After coming across the numerous threads on AA regarding the Magic Eraser, I picked up a box at Target to see what all the buzz was about. I cut a small 1/2" cube and stuck it on a wooden skewer. As per the consensus advice I precleaned the stylus with a dry SC-2 brush and "dunked" the stylus in the ME a couple of times. Mabye my stylus was already squeaky clean because there was no dirt on the ME and I could not tell what if anything was accomplished. What has been the experience of others regarding this cheap cleaning trick? Are there more effective techniques in it's use?

After coming across the numerous threads on AA regarding the Magic Eraser, I picked up a box at Target to see what all the buzz was about. I cut a small 1/2" cube and stuck it on a wooden skewer. As per the consensus advice I precleaned the stylus with a dry SC-2 brush and "dunked" the stylus in the ME a couple of times. Mabye my stylus was already squeaky clean because there was no dirt on the ME and I could not tell what if anything was accomplished. What has been the experience of others regarding this cheap cleaning trick? Are there more effective techniques in it's use?
What are you looking at your stylus with? If little or no magnification, you wouldn't believe what you are missing. I use a small 50x hand held microscope
which works fairly well. with it, there is plenty of junk stuck on there even with very clean albums. I brush first, apply the magic eraser, rebrush, then look. sometimes this needs to be repeated to get all the muck off. If stubborn, I use a little isopropol alcohol on the brush. Once reasonably free of muck, I dip it in the extreme phono solid state stylus cleaner. Then I look again through the scope. Now it is usually spotless. None of the muck was observable (with my eyes anyway with 10x or 20x magnification. 50x is about as high as you can go with a hand held, and it takes a little practice. 100x would be better, but would require removal to put on a microscope. Too high a power for hand held purposes. (with my hands anyway). for what ever reason, I find muck sticks to my shure V15Vxmr stylus worse than the ortofon Super OM-30 stylus.

russellc

For approx. last year I have been using the ME followed by Onzow Zerodust after each Lp. Seems to keep things nice and clean. I haven't done a microscopic inspection, but from reading the results from those that have, it apparently does an excellent job. And a lifetimes supply for $2 ain't too shabby!!!

Are you supposed to see anything on the ME after using it? Is the downward TF of the cartridge enough force for cleaning action? I read that you do not drag the ME under any circumstances as it might separate the diamond from the cantilever.

Are you supposed to see anything on the ME after using it? Is the downward TF of the cartridge enough force for cleaning action? I read that you do not drag the ME under any circumstances as it might separate the diamond from the cantilever.

I guess it would be, I dont lower the stylus onto it, I raise the pad up to the stylus. sometimes this is enough, sometimes not. After a while, (especially with magnification) you will get a feeling for it. Occasionally upon reinspection, there is a fiber or two stuck on the stylus, so I would definately recommend re brushing as this material is very abrasive.

Russellc