Stylus Cleaners?

I have used the Record Research LP#9 cleaner with great success. I examined the diamond and cantilever of my Koetsu Rosewood Platinum, using a 20 power magnification, and cannot see any build up or problems at all. This has been my exclusive cleaner for well over a year, so it looks like an excellent choice so far. I should add, that there is a VERY noticeable performance gain when you clean your stylus properly.

I've been using something called Needle Nectar, and felt there was some improvement in the sound but wasn't really bowled over by huge improvements. While it looks like it does a good job cleaning the styus with a small magnifying glass, I certainly haven't examined my stylus like Albert has to see how good a job it really does cleaning. I thank you for this post and for Albert's response, as I've been looking for something better now that my little bottle is running low, and Albert knows his vinyl. Albert, out of curiosity, did you ever try the Needle Nectar?

Have to agree with Albert here. I have been using LP#9 for about two years and I routinely examine my sytlus with a 10X and 20X magnifying glass and see no "gunk!"

Rcprince, no I have not had the opportunity to try the Needle Nectar. I have used several other brands, and all of them are much better than leaving the stylus dirty, but I really did hear an improvement in resolution and imaging after my fist good cleaning with LP#9. If you do try some, please post your experience, I would like to know if you get the same results.

I've also used LP#9 and Stylast. Both with good results. Stylast is proported to be a preservative reducing the friction when playing an album. It can give a build up, so how it is applied is very important. I don't use the Last brush, but rather the brush in the stylast VERY carefully. The other thing I do on occasion is clean the stylus tip with lens paper. You have to be careful not to grab the tip with the fibers, but it is very effective at cleaning the tip. I'ld be curious if anyone else has used this lens paper trick--if you try it just be careful--it can give very good results.

A do-it-yourself approach to stylus cleaning involves making a cleaner brush from a small artist's paint brush. Hold the brush firmly, and use a razor blade to cut across the middle of the brush at a 45-degree angle. You can use this brush with the cleaning fluid of your choice -- the brush is the key, and it is much kinder to the stylus than most of the commercial versions. With regard to Stylast stylus cleaner: I used it for several years and stopped using it, because I believe it migrates up the cantilever and causes the suspension to break down. I do, however, highly recommend LAST record preservative -- it not only preserves the vinyl LP surface, but I am convinced, based on use, that it also has positive effects on the stylus tip.

Thanks for the responses. I've been using Last and am getting to the end of the bottle. It seems to work well enough, but I'll never been overly impressed. I'll probably give LP #9 a try this time.

Sdcampbell, I too use the LAST record preservative, and have for many years now. I find that if after LAST is applied, if you rewash the LP, there are contaminates that are dislodged by the action of the preservative. The final wash removes them, but the work the LAST does, remains on the LP. I also agree with you that there is a positive effect on the stylus. The friction seems to be reduced, as the distortion is lowered and the top end resolution is improved. I use both of the Record Research LP cleaners as, they are the manufacturer of the LP#9 stylus cleaner .