Since I acquired a Stellar Phono and a Rega P8 turntable I’ve played some virgin albums. They were fine for a play but I have an issue with static electricity and dust on the records. Can everyone share their strategy and tips to deal with this?
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Well against my better judgement I bought a “Milty Zerostat 3”. I assumed that it was nonsense but it’s an Amazon purchase so it can go back. Darn, I stand corrected, it does work on the static charge on the records. Before my records would tickle my arm hair. After a Milty zap, all gone. I’m pleased. Next is the dust. Our next home will have a massive Hepa system.
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Now what’s the best dust removal system?
I bought Audio Technica brush but it just moves the dust around and doesn’t pick it up.
That one I never resolved to my satisfaction – I did have a carbon fiber anti static TT mat, which allowed a cleaning cloth to more easily remove dust, but it felt like cleaning with a cloth must be micro scratching the surface.
Also there used to be a vacuum system that literally hoovered the record (as it was played?), and several lesser systems with a little extra “arm” that “brushed” the bit of the record just before it was played. All pretty naff nowadays I expect, this was in the 8os, things might have moved on now!
Low humidity is a part of the problem in many houses, that and us pesky humans, shedding our skin cells (which, I am told, is a large percentage of household dust. Ew!)
Up North here in Toronto Canada, especially in winter its really dry
and lots of static. I use Furutech DeStat II for 20 seconds then use a
Audioquest carbon fibre brush. Also I spray the Linn LP12 felt mat.
First off wet clean new records. The mold release and other things can increase the sticking power of small particles.
The milty zero stat will last years and years and works really well. I also blast my cartridge tonearm and the rest of the TT now and then with it.
I then use the grounded acoustech big brush.
Another option I use is a record brush then the mapleshade grounded brush.
Every single record, first thing i do is wet wash then place it in a mofi sleeve.
The amount of dust and larger debris in the stock sleeves is criminal.
This may seem weird (aren’t all audiophiles a little weird?) I have a small spray bottle of ethyl alcohol i often give my hands a quick mist and rub before touching my records. Any oils on your fingers act like a magnet for dust.
Also if you must talk when handling records turn your head away from the record micro particles of liquid from your mouth hitting the record give a great thing for particles to attach to.
Wow That got really long on my phone XD
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I use the Minty Zerostat as well, amazingly simple and effective device!
For cleaning dust off a record I use the MoFi Vinyl Brush:
BUT, I’ve found that using good inner sleeves almost eradicates both these issues. So I use MoFi inner sleeves on my whole collection. Adds a fair cost overall, but it really is so worth it in the long run:
I use this and I quite like it:
I agree. I have a different look on it. Adding a mofi sleeve and a outer sleeve.
For less than a dollar a record about .75 to have a record that will outlast a CD i say is worth it.
I have a friend who had CDs go bad already.
Completely agree, I use outer covers as well, I get some really good UV protective and quite thick gatefold covers, and some Vinyl Guru UV protective standard covers. Does make the world of difference for keeping the cover in good condition.
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First off all my records are wet cleaned with a Loricraft PRC4, especially new records. I use anti-static sleeves where necessary. My deck is in a closed cabinet. I occasionally use a Furutech ASB-1 brush. I use a felt mat from Origin Live. I clean the stylus with a gel pad before every record.
The result is no surface noise or static and the Loricraft reduces cartridge wear by about 75%.
There really are no short cuts.
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Yes ! I forgot to mention stylus cleaning every side.
The DS audio gel pad is great so is the zerodust one. I prefer the DS because of its low profile.
A super cheap option is using a little blutak on a coin.
I’ve been spinning vinyl for fifty years and finally discovered a nifty missing link in my vinyl cleaning routine. After wet vacuum cleaning with a Nitty Gritty and L’ Art du Son cleaner solution, rinsing and vacuuming with distilled water after cleaning with L’ Art du Son, and replacing the stock sleeves new ones, one still has the issue of dust settling on the vinyl. A silicone roller used on both the vinyl and my Boston Audio platter remove every last trace of surface dust better than any of the many brushes or micro fiber solutions I tried previously. There’s no reason you shouldn’t use a de-stat solution before using the roller if static is an issue for you. After each listening session I clean the silicone roller with soap and water and shake it dry. Best small investment I ever made in vinyl playback. There are numerous items like this one that work well: https://www.amazon.com/Record-Roller-Cleaner-Reusable-Liquid/dp/B07B8WFXLM/ref=sr_1_6?crid=QUV74KSQFFUX&dchild=1&keywords=record+roller&qid=1593521938&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sprefix=record+roller&sr=8-6
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Just as an update. The best and budget friendly noise mitigation accessory is an Analogue Devices carbon fibre mat. This came from Analogue Seduction in the UK.
Grand cost 22 pounds plus 8 pounds shipping. Pretty much killed pops and clicks.
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Thanks, bookmarked the page, looks promising, will purchase next week.
I’ve currently got a leather Project mat, but it’s uneven and leads to the record spinning unevenly, plus sheds quite easily, not very happy with it.
I don’t know why turntable manufacturers promote leather mats (or felt ones.) I don’t recall ever reading anything but negative remarks about them. Boston Audio Design’s carbon graphite mats have been my choice for many years. They’ve recently developed a new one that provides better performance with less material thickness. I may have to try one of the new ones myself.
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My five cents (that’s about two cents US plus tax).
Before a new (as in brand new or second hand) record is played the first time, I wash it with a VPI HW16-5 using MoFi Super Record Wash liquid. Give it a good brushing with the liquid and vacuum dry for three revolutions to make sure all the liquid and dust with it is vacuumed off.
Unless the record comes in a good quality inner sleeve (which is annoyingly rare), into a MoFi anti-static inner sleeve it goes after the bath. I am tempted to try the MA Recordings inner sleeves but haven’t done so yet. The record itself goes to a polypropylene outer sleeve - I keep two sizes depending on the size of the sleeve of the record. The records are on a shelf without too much space above them to reduce the amount of dust getting into the sleeves.
Before being played, even if just washed, brush with a Clearaudio antistatic brush and occassionally give the stylus a clean with the Clearaudio stylus cleaning liquid. If the record looks or sounds like it needs a new bath, off to wash it goes.
No anti-static mat required on an acrylic platter.
I’ve bought quite a few things from Analogue Seduction, including a PSA regenerator. Very good dealer.
They also sell the Origin Live mat, that I’ve been using for many years. The Rega one is also good. They tend to be made from a fairly dense felt material.
It’s more about damping. My deck has no static, it’s made of Acetal.
Greg Weaver did a couple videos on the virtues of Vinyl and this, the second one, focuses on ways to keep records in good shape, heres a link to the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBqCgzauLuE