How properly clean Ekstatik stylus?

[kryno]

I was wondering how best to clean the Ekstatik stylus.

For the kandid Linn recommended the green paper, the vibrating pad or the liquid of Lyra.

Will these systems work for the Ekstatik as well? To put it better, are they equally safe on this cartridge?

What do you use?

 

[sktn77a]

You're going to get multiple opinions on this. I was never a fan of the "green paper". Sure it's Linn's recommendation but I don't think Lyra (the manufacturer) would go along with it (if they weren't gagged by Linn).

 

[kryno]

You're going to get multiple opinions on this. I was never a fan of the "green paper". Sure it's Linn's recommendation but I don't think Lyra (the manufacturer) would go along with it (if they weren't gagged by Linn).

I think you’re talking about the Kandid, but what to use for cleaning the Ekstatik?

 

[Mr Kandid]

Any of these little carbon brush jobs.
Forget anything wet as capillary action can ruin the coils.
IMO

 

[HBerg]

Any of these little carbon brush jobs.
Forget anything wet as capillary action can ruin the coils.
IMO

I use one of those on my Benz Micro LP. I have the green paper but would not use it on an expensive cartridge.

 

[Daveyf]

The Lyra SPT liquid is good for all cartridges.

 

[Ron.P]

The Lyra SPT liquid is good for all cartridges.

Agree. Just use common sense: Do not soak the brush; just a drop is needed. Then brush the stylus, not the cantilever.
Peter Lederman told me to use Blue Tak. But when I dropped the stylus onto the Blue Tak, gooey material stuck to the stylus and came up in a scary string. Yikes!
I use the Lyra SPT once per month and my stylus told me in a kandid conversation, that it's quite pleased.

 

[13th Duke of Wymbourne]

Only use Blu-Tak if you want to stick the cartridge to the wall.

 

[airV]

I use one of those on my Benz Micro LP. I have the green paper but would not use it on an expensive cartridge.

What is wrong with "Green Paper"?
I used Lyra SPT liquid 2 or 3 times when I had Lyra cartridges. But I don't really like wet cleaning.

 

[HBerg]

What is wrong with "Green Paper"?
I used Lyra SPT liquid 2 or 3 times when I had Lyra cartridges. But I don't really like wet cleaning.

An expensive cartridge like mine has an expected lifetime of appr. 1400 hours on a relatively soft material as vinyl is. I don't like the idea of brushing it with a hard material as the green paper is. Of course the time you brush the stylus is limited but anyhow, I don't like the idea.

 

[airV]

An expensive cartridge like mine has an expected lifetime of appr. 1400 hours on a relatively soft material as vinyl is. I don't like the idea of brushing it with a hard material as the green paper is. Of course the time you brush the stylus is limited but anyhow, I don't like the idea.

I use the "Green paper" on my Miyajima Madake cartridge which is rather expensive, without any problem.
I use the "Green paper" about every 4 or 5 records, and a small carbon brush like the one shown by Mr Kandid before playing each side
Whether it's with the "Green paper" or the small carbon brush, I only brush the stylus when the arm is free and not blocked on its support.

 

[rabski]

Wire brush and dettol.

Alternatively, if you want it to last, I've always used one of the gel pad cleaners. As long as your vinyl is sensibly clean to start with (essential), then it should only be fluff, hair and dust that gets on a stylus.

I know that AT are happy to recommend a wet clean solution, but I'm extremely wary of any fluids when there are flexible parts that could be affected.

 

[Moomintroll]

An expensive cartridge like mine has an expected lifetime of appr. 1400 hours on a relatively soft material as vinyl is. I don't like the idea of brushing it with a hard material as the green paper is. Of course the time you brush the stylus is limited but anyhow, I don't like the idea.

Whilst vinyl is softer than the stylus, for each LP side the stylus travels about 450m compared to a few mm for each swipe of the green stuff. A stylus is much more likely to wear out from playing than from cleaning. IMHO.

‘troll

 

[airV]

Wire brush and dettol.

Alternatively, if you want it to last, I've always used one of the gel pad cleaners. As long as your vinyl is sensibly clean to start with (essential), then it should only be fluff, hair and dust that gets on a stylus.

I know that AT are happy to recommend a wet clean solution, but I'm extremely wary of any fluids when there are flexible parts that could be affected.

If the discs are washed with a product like "Art du Son" without rinsing, there are residues of the product in addition to fluf, hair and dust.

 

[airV]

Whilst vinyl is softer than the stylus, for each LP side the stylus travels about 450m compared to a few mm for each swipe of the green stuff. A stylus is much more likely to wear out from playing than from cleaning. IMHO.

‘troll

I think it is more the cantilever that is likely to be damaged during cleaning than the stylus itself.
That's why I prefer to brush with the arm free rather than locked to the holder.

The green stuff is soft enough not to damage the cantilever.

 

[rabski]

If the discs are washed with a product like "Art du Son" without rinsing, there are residues of the product in addition to fluf, hair and dust.

Which is why I would never use any cleaning solution other than in a vacuum machine and with sufficient surfactant in the mixture.

I'm reasonably fussy about a lot of things, but I'm a real diva when it comes to having clean vinyl

 

[Ron.P]

Which is why I would never use any cleaning solution other than in a vacuum machine and with sufficient surfactant in the mixture.

I'm reasonably fussy about a lot of things, but I'm a real diva when it comes to having clean vinyl

I still use my VPI vacuum machine for pre-cleaning really filthy vinyl. But I mostly use my Degritter ultrasonic which is a brilliant device.

 

[DebsE]

The Lyra SPT liquid is good for all cartridges.

Not true. It's only good for cartridges with solid cantilevers. If the cantilever is a hollow tube it will track via capilliary action into the coils and destroy them.

I had this happen with a Troika having been recommended to use SPT on the old Linn Forum.

 

[airV]

Which is why I would never use any cleaning solution other than in a vacuum machine and with sufficient surfactant in the mixture.

I'm reasonably fussy about a lot of things, but I'm a real diva when it comes to having clean vinyl

I use a vacuum machine, a Loricraft PRC4 and I always rinse after washing with a product like Art du Son.
I must try the Winyl product. I hear that rinsing is not necessary.

 

[airV]

I still use my VPI vacuum machine for pre-cleaning really filthy vinyl. But I mostly use my Degritter ultrasonic which is a brilliant device.

I don't really like ultrasonic machines. My experiences with a Klaudio were not very successful.
I prefer a good vacuum machine like Loricraft or Keith Monk