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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 4 responses by terry9

terry9
2,246 posts
 
I found it useful to cut a small square of Magic Eraser into a wedge shape and glue it to a silver coin. A gold coin would solve the low-cost problem.

If you decide to glue the Magic Eraser to something, make VERY sure that the something, like a coin, is not magnetic. The cartridge magnets are strong and can attract anything magnetic, and that can do damage.
terry9
2,246 posts
 
I think you'd better turn in your audiophile credentials, Rob. Without theatre and extravagance, where would this hobby be?

The purpose of a small weight is to positively decouple the ME from the stylus when the stylus is raised by the cuing lever.

Don't forget to brush the stylus afterwards. Tiny shards of hard plastic may break off the ME and adhere to the stylus or cantilever, and play havoc with the next record. Definitely not a problem if you remember to use a brush with long, soft bristles.
terry9
2,246 posts
 
I use high purity vodka every 5 hours or so. Tilt the Koetsu down and brush carefully.
terry9
2,246 posts
 
Ah - the Koetsu demands a DRC burgundy.
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