to front right?!

[@zachary_attackery]

@@lenco5994 if you did that with a magic eraser you'd completely destroy the stylus

[@lenco5994]

@@zachary_attackery oops...so just dipping it up and down onto the foam right?

[@reverberateddreams7958]

What’s up with background buzz/hum

[@anadialog]

I Think I had some problems with the mic...in the last videos it seems to be disappeared

[@WingmanLive]

What about using electronic contact cleaner?

[@anadialog]

For the stylus? I don't think it's a good idea...a little too strong and might melt the glue according to which cart you have...

[@WingmanLive]

@@anadialog i have used it on stanton 500's seamed to work ok 👌, ive since bought a pair of ortofon concorde mk2 club's.. And manual says only use a stylus brush do not use solvents at all!, it is a bit tedious having to brush after every play and with it being a special eliptical it doesnt help the scratches sound less prominent either. But my use is dj stylus i like. The way it holds the groove when doing a bit of scratching and back cueing. And it looks fab on the decks haha

[@wreignone]

What headshell is that?! it looks insane! i must have one lol

[@anadialog]

The one I am using? It's an Orsonic av-101s

[@ActuMoto]

Any thoughts on the new Pro ject Viny’ Clean gum?

[@mericet39]

You are really ramming that cartridge into the zerodust, aren't you? I would not do that!

[@JohnSmith-zl8rz]

this scared me a little, because you push the stylus on very deep inside, is not risky to bend the stylus? I see other videos that just push a little inside that thing.

[@anadialog]

Yes, I pushed it a little too hard but trust me, good cantilevers (the stylus is the diamond tip) are not going to bend or snap...

[@franimal007]

Me clean magic eraser. Use you cue to set it down and lift. Works every time. Cheap too!

[@lesrogers7310]

Agreed...a Magic Eraser is great for this purpose especially when cut into small pieces.

[@JohnSmith-zl8rz]

I hate when people suggest cheap and diy nasty solutions like that, buy that thing! is only $30, o there's other for $15. Don't be greedy!!!! www.amazon.com/Momila-Stylus-Cleaner/dp/B07LBCMYYZ/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=sspa_mw_detail_1

[@bennybongosbigolebonanza894]

I love that even you forget to turn down the volume!! Now I don't feel so bad. hahahah

[@misterprog8365]

I would press the Dynavector Cartridge even harder into the onzow pillow😂

[@anadialog]

That cantilever is surprisingly resistant! ;-)

[@virgilwilliams8082]

Where did you get that headshell from i like it.

[@anadialog]

Hi Virgil, the answer should be here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pafSaHmbm796a8U

[@conkerman01]

Isopropyl alcohol and a fine brush. All a growing boy needs.

[@Drivehead103]

Ortofon says do not use alcohol. It can dissolve the glue that holds Diamond tip to the cantilever.

[@conkerman01]

@@Drivehead103 colour me doubtful. If the cement is that sensitive to A bit of IPA on a brush(which has been used to clean records and hifi bits for years) it really isn’t fit for purpose. I use a 70% IPA for cleaning all sorts of delicate stuff. I don’t have any orttofon cartridges. YMMV.

[@Drivehead103]

@@conkerman01 I would love to see a test where somebody soaks soaks the diamond tip in alcohol for extended periods. I use onzow zerodust but still have to use a brush occasionally. When I replace my ortofon 2m black stylus I will soak the other in alcohol and see what happens. What to clean vinyl albums with is another subject that is highly debatable. Enzymes, surfactants, alcohol, dish detergent, distilled water, record vacuum machines, manual hand wash and on and on. Myths about mold release compound being left on the vinyl and how to remove it. From the patent I read on mold release compound for vinyl albums it is part of the vinyl mixture just like carbon black, plasticizers and other known suspects. I purchased a used album from discogs that was in exceptional shape and contacted the seller to find out what he had done to keep the album in such great shape. He said he did nothing. No cleaning, no static discharging or anything else. With that being said I still prefer my vinyl to be clean and my stylus to be clean for Better Sound and less wear. A lot of myths and snake oil salesmen out there. Now let me place that order for a $5,000 ultrasonic vinyl cleaner!

[@dirtyths]

Actually, the way you use the ZeroDust is much more risky than the more conventional brush you showed before, when you know how to use it. Ouch, that poor cantilever!

[@Wj32012]

What turn table are you using?

[@anadialog]

A Technics SL1200G, the first of the new generation.

[@rwortman2]

Yikes, Please don't mash your $1100 cartridge into a pile of goo like it's a kitchen utensil. I think you're supposed to lower the tip into it using only the tracking force. Either this guy is made of money or that's someone else's cartridge.

[@anadialog]

I know I got a little carried away there...no probleme though, its a tough cantilever!

[@rogerlowery2089]

Tough cantilever?

[@anadialog]

Yes, very resistent...

[@a.i.dimmer4616]

This guy is rough

[@kravchuk007]

Brilliant channel

[@arncj18]

do this before every play? or once every week

[@anadialog]

Well, I use the gel for each record play (that is both sides) when it is dirty for each side. The liquid every once and a while...

[@Bigheadedwon]

LOl I just bought a $139 Ortofon cartridge and it didn't even come with one of those .10 to make brushes, lovely.

[@ph4z_]

Why show a microscopic view of a stylus in your preview and not feature them in your video? I was hoping for a bit more scientific approach.

[@anadialog]

No need. In any case here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGLOpWlod7eBhtE

[@ph4z_]

@@anadialog thanks! I meant you could use a microscope to assess the effectiveness of cleaning methods. Even though yours is probably an expert opinion it still feels subjective to just only talk about it. Fine if that’s what it is, but I was kinda “misled” by the preview thumbnail of the video. Cheers!

[@anadialog]

I understand! In the future I will do a new one using the microscope. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@anadialog]

Here is a new video with the scientific approach you where looking for: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYKmnIFugJeleZo

[@ph4z_]

@@anadialog thanks, I like your take a lot!

[@penny2515]

When you see a Traffic and it’s not Tiesto

[@CortinasAndClassics]

I don't have either of those methods 😞

[@nickmoschetti2977]

There's debate that this gel actually sticks to the needle and not to use

[@anadialog]

Indeed. I wrote my subsequent conclusions in the first/pinned comment

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

no brush came with my audio technically. Can i use a toothbrush?

[@anadialog]

Not fine enough. A dedicated little brush is all you need in the end and it’s cheap.

[@careystuart]

I just watched a video about how bad the "Jell" cleaners are. They supposedly leave a residue behind. Oh great.

[@anadialog]

I explored that in depth. If you use it combined with other solutions every once in a while unlikely there will be problems: here is the first video I did: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYKmnIFugJeleZosi=Owb7c65VGFVT0P0G Then I did a 8 month experiment using only the Onzow and indeed it got stuck to the stylus, cantilever etc. so in the end it must be used rarely or not at all. Here are my conclusions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2rSq42EgcuCZ5Isi=h6x921xQxInsiX9i

[@johnsweda2999]

What happened to the ultrasonic stylus cleaner don't see them anymore came out in the 90s. You need to polish your tip so it never where's, you can get green fine Emery cloth from a hi-fi shop or use a safety box match striker either will do it. like you normally do back to front about 3-5 times once a month keeps the diamond stylus polished no need to ever replace it again. Clean the stylus afterwards.

[@nicholasdial8213]

Everyone's a snob in this field. I just wanna jam. My equipment and records are never good enough and I never clean enough. What else am I gonna do for a $1 record from goodwill?

[@pkojovic]

All this is very aggressive except the brush. Use magic sponge. You have many videos on YT about this method, which is harmless to needle and have impressive results

[@rodrogers7553]

Make it a habit to clean your ZeroDust more often.

[@robertchauval2492]

Youre pretty rough shoving that stylus into the gel pack... theres no need to be so physical with it. A gentle drop on the gel with the tonearm lift arm is all you need. BTW Blutak works a treat. A very gentle drop on to a block of the blustuff and voila. Ive been doing this a very long time without any negative effects and I regularly check the stylus/cant with my x1600 USB microscope so I am confident of this method. BTW. I have an AR Turntable with RB300+Mods running a Grace F9E since 1986 and blutak has served it well all this time :-)

[@anadialog]

Yes, as I wrote in several comments I got carried away to show you clearly, in any case no harm to the cantilever. The gel is very soft while bluetack is a little too hard and I don't think it can clean as much as a substance that embraces the whole stylus...in any case everyone is free to adopt their favorite solution...

[@playingforthecheapse]

You should NOT face-plant your cart into the Zerodust! Just lower it into the bubble and lift as if you were about to play an LP.

[@anadialog]

That is what they suggest but the dirt does not come off unless the Zerodust is perfectly clean (rare). That is why I like to push it gently to the stylus. Been doing it for years with no problems with different cartridges.

[@playingforthecheapse]

Are you sure that isn't too rough? It looks like you are cleaning the whole cart, but OK...@@anadialog

[@anadialog]

@@playingforthecheapse well, yes, a little more gently is better. In the vide I got carried away!

[@dutchbird100]

Have a look at your stylus under a microscope to see the gel particles sticking to it.

[@anadialog]

Not really: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYKmnIFugJeleZo

[@marcusj5322]

That jelly leaves residue over time, better off with the short bristle brush dry every play, and a drop of enzymatic cleaner once a month, your stylus and wallet will thank you.

[@shaun9107]

mine looks like a mop

[@thai-stylez]

In Thailand, we call it a needle 😂

[@anadialog]

In several parts of the world! :-) Stylus is the technical term

[@AlexVinyl1974]

Cotton Fioc and distilled water, just dab, end of problems