best way to clean Grado Sonata

I can verify that matchbook strikers work well. I can also verify that Linn gave out the matchbooks with their logo on them that had "Linn Stylus Cleaner" printed on the cover. I personally watched Ivor Tiefenbrun clean the stylus of a Linn Karma cartridge with one. I then used this method on my Linn for many years with good results. You lightly stroke the sides of the stylus once or twice with the striker from back to front on 45 degree angles to remove the baked on microscopic residue from the contact areas of the stylus. I owned some of the Linn matchbooks, but have now lost them. They are no different than any paper matchbook that you may have laying around.

As a designer of Extreme Solid State Cleaner (TM), I like to clarify a few things.

Do note that stylus (diamond tip) mounted to the cantilever via 2 methods. One is a hole, and diamond mounts in, the other way is a fork that clamps the diamond. Both method are typically reinforced with adhesive.

Liquid cleaner may weanken the adhesive over time. If the manufacturer recommends against it, perhaps their adhesive has some weakness towards certain kind of solvent. However, even when the adhesive is totally lost, the diamond may not fall off the cantilever, due to mechanical attachment. However, I don't think this is the best way to treat cartridge, especially something mightily expensive.

In addition, most of the better cantilevers are hollow. So liquid cleaner will go up via the tube as a result of capillary action. In most instance, it will just gum up the inside. If anyone opens up their cartridge after a few years, you'll see the inside fairly dusty. The sound slowly degrades over time because the coil is damped by the attachment of foreign substances, as well as added mass. Lost of detail and degraded frequency extension.

As of Zeordust, the main complaint I have is that it only works when new, and after the first wash, the adhesive quality is compromised. Also, the form factor is rather tall and quite impossible to use if the tonearm/record surface has limited clearance. Of course the cost is quite ridulous too.

www.extremephono.com

I used to clean my stylus with a matchbox but always worried that little particles of grit may stick to the stylus and thus wreak havoc in the grooves over time.

Then my dealer suggested cleaning with the bare skin on my finger - just place your finger under the stylus and move finger forward in a smooth motion with very light pressure. I never became comfortable with this method either so now I just use the Stylus cleaner by Last (fluid applied via nail polish brush).

For years now I have used denatured alcohol and a number 4 artists brush with bristle's shortened to about 1/4 inch long. Whatever you do, don't use rubbing alcohol, it must be denatured alcohol. Cheap and effective.