MC demagnetizer, how many use one, any concerns?


I have just purchased a benz demagnetizer to use with my ruby 2 and wonder if anyone has heard of concerns of negative effects. Are you all happy with its effects? One friend suggested that once you do it you must do it quitefrequently or the sound is worse off. I don't understand why that should be. But look for any theoretical or practical thoughts. Many thanks
gajgmusic

Showing 4 responses by rives

I've had similar experiences to Albert. Right after the demag it's a little on the harsh or edgy side. After a very short while (like only a couple of albums) it's back to a more relaxed yet (and I can't prove this next statement) more detailed than before demag.
Lugnut: Benz unit is great and not very expensive. Cpdunn99: I'm a physicist and critical of even my own claims. When I tell someone it's the absolute truth--it pretty much is--but I rarely say this. I can hear a difference. I'm convinced for myself that it does work. However, I have not done a definitive proof that I could publish and give absolute results to others--that's why I said I can't prove my last statement--I can't (or haven't). Like many tweaks or other small changes in this hobby it's getting that last 1% out. In some cases there is a logical physical proof as to why you got another 1% out and in others there really isn't. If you go into the solid state physics of demagnetization there is little or no proof that it should do any good. The amount of charge that can build up on a coil will maximize very quickly and then disappate, so why would a demag process have any effect beyond about 1 second? So far I have yet to find an explaination that is very convincing, but so far my ears have told me it's worth the time and effort (and in my setup it is effort).

Also, in defense of Albert (although he needs none) the time after break in is the optimum performance of a cartridge. After that it is degrading, being able to bring it back to that optimum point--well what better could you ask for. I only wish I could do this for some wine that has passed it's peak.
Gary: I have to go through the cable, as it is a din connector. That's probably best anyway. The other thing I recommend is that you rest the needle on a record (not spinning) when you demag. This puts the coil (assuming MC) in the center and theoretically should do a better job. This is something that phsycially makes sense to me, but I have to confess--I can't tell any difference sonically from when I used to demag with the cartridge up and not touching anything.