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Koetsu Rosewood - Best/safest way to clean stylus

I have a Koetsu Rosewood Signature and have been cleaning the stylus using LAST (I think that is the brand) liquid with a brush, followed by using the cueing to drop the needle onto a Magic Eraser 4-5 times. I think this works pretty well, but I worry about the liquid... having read about liquid wicking up the cantilever, etc.

Could using liquid damage the cartridge? Could dropping the cueing down onto the Magic Eraser "grab" the needle and damage the suspension as I raise it? It seems like the only safe way to use Magic Eraser because I don't trust my hands to be steady enough to do it any other way.

Is there another cleaning method that has actually been proven (via microscope) to clean the needle safely and be safe for the cartridge?

Thanks
montaldo

Showing 6 responses by slaw

slaw's avatar
slaw
20,508 posts
 
I understand the reasoning behind those who choose not to use any sort of liquids, however, IMO, it defies common sense not to use some sort of fluid, every now and then for cleaning.
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,508 posts
 
@cleeds,

IMO, the US seems a safer/more effective alternative to the ME.
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,508 posts
 
@cleeds ,

While it doesn’t keep me up at night, I have wondered about the pos/neg effects of an US stylus cleaner?
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,508 posts
 
As I said before, while I have no evidence the "catching"/that occurs when using ME causes any negative stylus life, it doesn't seem to be a normal issue a cartridge manufacturer would account for.

I don't need to see the "catching" effect, I can feel it.
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,508 posts
 
@mijostyn,

If LAST is nothing but Freon, why has there not been a ban on it’s use? Also, why hasn’t it’s price skyrocketed over and above it’s already high price? Why no warning labels on the product?

I’m just wondering?
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,508 posts
 
No experience with Koetsu but here's my take. I use to read, years ago about stylus fluid wicking up the cantilever. My response to that is don't play a record after cleaning for a minute or so. I have used the ME and while I haven't attributed any problems to it, it does sometimes "catch" which is an uneasy feeling. I switched from the ME to blue tak, (like Peter Lederman). I still use a Zerodust, a brush, and LYRA STP.
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