stylus lubricant
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Turntable Audio
Forum Name: DJ and Professional Turntable User
Forum Description: Technical Q&A, hints and tips
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5339
Printed Date: 20 Apr 2024 at 6:03am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: stylus lubricant
Posted By: Teesside Tom
Subject: stylus lubricant
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2021 at 11:09am
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I have seen, although not recently, well known reviewers state how they firmly believe in using a waxy type substance to lubricate the stylus before playing an LP. This substance is usually in a container and the idea is to lower the arm into the wax and lift the arm imparting a minute piece of the wax to the tip of the stylus. The American turntable company Vpi appear to advocate the use of this substance, do any members use this or have done in the past. I don't believe it is meant or claimed to enhance playback more extend the life of the stylus tip. I have considered trying it once or twice but if there is one thing I try to avoid it is brushing the stylus, even done correctly with a the right tool I consider it an accident waiting to happen and I felt eventually the wax is going to attract dust and cleaning / brushing may then necessitate the use of a cleaner a fluid something else I have weaned myself off over the years. Maybe it is a case of not broken don't fix it.
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Replies:
Posted By: patientot
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2021 at 5:56pm
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I would never, ever consider using such a thing and have never heard of it, though I suppose people and especially certain types of companies have all sorts of wacky things like that available. Re: brushing a stylus, it's the main way I clean my styli, and have never damaged one doing so. That said, I do not use gemstone type cantilevers (e.g. ruby), which are far more fragile than traditional materials such as aluminum or boron. Now, re: liquid cleaners, it all depends on the cartridge manufacturer. Some do not recommend them under any circumstance and using them would be at your own risk. Don't expect them to honor the warranty in that case either. FWIW I mainly use AT cartridges and they sell their own liquid solvent cleaner. It's not something that I use often, maybe once a month, or once every 2 weeks at most. I'm always careful not to brush too much of the cantilever and just focus on the diamond when I do use it. ------------- SL-1200 MK7 (modified) + Reflex M + PSU-1 used with AT150-40ML, AT VM95ML, Stanton 680mkII + Ogura, and Shure M35X cartridges. |
Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2021 at 6:43pm
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I would have thought the wax would get onto the record causing play back problems ie tracking, slippage, getting into the record grooves causing sound quality issues. As we all know anything on a record is bad news, that's why we all try and keep are records clean. As for extending the life of the stylus I just can't see it myself, Surely the wax is going to wear off after a few spins of the record and as I said, get onto the record. I certainly would not use it. There are some wacky things out there in HiFi
------------- Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze. |
Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2021 at 10:06pm
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Talking of wacky. The latest thing I have seen is at HiFi shows, Manufactures keeping the speaker cables off the floor so as to reduce RF and vibration. Now I can see (maybe) reducing vibration but RF, Maybe Graham could tell us more on that one. To me this is taking things too far or I'm I missing the point here. ------------- Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2021 at 10:54pm
From what I've seen, there are those who know nothing about things like electricity or electronics engineering but still want to make a name for themselves in hi-fi. I guess it's easy to latch onto vibration and interference from frequencies in the radio spectrum, perhaps because they know that plenty of customers are just as knowledgeable as they are(n't). We can't all be engineers and so it seems the hi-fi press also know very little (or they'd be earning more than £50 - £100 per review). So, since review magazines stopped paying knowledgeable staff (they once did) then anything goes. There are one or two exceptions, but they're hard to spot. So, what about those incredible recordings of live performances with masses of (mainly signal) cables securely anchored to the venue's floor with all that gaffer tape? Recording trucks parked on the pavement. But, to reproduce the instruments in the sonic version of supermarionation, strings must be pulled (or legs lifted). But I was going to comment on substances impeding the contact between groove and stylus (so I just did). ------------- That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
lfc jon wrote:Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2021 at 6:25pm
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Thanks Graham On vibration, I have had problems with my personal stereo with the headphone cable rubbing on my jacket with the noise transferring through to the ear pieces, so that's why I gave vibration more leeway. But waxing your stylus, I see no advantage in doing it. ------------- Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2021 at 8:10pm
I had that problem, very annoying. Perhaps they should make body pylons?
 ------------- That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2021 at 9:06pm
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I suppose it is a benefit of cordless earplugs. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2021 at 10:00pm
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Jon Good point ------------- Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze. |