How to clean the stylus on your phono cartridge

To maintain optimal sound reproduction and to minimize wear on your record as well as on your stylus, we recommend the following procedure before and after each playback:
Remove dust carefully from record surfaces by using Ortofon antistatic Record brush (www.ortofon.com/record-brush-...) before every use. Use Ortofon Stylus fiber brush a few times along the cantilever in the direction of the stylus tip, whenever you play a new record or change sides. Use the brush in the forward direction from the rear of the cartridge towards the stylus tip and never from stylus tip to the rear of the cartridge and never from side to side. This will take all normal dust and most of the slick release agent from new records. Following this treatment there will normally be no need for further stylus cleaning.
PRODUCTS USED IN THE VIDEO:
Ortofon Stylus fiber brush www.ortofon.com/stylus-fibre-...
Ortofon 2M Red www.ortofon.com/ortofon-2m-re...
Always remember that cartridges are extremely delicate devices. Absolute care and attention must be given when installing your cartridge to avoid any accidental damage.
If you need more general advice on setting up your cartridge, please visit our FAQ on our website www.ortofon.com/support/suppo...

[@arupnath3477]

Helpful tips, Thanks

[@temporoboto]

Just ordered an Ortofon Blue, can't wait for it to arrive.

[@theHeartlessNooB]

I've had it, its a tremendous upgrade over the red one.

[@Lfunk1983]

It’s a great cartridge 😊

[@gabrielglickman3756]

Best video instruction I’ve seen on this topic. Question: is it ok for the stylus to move like that when brushing back to front (i.e., that’s not too much pressure being applied to the stylus)?

[@kristopherdetar4346]

The stylus is made of diamond, the cantilever is plastic and can get warped if you use too much pressure. Use the same amount of pressure like stroking your new born baby’s eye lashes with your finger tip.

[@mikep8683]

@@kristopherdetar4346 Plastic cantilever eh? 🤣

[@madmeister407]

@@kristopherdetar4346 Cantilevers are not made of plastic.

[@HEX_17]

What about the dust that gets on the brush how do I clean that?

[@petelewicki]

Lick it.

[@JapanoiseBreakfast]

With another, smaller brush, which you clean with an even smaller brush etc. Eventually the brushes are as small as a mote of dust, and you can use the original brush to take care of that.

[@barkatthemoonlunatic1715]

So if I clean the stylus with a brush after each record play, is that the only maintenance required? No need for gel or liquids? BTW, thanks for making the 2m Red. Best deal for a budget cart on the market for years!

[@Lukas-kz4xm]

Yep, brush after each side played, saying that I just use the standard brush that came with my 2M Red back in 2016, does the trick👌

[@Ortofonofficial]

This is correct. We are glad to hear that you are enjoying the 2M Red 🙏🏼

[@moobox]

Should the tonearm be locked or unlocked when doing this? Does it matter?

[@bob28952]

Locked. Don't risk it.

[@djfunkychicken]

If possible unscrew it from right off the tonearm and hold it with more sensitive control.. otherwise LOCK IT Just a couple brush strokes.. you're removing tiny lint and dust particles.. not plaque from teeth 😁

[@beefcakepantiehoes]

I just whiped my stylus from front to back without realising. Nothing happened but is it possible that I might have compromised the cantilever’s balance at all?

[@PedroMiguel-if3ll]

But its ok to use that kind of force where the cantilever moves up? Always worry its gonna damage.