Mo-Fi two step cleaning works for me.
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I have found that the following in some capacity achieves "cleaning". (1) I use bare speaker wire. Perhaps once a year or so I will clip off the ends and create newly unshielded ends. (2) in the case of rca or xlr, simply unplug and replug the connector. the "re-seating" tends to be desirable every so often, albeit infrequently. (3) rubbing alcohol if some foreign matter is visible on the connector |
I've gone through a couple bottles of Kontak over the years. Like it, works great, but is just too expensive. Caig DeOxit D5 cleans just as well at a fraction of the cost. Alcohol can be used (although the D5 is far more effective), but stay away from rubbing alcohol which typically contains lanolin and/or other skin softeners that will leave a film. Use a 95% or higher purity isopropyl alcohol instead. |
bcowen, I agree with you on the rubbing alcohol. I mentioned "rubbing" alcohol previously but yes I too look or isopropyl or a high purity alcohol. Everclear is a pretty good choice :) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everclear_(alcohol) |
Geoff, I haven't gone to the length of cleaning all the outlets in the house, but I did get a nice improvement with just the outlets on the same breaker circuit as the audio system. Rather than cleaning them though, I replaced the non-system outlets with spec-grade outlets, and the difference was quite noticeable. Not sure if it was due to dirt/oxidation, or due to the crappy contractor-grade outlets with the Romex shoved into the spring clip terminals in the back. I stripped down to fresh Romex and tightly wrapped the wire around the screw terminals of the new outlets as it SHOULD be done. I attributed the improvement to the fresh copper and proper mechanical fastening, but dirt and resultant arcing certainly could have been a factor as well. Took a little time, but didn't cost much and the result was well worth it. |
I use Deoxit G5 and D5 also. I recently tried Oyaide cleaning sticks. Incredible the dirt they can collect on connections you thought were "clean". Their size allow them to clean the inside of IEC. After that I finish with Deoxit. I heard Acoustic Revive build a contact cleaner (or contact enhancer ?) that is awfully expensive. Does someone tried it ? |