Dynavector and Audio Technica Stylus Cleaner. Anyone Risked It?!!

I used it with a d17II without problem.

I did with the 10X4Mk2 that I once owned but if Dynavector says not to use it (which I was not aware of at the time) then it's probably better to use something else...

Incidentally, what does Dynavector suggest using? I used to use a soft brush to clean my cartridge after each side but found it ineffective.

JD

Tim,

I've used the AT cleaner on a 17d2 and now on an xx-2 without any problems.

Jeremy, with the two dynavectors I've had they supply a small soft brush. This is what Dynavector recommend to clean their carts with. I do use this after every side, just to get rid of any dust or surface crud on the stylus. I then use the AT after maybe 3 or 4 sides, but I do only use it very quickly, maybe 2 or 3 times for half a second or so each time.

Hope this helps.

Simon

I've had no problems either using AT with Linn K9, Dynavector 10xII and now DV20H (shit its a good cartridge) over the last 18 years.

I find I only need to use it for 10 seconds and it does the job. I hold the cleaner in my hand which I know is not recommended (nor should you do it!).

Enjoy.
b

I wonder what Dynavector's view is regarding playing LP records with one of their delicate cartridges?

Seriously though, I've thousands of records that put a lot more wide bandwidth energy into my cartridge than does my AT electronic stylus cleaner. One just has to turn up the volume a bit and have a listen for oneself to realise this.

IME, soft long bristle brushes do absolutely nothing to clean a dirty stylus other than remove the loosely accumulated dust fibres snagged during play.

Styli accumulate a thick layer of baked on crud in use which prevents the tip from accurately following the groove (and increases tip mass by a large amount). This crud consists of mold release agent, vinyl molecules, accumulated dust and environmental pollutants. This shite is hard and requires some shifting to remove.

As an experiment, try back lighting your styli with a small torch placed upon your turntables stationary platter. Observe that your nude diamond appears black and less than V-shaped. A clean stylus shines like a diamond should and has an obvious V-shaped profile. It will also appear much smaller because the built up crud can more than double the diameter of its shank.

IME, the AT cleaner does not put an inordinate amount of mechanical energy into the stylus/cantilever/suspension relative to LP play unless one is rough with it. I greatly prefer regular use of the AT over using solvents or abrasive paper. With regular use the AT does the best job of anything I've tried. The best alternatives are the short stiff brushes like the Discwasher SC-2 and the Stylast brush. The included solvent is unnecessary unless the stylus is well used and has never been properly cleaned before.

I imagine that DV are still a bit paranoid after their early problems with the original Karat series jettisoning their jewel cantilevers. Their continued warnings just don't instil much confidence that their cartridges are robust enough for daily use (which I have no doubt they are).

Craig

I have never done any damage to a cartridge with the Audio Technica vibrating thingy, and I've owned it for so long I can't actually remember not having it! I hate to think the number of cartridges I have cleaned with it, probably a couple of pint glasses full. I'm not sparing in its use either, I tend to plonk the cart onto it and go and make a cup of tea before playing a record (i.e. leave it for five minutes), it warms up the cartridge nicely. I have forgotten about it a few times and left it vibrating away for a couple of hours before now. Things tend to sound great afterwards, I guess it warms the cartridge up a bit. I always find a turntable sounds better one or two sides in to a session, the AT just reduces the warm up time.

I can't for the life of me understand why they are no longer made. Its about the only hi-fi toy that really delivers the goods.

Tony.

Thanks to everyone for their helpful comments. The AT arrived this morning (£15.00 from Affordable Audio - Cheers guys!) I shall clean with confidence!

Tim

quote:

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However...it seems that Dynavector warn against its use. Has anyone with a Dynavector ignored this advice and used it anyway?! Did you regret it?

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Back in the early 80's I was using their just-released Dynavector Ruby Karat (DV23R). One day after gently cleaning its stylus with the supplied soft-bristled brush I unbent my waist and in so doing caused my tie to drag along the cantilever and entirely separating diamond (stylus) from ruby(cantilever). I returned the cartridge to Dynavector UK mentioning that the tip managed to come loose after routine cleaning (I didn't mention the bit about the necktie)- they replaced it FOC acknowledging that the bond of one precious stone to another is less tight than a conventional metallic (i.e. aluminum or boron) cantilever. Therein lies the potential risk of using oscillating stylus cleaners on cartridges with stone cantilevers.

I must say that Dynavector UK was a pleasure to deal with compared to the then-US Koetsu distributors who initially refused to replace my Black-K/Gold Line when it was obvious the whole metallic body was deformed.

In my experience expensive cartidges die out due to user abuse/misuse long before stylus wear/cantilever surround rot becomes an issue.

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo

[This message was edited by Ron Toolsie on WEDNESDAY 04 September 2002 at 14:42.]

Tony L wrote:

>I can't for the life of me understand why they are no longer made. Its about the only hi-fi toy that really delivers the goods.<

I believe they accidentally quite literally broke the mold and the expense to have a new one made was too high for them.

There's also another version (triangular in shape) that was marketed by Goldring.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

Is it in production again?

Mine was stolen, and I have been hunting for another for ages!

DS

I have had my AT 637 for a long time - must be pushing 15, I know its well over 10. Anyway, I have had no problems, and like Craig said, if you put it on with the volume up you can hear its a fairly narrow band. ( Taking into account human hearing - no idea regarding sub/ultra sonics. Also makes neat oscillating sounds when you walk across a suspended floor with it doing its job.

regards,

michael