TT static

apc

One more today.

Have a lot of static with my LPs and the TT. I've been cleaning them with solution and a record brush, then drying with a microfiber towel. Suggestions please?

FYI - TT sits on an antique wooden sideboard as does the receiver. Room is carpeted.

billbillw

Microfiber doesn't absorb that quickly. Try using lint free cotton first, then microfiber to finish it off. If you are mixing your own cleaning solution, use distilled water only! If this doesn't help, you need to either get a vaccum system and better cleaning solutions, or buy better records.
Often times, older records that were played without proper cleaning will have permanently embedded micro particles in the vinyl. Nothing will help those.

Oh yeah, if you are not using a carbon fiber brush every time immediately before playing, start doing that. Some people thing that this isn't needed after wet cleaning, but it is. Every time, no matter what.

madmax

Tell your wife it is your hobby so STFU.

Just kidding.


Maybe a zerostat gun or a humidifier?
madmax

billbillw

Ok,
Are you referring to electrical static when you handle records, or static in the sound? I assumed you meant static noise when you play the music, but now I think I might have assumed the wrong thing.

apc

Handling and mounting on TT is where static occurs. Not noticed during play. Had thought about a zerostat gun. That may be a good partner to cotton rags. I need a new record brush. Which brand/type is preferred?

danger boy

ok. i like this topic.. i used a fiber cleaning brush with some record cleaning solution on it.. then I clean the record going with the grooves.. what I end up with though is all the dirt and dust all lined up in a row on the record..

how do I remove what dust and dirt the brush has piled up ?? i can never really clean a record of all the dust and dirt... all it does is gather it up in a row.

billbillw

Danger, I'm pretty sure carbon fiber brushes are only supposed to be used dry. I don't have any problems with mine, I just swipe it off with the brush.

APC, any of those generic $10 carbon fiber brush will do the trick. Don't spend extra for Audioquest or any other brand. They are all the same. The Zerostat is worth owning, but I found the biggest thing that makes a difference is the material of the mat. I had terrible problems with static on my Oracle when using the original Oracle mat, so I started using a felt mat on top of it and the static problem mostly went away. I still wanted that sticky type mat, so I got an AQ Sorbogel mat and it was just as bad as the Oracle mat. Zerostat only helped once I removed the record, and by then, all kinds of **** was stuck to it. So, I went back to the felt.

Then I got my VPI table, with its acrylic platter. VPI doesnt' recommend a mat, so I didn't use one. Low and behold, I now have nearly zero problems with static. I guess Acrylic and vinyl together don't create static like vinyl and rubber or sorbogel.

So maybe just get one of the antistatic felt mats. They are cheap and worth a try. Just re-adjust your VTA after switching mats.

apc

I've already got an Audioquest that I won on a Karma here . I've always used it prior to playing each record. Perhaps I'm not using it correctly or there's another culprit causing extra static...

billbillw

apc wrote: »

I've already got an Audioquest that I won on a Karma here . I've always used it prior to playing each record. Perhaps I'm not using it correctly or there's another culprit causing extra static...

Just the interaction between dissimilar materials. Vinyl and rubber make static.

Dennis Gardner

Here is a cheaper version of a Zerostat. I have heard it is a little stronger too. http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/cdtreatments.php

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the Ionoclast.

apc

Thanks Dennis, I had never heard of the IONOCLAST before.