Microscopic Stylus Cleaning Revisited - Audio Technica AT617a and Hudson Hi-Fi UV Stylus Cleaner

I have officially revisited the last Microscopic Stylus Cleaning video. In today's video we will be scientifically testing the Audio Technica AT617a Cartridge Stylus Cleaner and the Hudson Hi Stylus Cleaner. The Hudson is a UV Ultrasonic Stylus Cleaner that is available for only $35 and the Audio Technica Stylus Cleaner is also $35 and very similar to an Onzow Zerodust Stylus Cleaner.
We will be gunking up both the Ortofon 2M Black and Audio Technica PTG 33 II cartridges to show how that different stylus types like a shibata stylus and microline stylus react to different cleaning methods. I will be using my trusty Fisher MT-6330 turntable to contaminate the styli using some pretty disgusting vinyl specimens and then cleaning them using various methods.
Products Used in This Video
Hudson HiFi UV Stylus Cleaner
amzn.to/32Is2KS
AT 617a Stylus Cleaner
amzn.to/3pKQ8gC
USB Microscope:
amzn.to/3FNYDwZ
Ortofon Stylus Brush
amzn.to/3pOuCYE
Magic Eraser Sheets
amzn.to/34gJyq0
Ortofon 2M Black
amzn.to/3HtUOh3
Audio Technica PTG33II
amzn.to/3sVaYfg
00:00 Intro
02:51 Soiling the Styli
04:35 Ortofon 2M Black Soiled First Run under the scope
05:30 Hudson Hifi Stylus Cleaner Unboxing
07:42 Using the Hudson Hifi Cleaner on the 2M Black
09:14 Hudson Hifi Results under the microscope
10:56 Second Gunking of 2M Black under the scope
12:44 Audio Technica AT617a Stylus Gel Unboxing
15:30 Audio Technica AT617a Stylus Gel Cleaning
17:00 Audio Technica AT617a Stylus Gel under the microscope after clean
19:03 Post AT617a Cleaning of the 2M Black under the microscope
20:14 AT617a Cleaning of the 2M Black under the microscope repeated
20:53 Magic Eraser after the initial Gel cleaning
22:10 Post Magic eraser stylus cleaning microscope inspection
24:15 dry brushing and results
25:41 Final soiling of the 2M Black
26:08 Dry brush first
26:27 Inspection of stylus brush under the microscope
27:52 2M Black back under the scope
28:32 Microscope Results after brushing and then AT617a cleaner
29:27 Trying Magic Eraser to attempt to finally clean
31:06 Final Hudson Hifi Cleaning of the 2M Black
31:52 Brushing results after the Hudson
33:50 Setup of Audio Technica PTG 33 II Stylus
34:43 PTG 33 II gunked up under the microscope
35:31 Initial clean of PTG 33 II with AT617a Stylus Gel
37:12 AT617a results of PTG 33 II
37:41 Hudson Hifi Cleaning of the PTG 33 II after regunk
38:45 Results of Hudson and PTG 33 under the microscope
40:04 Wrap up and final thoughts
#BenCompton #BensAudioCave #StylusCleaning
Microscopic Stylus Cleaning Revisited - Audio Technica AT617a and Hudson Hi-Fi UV Stylus Cleaner
This description may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you purchase an item through one of these links at no additional cost to you.

[@theqrm]

Have been wondering what to do about cleaning for a while, but after I watched this, I went ahead and pressed "go" on the Hudson. Thanks for doing this!

[@audiostuff2947]

Schön auf den Punkt gebracht,....bin begeistert diesen Kanal zum Thema Reinigung Rund um Schallplatten gefunden zu haben. Besten Dank!

[@RichStillwell]

Amazing! Never seen a more definitive cleaning video with results. Ordered!

[@BensAudioCave]

Thanks for the words! Just try to show the facts!

[@VintageLuxmanStereoCollector]

Super vid Ben!! Thanks for all of your research and effort👍👍 I have a Hudson Hifi cartridge alignment disc, so I was happy to see you demo their stylus cleaner. Ordered the Hudson stylus cleaner and USB microscope. Thanks again Ben😀

[@echoed61]

Excellent. Great to see such a detailed record of this.

[@trailtimeszr250]

Thanks Ben for the great video, got the Hudson a couple of days ago after watching your video and its working great.

[@Dirtweed]

Ordered me the Hudson today. Thanks for this video!

[@BensAudioCave]

Glad to have helped!!! Always trying help my vinyl and audio folks! Specifically on a budget! 😀

[@curtbradley549]

Great stuff , answered alot of my questions,thanks .

[@bencausey]

Extremely helpful. Thank you!

[@edyoung6573]

Awesome Test and proven results!!! Great job!!!

[@psychedelicpunkster6840]

Cheers Ben I appreciate the in-depth demonstration and review,! Based on your recommendation I purchased a Hudson Hi-Fi UV stylist cleaner, and I got to say I'm happy with results thank you 👍😎

[@BensAudioCave]

Glad to see you enjoy it! Only use mine every couple of weeks or so…

[@davidwatson8677]

Great video. Thank you for the education. 👍

[@briarboy8959]

Thanks for the video and info.

[@BensAudioCave]

Definitely welcome!

[@alrightnow1124]

Looking like Hudson is the clear winner! I like the way you used it with the brushing action instead of just setting in machine with no motion! It did better that way! Nice review!

[@BensAudioCave]

Thank you!!! 😀

[@verndebes892]

Very interesting! Going to try it myself, been in Lexington for about a year now and it seems pops is the place to buy records very friendly and helpful!!!

[@BensAudioCave]

Dan is a great guy… his stuff gets picked through pretty quick… short car ride to Corbin KY will also reveal a small little gem in White Rabbit Records

[@raymundangelodones2369]

Thank you for the extra effort of putting this together. While the "gel" type stylus cleaners and magic eraser do help, the ultrasonics really clean the best. One thing I realized as well is to invest on record cleaning machines -- when you have clean records, this extends the life of your cartridge/stylus. All the best! Thanks!

[@BensAudioCave]

Thanks sir! Check out all my record cleaning videos as well! I agree! Clean record = happy record! I review the Hudson cleaning kit on Wednesday 😃 and show some alternate uses for some of the products included

[@raymundangelodones2369]

@@BensAudioCave That’s great!

[@billwillard9410]

Peter Ledermann of Soundsmith cartridge fame recommends Blu-Tack adhesive for cleaning styli, remarking that he has replaced many styli on cartridges that were yanked off by products like the Onzow ZeroDust-type cleaners. It’s really cheap, too.

[@bkatbamna]

I have a vevor ultrasonic record cleaner. I was about to throw out a Shure M97HE stylus because it was really distorting on loud passages. It sounded like the diamond was not actually in the record groove. I cleaned it with the flat brush and the cleaning solution with the built in brush and there was no change. I dropped just the stylus into the ultrasonic cleaner and turned it on for 2 minutes and it brought the stylus back and became usable again.

[@VinylRescue]

I've seen this reviewed and the Flux HiFi and for the money, Hudson is getting my money. I have a small handheld microscope that I check my styluses after watching a few other vids on a few techniques. I mainly use a brush followed by the Mr Clean pad and then the Onzow. After checking after each method it comes out very clean, but after seeing a few other vids on the Onzow I have my doubts about using it much considering it may leave a jell residue on the stylus tip. That was a great demonstration and the technique of going front to aft on the Hudson makes sense. By the way, I grew up in southern Indiana and I've been to Lexington one time to attend ZZ Top concert back in 1985.

[@BensAudioCave]

IMHO the wet cleaning is no buildup and less damaging than an onzow... The tension just worries me that it might even pull my diamond right out... Thanks for watching

[@Vinyl-Movement]

Cool video. Thank you. Got the Flux Hifi Sonic for 130 EUR and I hear a difference after using it. At the same time I really think I need such a microscope to check what it did.

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

Hey, I got one from a different brand (European), but it's exactly the same. I've been using it for about two years now. It's a great little thing. Awesome video

[@CaliTrader77]

Thank you for taking the time to show us your experiments! I have been using an Onzow gel cleaner forever, but after seeing your results, how can I not change my ways? The ultrasonic cleaner looks a little scary rough and I'm not sure I'd use it on a $10K stylus, but for my low price one, I own it. Hudson Audio should pay you for that demonstration. Thank you!

[@BensAudioCave]

It’s actually not… think about it like the carbon fiber brush but vibrating like a Phillips electric toothbrush… I couldn’t believe how much better things sounded… keep in mind most of us don’t get our styli this dirty so the onzow might be fine in a less soiled application.

[@CaliTrader77]

@@BensAudioCave I hear you, but the carbon fiber brush gives, that solid pad on the ultrasonic cleaner does not. I'm not sure what it's made out of since I don't own it however it seems to me a could snag the diamond quite easily

[@BensAudioCave]

@@CaliTrader77 I will say it did not and I intentionally drug the diamond across it…

[@cedrickjmackniddle3861]

Great stuff

[@BensAudioCave]

Thank you!!!

[@fredjohnson9856]

Wow! I can't believe you played that record!!!!

[@BensAudioCave]

All in the name of science

[@fredjohnson9856]

@@BensAudioCave LOL

[@Dave-if5qj]

I just ordered the Hudson Cleaner today

[@DetroitStars]

Good job, thanks for making me aware of a product I was not aware of. At 35 dollars, i might give it a try. A couple days ago, I learned about a product that's a much cheaper alternative to the dip type cleaners. It's the percussion dampening gels that drummers use. They come in a 6-pack for around 7 dollars. I haven't tried them myself, but did see another Utuber talk about using them for stylus cleaning. At that price, it might be worth a test, and they should be available at any musician's supply store.

[@BensAudioCave]

You mean blue tack? I will say the Hudson one does as good of a job and I have a new review dropping Wednesday about the paltry priced $26.50 kit… by itself; not a definitive solution but a lot of decent tools at a cheap price

[@DetroitStars]

@@BensAudioCave Perhaps. I'm not a drummer, so I'm not familiar with the product. I just googled the name and it showed "RTOM Moongel Percussion Dampening Gels" I don't remember the Utuber that talked about it, but he said he would cut a small piece and place it in a bottle cap. Then, it could be used just like the more expensive dip type products. I'll watch for your video Wednesday.

[@Dave-if5qj]

I just got mine today And it's pretty obvious There is on improvement In sound quality At the price it's a must Have

[@sonlighter01]

Wow, that gel cleaner really did nothing. I cant believe it’s the same price as the ultrasonic cleaner. I’ll definitely be buying the ultrasonic cleaner! Thanks for such an informative and interesting video.

[@gregoryirwin263]

Got the at617a I love it haven't had any issues with residue like I've been hearing about with the onzow

[@BensAudioCave]

It just doesn’t do much for ne

[@andymill32]

For those living in Europe the Dynavox HDC -50 is exactly the same, I got it for 40 euros including delivery to Ireland from web spare parts in Portugal, its great does a fantastic job.

[@acodsw8813]

Dynavox HFC-50

[@zulumax1]

Out of all the devices I would have to say the USB microscope was the best investment I have made. Less than $20 and you can inspect your own stylus and judge results you get, not to mention discerning any damage to the tip or cantilever that might have gone unnoticed. I have found that one cleaning method alone is not enough. I use a lens cleaning brush with an air puffer, or a rubber bulb with a Teflon nozzle to blow the longer filaments away that can get wrapped around the stylus. It is also good for blowing debris off of the top of the cantilever as well. My go to brush is the pig bristle brush which was made by Discwasher with the drop of SC2 sytlus cleaner. Magic eraser works ok for the stylus tip, but not very effective on the cantilever.

[@BensAudioCave]

I have a bunch of different devices including the lens brush and bulbs that I tried… to me for deep cleaning the Hudson UV does an excellent job… sticky pads are not my forté… I really wish I still had my vintage discwasher stylus brush but it was thrown away years ago and no I feel like a chump… 😑

[@tonyvtc3]

I have that Ultra sonic stylus cleaner and i can hear at times the difference between dirty and clean. I also sonic clean my vinyls with the Vevor digital sonic cleaner.

[@rpg896]

Very nice comparison video. So, will the (new) ultrasonic’s brush in time be as dirty as the regular carbon fiber brush and produce the same dirty results?

[@BensAudioCave]

They were all cleaned with an air gun and alcohol so none were dirty but it hasn’t yet… here is my air gun that is an absolute necessity IMHO amzn.to/3X0ELzC

[@dell177]

Great demonstration. You realize this means the price of the Hudson Hi Stylus Cleaner isd going up!

[@BensAudioCave]

That would actually be amusing to think… LOLz 😂 but I don’t think I have that much influence 🤪 Thanks for the feedback! 😀

[@careystuart]

I've been seeing a lot of negative reviews on the Jell type cleaners. They supposedly leave a sticky residue behind, and after time it builds up and is almost impossible to remove. It seems very probable. I bought the Hudson version of the Zero dust. I'm going to check out the Hudson UV/ Ultrasonic one, but I'm staying away from the Jell. (did Amazon have it?). Great video, thanks!!

[@careystuart]

I just bought the Ultrasonic one from Amazon 25 beans + tax. I'm using a Shure V15 type 3 with a Jico SAS boron stylus. They ain't cheap, but they "Shure" sound sweet. Pardon my pun. Cheers!

[@TuneHead]

Great vid. Ty. One drawback with the ultrasonic is, its "ultra SONIC" can possibly destroy your cantilever over time. Just think, its sonicly vibrating your very sensative thin tube (cantilever) and could wreck it and the magnet and coil. Maybe not, but a concern i instantly thought of. Also, ultrasonic is used mainly for "separating"objuects from one another (your diamond fom its cantilever?). Aside from this possible negative, it looks very promising.

[@BensAudioCave]

Well good news… it’s not ultrasonic… it’s 330Hz… it’s a gentle vibration… That said; I don’t use it everyday… it’s more of a monthly or weekly thing… no trouble in 3 years with an AT33PTG/2 which is a boron cantilever moving coil… thanks so much for watching!

[@TrancEuphoria_]

Hello, that Hudson Hi-Fi is not available for shipping in France :/ thanks for your video anyway

[@SgtMjr]

What is in the Hudson stylus cleaner fluid? Formulation? Is there alcohol?

[@michaelkeeling4385]

Hudson cleaner no available at my location but i just ordered dynavox htc 50 from Germany which locks identical price 55 euros

[@jim_wicks]

Hi, officially or not - I'm really glad you revisited this issue. I had just finished reading a 2019 article that Michael Fremer put out on how to use a USB Digital Microscope to set 92 Degree Stylus Rake Angle (SRA). I followed that by watching this video. The video I watched after yours was hosted by a man who used an ultrasonic cleaning bath to clean his stylus. So clearly, my RSS feed was stacked in favor of microscopes, stylus, and cleaning. What model of TAKMLY microscope do you use? And does the plastic shield at the nose come off, or did you have to customize it to get really close up? Cool channel. Have now subscribed. Cheers, J

[@BensAudioCave]

I will add a link and yes the shroud does come off… it’s really “an inspection camera” but I have found using some sort of white backdrop helps immensely… Thanks for the kind words about my channel! Here is your link: Wireless Digital Microscope Handheld USB HD Inspection Camera 50x-1000x Magnification with Stand Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, Android amzn.to/3dOxw8F

[@jim_wicks]

@@BensAudioCave thanks Ben

[@biketech60]

I suggest it would be better to place the Hudson on the immobile plinth or a solid block set upon the plinth . The movement of the platter while cleaning could bend the cantilever .Safety

[@raaawkstaaar]

unplug and no worries, some use wedges underneath the platter...it's really no need if the platter is unplugged...you're literally only using it for 5 seconds...not that hard to keep a steady hand and eye

[@kevinpimentel6957]

do u still use the Hudson hifi cleaner to this day ?

[@jimmyzowens]

Great stuff !! Ordering now. I’m curious if you put tape over the light if it still would perform the same?? I’m assuming yes as the vibration is the key here in my opinion.

[@BensAudioCave]

Don’t know but I’ll test and see

[@rael2099]

The UV light has a different purpose than the ultrasonic vibrations that is to kill bacteria and fungus that might come from a vinyl record with mold, or from the environment.

[@BensAudioCave]

@@rael2099 yes I realize this… don’t know how actually beneficial it is, though… thanks for watching!

[@louiesipes2257]

Peter Lederman of Soundsmith recommends Blu Tac.

[@BensAudioCave]

At ok stuff is I’ll advised period from my view

[@nickrogers241]

Doesn’t ortofon say not to wet clean the stylus? Do you think this method would be all right to use on the blue without damaging it? Would love to try it. Great video.

[@BensAudioCave]

Every manufacturer has different things they say… this liquid won’t dissolve the glue on the nude diamond… this is a 2M Black which quite more expensive than the blue (although mounted the same) I would tell you after at least 1.5 years of using this about once a week on all my styli and outside of this wet cleaning when needed for the past 5 years; the glue hasn’t loosened and the stylus is near the end of useful life (likely way over 1000 hours) with 0 issues… a clean stylus will always have the advantage as will the records! Happy listening!!! 😃

[@nickrogers241]

Thanks for the quick reply. Happy listening as well. I look forward to watching your videos.

[@freddietee1225]

What do you have wrapped around your tone-arm, and why ?

[@BensAudioCave]

On the fisher? It’s Teflon tape from the plumbing section at lowes… it was an experiment years ago and added little appreciable effective mass and did cut down resonance… just kind of left it on there… the technics has nothing on it… the largest resonance points on it were addressed via an internal sleeve and making sure the aux weight is on or the cap from KAB is attached

[@neilgaydon5430]

Studies show with gel cleaners over time they develop a film on the stylus tip that’s extremely difficult to remove. With the Hudson hope the liquid doesn’t splash into the coils?

[@BensAudioCave]

I don’t generally use the gel and definitely not in a prolonged fashion… never any issues with moisture in the coils… also it’s an experiment… but I generally use a stylus brush and deep clean about once a week… with my record cleaning method; my styli are generally not very dirty at all… LOLz 😂 I tried hard to get these bad off 😀

[@neilgaydon5430]

@@BensAudioCave it was a great piece of work Ben, thank you. The Hudson looks great. Linn (as in Linn Sondek LP12 which I use) are great believers in green paper ie extremely fine glass paper as they say the tip gets extremely hot melting gunk onto the tip and to avoid liquid cleaners which can make their way into the cartridge. Might be worth trying some in a similar experiment.

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

A good stylus cleaning brush, with a drop of cleaner, and a gentle blast of air has served me well for years. None of the new “short cuts” are any better or cheaper.

[@BensAudioCave]

I wet clean as well but not every play… also the canned air is scary because of flash and well the boron cantilever of my PTG33 is delicate… I do use a variable speed electric duster instead but from the rear… here is a link amzn.to/460EvEV

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

@@BensAudioCave Yep, I might only use the fluid every 5th or 6th time, otherwise, it's just dry. Always gentle with the canned air. I never shake or hold sideways and only from behind the stylus.

[@louiesipes2257]

Pops😊 I live in Nichvegas😊

[@MaterLacrymarum]

It's really odd that I can't find a provider of that ultrasonic option in the UK. Looks good! have you stuck with it?

[@BensAudioCave]

Well it’s 222Hz I found out so it isn’t exactly ultrasonic but I use it about once a week… my records are pretty clean so no much ever on my stylus… can you not get it from Amazon?

[@MaterLacrymarum]

@@BensAudioCave Can't find it on Amazon.co.uk. Strange. Can't even find them on Ebay! I buy a lot of used Vinyl, and some of it is far from clean. So I have to deal with cleaning the stylus once after every side of play sometimes. Of course, I have a cleaning process here which helps a lot. But still...... Anyway, thanks for your video.

[@BensAudioCave]

@@MaterLacrymarum you might be able to order it directly from here: www.hudsonhifi.com/products/hudson-hi-fi-turntable-uv-stylus-cleaner-vinyl-cleaning-vinyl-stylus-needle-cleaner-for-turntable-record-player-anti-static-needle-cleaner-for-turntable-accessories?_pos=1&_sid=2b8391f87&_ss=r Also check out my record cleaning videos.. the dollar bin is my best friend… and honestly I find many older records are less dirty than the new ones I buy

[@MaterLacrymarum]

@@BensAudioCave Thanks for that. Don't get me started on new records. I've had some bad experiences recently. For example, I bought an absolutely pristine album on vinyl - visually mint. But when I played it the surface noise was off the charts. Another example are a couple Tangerine Dream releases. The covers are atrocious. Blurred scans of the original, ditched the original gatefold, and used thin card stock. Just horrible.

[@andymill32]

@@MaterLacrymarum see my post above, Dynavox HFC-50 exactly he same just a diiferent name. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJvddGVnrJljb6s

[@pacinganimal]

Have you tried the Hudson Hi-Fi without using the cleaning fluid?

[@BensAudioCave]

I have and it does a good job but about anything ultrasonic should be used wet… it’s not really all that wet either… drop or two will do it… brush is pretty stiff

[@skinned66]

Too bad you don't make a commission, you've made a sale. The 👍will have to do.

[@BensAudioCave]

The link’s are affiliate links… I do make a small commission…

[@JudgeDrokk]

Hey there! - Are you still happy with this product? I am looking to get one. Can you clean the little pad? Also is the liquid the same as you can clean records with, such as a cloth of velvet pad.?

[@BensAudioCave]

I still use it once every week or two for deep cleaning… believe it or not I catch myself using the AT sticky pad quite often and still no build up… the level of filth I put on that stylus should never really happen in reality… it was for science… I recommend both those products very highly!

[@JudgeDrokk]

@@BensAudioCave Thanks for that advice - I have a new Audio Technica player and a vintage 1970s 'Hacker' Grenadier player. So the money I save on the Hudson ultrasonic (compared to other expensive but surely more-or-less-the same product) could buy an AT sticky too. I'm nervous about using an Ultraconic on the vintage player still, though.

[@BensAudioCave]

@@JudgeDrokk don’t be… I use this on a 600 AT cart and a $750 Ortofon 2M Black…

[@JudgeDrokk]

@@BensAudioCave That's very reassuring - thanks! One thing I wondered, do you know if there's a difference to to, say, the liquid you get with a stylus cleaner such as the Husdon, and the liquid you get with a record/L.P cleaner? The kind of liquid you spray across a record surface and wipe or vacum off? Thanks!

[@BensAudioCave]

@@JudgeDrokk yes it is different because of the surfactant… but you can also make it… still have my original and Hudson sells refills

[@samiam247]

Ultra noob question, is compressed air not used to clean a stylus?

[@BensAudioCave]

I have a variable speed electric duster but generally only use it on lowest to dry the assembly… here is why it’s a BAD idea: Cantilevers and suspension are delicate; you could damage with canned air Sometimes liquid is expelled… the flash can damage the cart, suspension, and cantilever or even just leave residue It’s not even really that effective… always clean back to front… spray air in front or from the side; and you’re asking for it… I always do it from behind pointing forward with the electric device and if you attempt the same with canned air; you’ll likely spray it with propellant

[@samiam247]

@@BensAudioCave Great advice, and thanks for the time you put into your testing, I just ordered the Hudson thanks to you, keep up the great work

[@peterrech2307]

The onzow and other gel cleaners leave a buildup of hard residue on stylus that is regularly cleaned with the goop. the ultrasonic is the best and safest. I dont know about the Hudson unit but i have an AT-637 ultrasonic unit which works brilliantly. Tried the super expensive Flux unit it was no better than the AT-637,

[@BensAudioCave]

Yeah the Hudson unit works well… I don’t generally use gel cleaners but hey… also the buildup of different models is cumulative and if you do a wet or ultrasonic clean often enough; I think it may mitigate things a bit… I know there was an article circulating flaming the onzow; but not so sure it was completely objective… after 4 years of use; yeah I can see it… but maybe not so much if you use other methods as well 😃

[@peterrech2307]

@@BensAudioCave I food industry scientist thst i know who is a huge classical music collector and runs a 20k Koetsu cart on a Kronos table called me a while ago saying his sound had dulled when playing records. I went to his house, listened and yes it was lifeless. I pulled the cart off, we went to his lab where he has an electron microscope looked at the stylus and found a massive buildup of hard gunk on the stylus. Went to my house, used my AT-637 ultrasonic cleaner to blast of the gunk, took a bit but it broke away. he took the gunk to work put it under the EM and it was like some sort of polymer. The onzow unit went into bin and he bought the Flux U/S unit. Has not had any probs since. I only use my AT-637 which has always cleaned my stylus brilliantly. I also have an old but good original Diswasher SC-2 stylus brush which is good to. As for the Magic Eraser, you would be better off going to the hardware and buying a chem free melamine pad and using it instead of the Magic Eraser which has cleaning chems and does not like getting wet. I think i will get a Hudson unit just to see how it works against the AT unit. The Flux unit is far to expensive in Australia. Take care, stay well.

[@peterrech2307]

Sorry for a couple of typos, my laptop has been possessed by some gremlins who hate me and like changing the words i type after i send them..........I will kill the Dell junker soon.

[@thevintagehifiambassador8524]

hope the Hudson does not crack it down after cleaning 50x the stylus

[@BensAudioCave]

????

[@thevintagehifiambassador8524]

not only possible hum but I just read that risk that the diamond goes off or gets a static problem is not yet completely impossible, I better not risk it with mine.

[@BensAudioCave]

@@thevintagehifiambassador8524 I use it maybe once or twice a week just 220Hz… normally brushing not damaged anything yet

[@thevintagehifiambassador8524]

@@BensAudioCave glad for you, hope that stays true for many years, fantastic microscope and of course amazing result after Hudson sonic. No risk no fun, except for a stylus worth 300 Usd :-)

[@billhennigan3773]

doing that to a $1000.00 needle made me cry..I have bronze and blue..Throw away the gel as it puts stuff on the needle..A good clean quality brush is all we need..

[@BensAudioCave]

The Black stylus was close to the end of the lifecycle... and honestly it pales in comparison to the AT33PTG/2... The AT 617a is much better to me than the others and honestly I use it vs brushing with an ultrasonic clean about every 2 weeks.

[@Vintageelectronics2296]

Use some water and a stylus brush that is all I Use and cleans better than anything I have used

[@Labor_Jones]

Putting a Needle into the groove of a moving Record according to experts that *slicing through water in record heats up the both the groove, and needle to extreme heat.* I don't remember the exact temperature, but several hundred and that heat is probably why you are getting Vinyl on those Turntable Needles. *2nd even though it's small an ultrasonic* (vibrating pad with brushes and solution) is like a WASHING Machine delicate enough to clean.

[@paulmalbeuf9213]

Hey Ben! The Hudson Hifi unit looks very similar to this old Audio Technica unit that I saw on AGK’s vinyl channel. Here is the link - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5qYYZWMfKacg7c. They both do a great job. I don’t know why Audio Technica stop selling them.

[@BensAudioCave]

It is but only $35 and still available. Thanks for watching’

[@clintlaitouale8380]

Main learning here is that I should by a microscope !

[@BensAudioCave]

There’s a link 😂

[@clintlaitouale8380]

@@BensAudioCave Bought one . .not exactly the same but about same price & chinese crap origin .. It is a nightmare to get the focus !! And I do not zoom as much as you are. Looks like you removed the transparent plastic part to be closer

[@BensAudioCave]

@@clintlaitouale8380 here are the tricks: 1. Use a piece of something white behind what you are magnifying… for my styli; I use a magic eraser sheet stapled around a record brush 2. Set the wheel statically… if you try to focus and zoom with it; you’ll never get clear… instead move the scope with your hand and rest it on something or use the stand 3. Remove the clear piece from the front… many times you need to be closer to the subject that it allows… you can just twist and pull… they are all just pressed in 4. The full zoom in is often not useful… somewhere between 1/2 and 3/4 on the dial will get you really close… use a combo of the dial and manual movement… if it is is a repetitive task (like stylus inspection on the arm) you’ll start to learn what settings and placement work quickly and it will become easy 5. Practice makes perfect! Just don’t give up… the cheap equipment is all about the same… also I use usb to a laptop for a bigger screen and in the main room it’s attached to a 50” tv so I can make sure I got the stylus clean Hope this helps!

[@taketimeout2share]

I use a Childs toothbrush, or a well used adult toothbrush which has become much softer. Of course the Childs one is unused and the used one completely cleaned. I am assuming people can understand this is a given. A brush that is soft and which can be cleaned is what is required. Yes you can spend sensible money or stupid money if you want to but a brush is a brush, although not all brushes are suitable.

[@BensAudioCave]

Let’s be clear… I use a record brush amongst a whole host of other for normal cleaning… I will treat my stylus to a cleaning with the Hudson about every month or so… I keep the usb scope hooked up to a pc connected to the TV and clean it with a brush before dropping it into the groove… just so I can see

[@joemartin6439]

I totally dislike jelly cleaner that leave bit that hardens jell quid safeon my stylus . I like to used a liquid safe clean alcohol free liquid

[@BensAudioCave]

You can do that with the Hudson cleaner… the at sticky stuff leaves little to no residue unlike the onzow or blue tack methods… been using the combo for a long time now and I have nothing but music from my AT33PTG/2

[@hifitommy]

Ben, great job here and on your other YTs. let me say first that i feel the gel products can leave a residue and i believe one of the community of YTers has stated as such with proof (perhaps microscopic); Fremer maybe? WELL...i found a reference that included Michael Fremer's stance and others: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZWldnx-bLB9ndk now for my method for ME: 1. first i looked at the unclean stylus with a handheld 40x microscope that used to be sold everywhere they sold styli and cartridges. a small black cylinder with chrome threaded eyepiece end and viewing end which also had a threaded angled insert that i always removed for fear of damaging the stylus/cantilever. it is an acquired skill because when you move right, the image moves left. move up, it goes down. also, you must learn to steady one hand with the other. 2. it was dirty (not as much as the one you gunked up, though) so i dry brushed it off with a camel hair paintbrush and looked at it again: better but not good enough. 3. i used a dry Discwasher SC2 stylus brush, looked again, better by a lot but still... 4. i moistened the pad of the sc2 a little with the AT607a liquid and brushed again...a lot better again BUT... 5.i used the dip method with the ME and when i looked it was a BEAUTIFUL, crystalline square shank AT ML diamond that was breathtaking. so your progressive method of cleaning and inspecting is pretty much spot on what i did with some minor differences, the main one being that i wouldn't use any of the gels or clay (poster putty) to avoid residue deposit. the Hudson vibrating cleaner seems viable so i may get one. one thing i suggest is when you use the vibrating cleaner or the ME is to use painter's tape to anchor the platter for NO chance of movement while cleaning. that would go for using a protractor as well. ...hifitommy

[@BensAudioCave]

Yeah I don't use the gels... But I have found a little wet cleaning goes a long way... You are right about the painters tape and I have added this to my routine! Thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@davidmikolaitis1051]

Not a really fair comparison given that the gel is meant only to clean off a small amount of crud and to be used before every LP side is played with reasonably clean records and not to clean off a filthy stylus. If you wanted to use an Audio Technica product the Audio Technica AT607a product is what you should have used for cleaning a filthy stylus. Personally I Spin Clean my records after a few years, preen the vinyl and gel dip the stylus before every play, and every week or so use the Audio Technica wet brush. I started doing that in a fit of paranoia about gel build up even though I have never had a problem. I figure if there is any gel build up the occasional wet cleaning would get rid of it. The Hudson cleaner looks fantastic, though. But I wouldn't use it before every side played.

[@BensAudioCave]

So your synopsis tracks will my daily usage... I use the AT617a everyday to dig my AT33 PTG/2 in before play... I clean with the hudson about once a month to remove build up... been doing it for a while and this system works great!

[@davidmikolaitis1051]

Very sensible approach. The gel cleaners have their place but are not the be all end all for stylus cleaning. They are like brushing off a bit of dust from your suit as opposed to serious stain removal. Liked your video, BTW. Very informative.

[@catminister3327]

I'm beginning to think that no matter how you try and what you use to clean your stylus, a certain degree of accumulated dirt or grit is going to be unavoidable and no solution is going to be 100% so its just like most things, which selection going to be the least destructive to your gear....

[@BensAudioCave]

That’s not necessarily wrong… either way close enough with super clean media generally bet me little to no issues and undetectable with the naked eye… keep in mind I really worked at it to get these as dirty as they were in conditions I’d never create naturally 😃

[@hakankelepce1724]

just polish the record whit plasticx from mequairs think comes much better

[@BensAudioCave]

Huh? Is this a joke?

[@bobk3840]

It would have more revealing to have seen the dirt on the stylus from more than one view before the UV cleaner was used. You also moved the stylus tip a couple of times during the cleaning process accidentally.

[@BensAudioCave]

I moved it on purpose and it does make it move… I mean I gunked it up for an entire play side and really tried to make it even and fair

[@cjMbuck]

Go to your local hardware or craft store. Get a $3.00 natural bristle art brush. Use it dry. If the stylus is particularly dirty, wet it with distilled water. Quit wasting your time on other methods. Clean the stylus after every lp side played. You'll never have a problem. All these other methods are time and money wasters.

[@BensAudioCave]

I disagree for once in a while deep cleaning… I use my included brush mostly… Thanks for the comment… but I’ll let folks make their own decision

[@Zissou42]

"Quit wasting your time" & "Clean the stylus after every side" Which is it?

[@cjMbuck]

@@Zissou42 "quit wasting your time on other methods". Get the quote right.

[@josephlazaroo1553]

Please rectify it. It's no way a UV ultrasonic Stylus cleaner. Firstly there is no UV light it a simple LED light which servers no purpose in cleaning the stylus. Secondly it works on mechanical vibrator which oscillate the brush. No Ultrasonics involved.

[@BensAudioCave]

It is labeled as a UV light from the manufacturer… you are right it is not ultrasonic but rather 330Hz… but still yet… it works better than anything I’ve used… I was able to remove a glob of blue tack from a friends moving coil with about 3-4 cycles… that said; he tried as did I; every manner of wet cleaning and still wouldn’t come off-this fixed it

[@albertthesecond210]

So … so … So …