Turntable advice

Discussion in 'Vinyl Nutjob World: Turntable and Related Gear' started by Falcor, Oct 10, 2015.

  1. loki993

    loki993 Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    148
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Michigan
    This for sure. I wouldn't be dropping that kind of money, or any on a TT, until this come out and then make a decision.
     
  2. deniall83

    deniall83 Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    85
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Melbourne
    Sorry forgot to add I’m in Australia so prices are much higher than the US. We also run on 240v so ordering from the states isn’t an option. Thanks for the feedback.
     
  3. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,758
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Jackson, Mi
    Update:

    While this method works wonders for getting rid of dirt and grime, the microfiber towels I have leave lint and fibers behind and the cart picks it up, there will be a sizeable clump halfway through a side and I use my zerodust to clean it off. On second plays it doesn't pick up anything.

    Question:

    Do you guys know of any specific good microfiber towels that won't leave anything behind? Or alternatively could I just rinse with distilled water instead of wiping them down and just let them dry longer?
     
  4. monacelli

    monacelli Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,649
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    The Land of Enchantment
    Are you using a record brush before playback? That should handle 99% of your lint/fuzz issues. You also might try washing your microfiber towels before using them, but I’d avoid any detergents or fabric softeners with perfumes/dyes. For your stylus, you might consider using a stylus brush to remove lint so you can avoid gunking up your zerodust too quickly. Good luck!
     
  5. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,134
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    Way back then, when I last played LPs, I used microfibre (with IPA/Water/detergent-drop) exclusively for vinyl cleaning. In fact, I use it exclusively for almost everything. I'd eat the stuff if I could: absolute microfibre fanboy!

    Anyway, I did not have that problem with lint/fibre-shedding. I wonder of your towels are brand new? If so, give them a wash before use. You loose some softy-softy feeling, but also most of the loose fibres.

    If they have been washed... then yes, you need a lint-free microfibre. An obvious choice might be those made for glass cleaning, except probably not, because they have very little pile, and you need pile to get in the grooves.

    OK, I tried an Amazon.com search. No telling how true "lint free" is for any given cloth, but the fact that the words are there might be a good start.
     
  6. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,758
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Jackson, Mi
    I am using a Hunt EDA Mk6, maybe I'm not using it right? I'll try again tonight and see if it makes a difference. I still have side B of Cant Buy a Thrill to play after the last nights' cleaning. Also, I thought you could rinse the zerodust under water and it would be "brand new" again? At least that's what the marketing said haha

    My towels were some that I got for free when I worked at Advance Autoparts about 7 years ago and they discontinued a whole line of them. I haven't used them before this. I washed them in my Wife's delicates bag and that caused the lint to clump up on the towels. I used a lint-roller, but they still left lint on the record. I'll wash them again tonight without the bag to see if they leave less/no lint.
     
  7. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    690
    Trophy Points:
    93
    The other guys had what seems like good advice on the towel front (I don't have any), except maybe one of the many youtube record cleaning videos has specific advice about microfiber towels, or a specific methodology that might be more effective. And yeah, you can just rinse off the Enzo, I pull the blob of goop (attached to the backer) out of the case for the operation.
     
  8. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,637
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Rochester, NY
    I guess I'm the only weirdo that uses (well mostly used) cloth baby diapers. Good enough for kid's butts, good enough for the records. Of course I mostly used them because we had many, many cloth baby diapers...

    ...but never had any lint issues, at least.
     
  9. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,134
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    Certainly one can't treat microfibre like cotton, eg washing at high, even boil-wash, temperatures, but don't treat it like it is delicate: we're talking cleaning rags, albeit high-tech ones!

    One important thing with microfibre is to never use any conditioners, softeners, etc. They destroy it.

    I even have microfibre bath towels. My theory for keeping them soft is giving them a good shake before and after drying. Loosen up the fibres.
     
  10. monacelli

    monacelli Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,649
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    The Land of Enchantment
    I've heard good things about that brush. You're probably using it right already. It took me a little while to figure it out. I use a technique that is very similar to the one shown in the first 30 seconds of this video: [YouTube - How to Use a Record Brush]. Seems to do the trick and doesn't leave any surface or swirl marks, even with my cheap Record Rescue brush. And I'm not a zerodust user, but some guys say they don't work quite as well after they've been rinsed/washed (ymmv). Don't take my word for it though, I use a magic eraser because I'm cheap.

    You might be onto something. The bag might have trapped the lint, preventing it from finding its way to the trap.

    Funny! I do that too. I don't have kids, but I use nice cloth flats for hand towels in the kitchen (and also to clean records).
     
  11. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,134
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    Microfibre. Replace everything with microfibre.

    Heck, I'd even have sex with the stuff if I cou.... Oh wait! I never thought of it before!

    :sail:
     
  12. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,758
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Jackson, Mi
    Well I'm not sure what to think now. Last night I brushed side B of Can't Buy a Thrill (cleaned the night before, side A had alot of lint on it), and my stylus was spotless after listening. It didn't seem like I picked up that much lint with the brush but maybe it's hard to see unless it's concentrated.

    Also last night I washed all my old glasses cleaning cloths (microfiber but smooth) and will try using them to dry the next record.
     
  13. Vansen

    Vansen Gear Master (retiring)

    Staff Member Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2016
    Likes Received:
    3,893
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Seattle
  14. Stapsy

    Stapsy Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    339
    Trophy Points:
    63
    I have one of these new audioquest brushes with the fancy gold contacts. I found it has stiffer bristles compared to the older style audioquest brushes and works really well for picking up surface dust and cat hair. It also does a better job at reducing static.

    My technique is to first slowly spin the turntable and brush off the visible dust. Then I clean the brush, start the turntable, and hold the brush so it gentle sits on top of the turntable without letting the bristle bend. The goal of the second step is to allow the fine tips of the carbon fibre to get into the grooves.

    I am not sure that microfibre is really capable of getting into the grooves the same way a carbon fibre brush can. The key is really to make sure that your cleaning instruments are actually clean. It doesn't take long for them to get dirty and lose effectiveness.

    This has worked well enough for me so far. I am still trying to figure out what I want to do for a deeper clean.

    [​IMG]
     
  15. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,134
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    I think you need the pile to get down in the groove. I think you want to remove the water and whatever else may be in it, to avoid having mud at the bottom of your groove.
    I haven't tried that product, but (OK, as you might have gathered, I'm a fanboy!) my money is on microfibre.

    First, the clue is in the word "micro." As per my comments about using to clean cases, it reaches where other stuff cannot. Even very fine scratches in plastic cases can be coaxed to give up their greyness.

    Second, it grabs dust and holds it.

    Third, it grabs grease and holds it. Try in the kitchen: you can wipe off a greasy surface without chemical cleaner.

    As far as I know, Carbon fibre has no properties that make it particularly effective as a cleaner: it is just that its strength/weight ratio is high, and it can be made fine.

    I went straight from the four-sided velvet things to microfibre. I skipped carbon fibre: probably it was expensive then.

    Repeated disclosure: Whilst my record-playing life began in 1950-something, my current turntable has been in the cupboard for about three years now.
     
  16. Ziva

    Ziva Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2015
    Likes Received:
    234
    Trophy Points:
    43
    So, I have a VPI TNT III, and when I change a record, the static electricity from my body discharges and makes a pretty loud popping sound through the chain. I don't think it's enough to damage my speakers, but I've more than startled myself a few times. It's particularly bad if I touch the metal record clamp. I've tried touching other parts of the table first, other metal, etc. to no avail. Never had this problem with any other table. Curious if anybody knows a way to address this.
     
  17. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,134
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    Change the carpet?

    Honestly, no, I don't know the answer, but this occurs to me... There was a time when I was always getting static shocks when I reached out to open the door of my car. Zap to the finger tips! Got this hint from someone else: put the palm of your hand flat against the car first, then reach for the handle.

    This was the reasoning: finger tips first, the charge jumps, almost a spark. Flat surface contact, the charge drains away gently. Try it and see if it makes a difference.
     
  18. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,637
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Rochester, NY
    I wonder how dry your air is @Ziva? I would guess too dry...
     
  19. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,320
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Do you use a Zerostat?

    Ever since I stopped using mine, I don't have loud static pops. :rolleyes:
     
  20. Gallic Dweller

    Gallic Dweller Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    Likes Received:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Midi Pyrenees/France
    Milty Zerostat gun - they now make a mark 3 model - and yes it does work. I used to live behind the Sierra Nevada mountains in Guadix, Andalucia. A wonderful healthy climate, semi desert with bone dry air. The locals said "you will have rocks in your nose for at least 3 years" -and they were right.

    Static was a serious problem for me, if I touched the volume on my Kat88 amp I got static, if I stroked one of our dogs I got a real shock.

    I used to use the Milty gun on an LP and then use a carbon fibre brush, then I would use the Milty again because even a carbon fibre brush creates static.

    Don't forget the stylus - never use any kind of 'stylus cleaning fluid'. They don't make them any more but look to buy s/hand an Audio Technica ultra-sonic stylus cleaner, they are brilliant. It's amazing what kind of gunge a stylus can pick up. It's battery operated. there's a 'cleaning pad' that you lower the stylus onto, switch on and leave for about 15 seconds. I've never heard of anyone damaging their stylus using this simple device. Your stylus is now 'polished' clean.

    The only effective way to keep your vinyl clean, is a record cleaning machine. Some people club together to buy one and that makes sense. I now use an MC, it cost me $399 - the AT33EV - bloody brilliant. I plan to buy another AT, the ART 9 @ around £700/$925, the amount of time a stylus lasts is determined by 2 factors - the amount of play time and the state of the vinyl.

    Keeping an LP static free means that the vinyl grooves won't be full of dust and other grunge. I've got LPs I bought in the 70s' some of which I've replaced via discogs and ebay but some are still good and playable - keep ypour vinyl clean and static free ditto for your stylus - oh yes, the music sounds better as well.
     

Share This Page