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<\/p>\nI purchased all these cleaners by the end of 2021, in order to get an unbiased view of how they perform and how they compare. Due to time constraints, and in part due to the time-consuming complexity of this test, it took until now to finally perform the tests. When I finally wrote this article, I found that the two most expensive products had been lowered in price. What’s more, even the affordable variants had either stayed the same in price or were reduced even though we are currently experiencing high inflation rates. So, is now the best time to step on board? Read on to find out!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Prior to testing each cleaning method, I made sure to get my stylus dirty by playing unwashed dirty records and using the same test track each time. In-between tests, I thoroughly cleaned the stylus with record cleaning fluid (part alcohol) and Tonar Quality Service Vinyl Cleaner (which I use with the ClearAudio Matrix record cleaner) and a hard brush. After that, I allowed the stylus to get dirty again.<\/p>\n
The comparisons were done in cooperation with my neighbors Bart & Jessyca who are not die-hard audiophiles but are highly perceptive and deeply interested. The beauty of these people is that they are not biased by any pre-existing audiophile beliefs, yet they never seem to fail at pointing out the exact same aspects of sound that I hear without my telling them what to look out for, and the same was true in this test. I like to think that this will add extra gravitas to the results that I am about to unveil, especially for those who might be skeptical that there could be meaningful differences among these products.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
For this test, I used the Origin Live Calypso mk4<\/a> turntable with Multi-Layer Platter, Illustrious arm, and Silver Hybrid cable, with an Aidas Rainbow<\/a> MC cartridge. The phono stage was the CH Precision P1<\/a>. See the Main System<\/a> page for more audio component info.<\/p>\n A dirty stylus will lead to several adverse sonic effects such as scratchy treble, muddy mids, and less articulate and immediate expression, as well as posing a threat for damaging records. It speaks for itself that a stylus should be cleaned frequently, preferably before every record.<\/p>\n The purpose of Dry Cleaning methods is to introduce a safer method for stylus cleaning. It avoids using solvents that can affect the stylus cement or glue with which the stylus is attached to the cantilever. In general, it is recommended to be careful with any fluid that contains alcohol. Some manufacturers that use cement to bond styli to cantilevers, such as Ortofon, specifically recommend against using solvent-based liquids that can dissolve the bonding material. While the glue of most stylii will not be adversely affected, one still needs to take care not to let the fluid creep up and land on the cantilever’s suspension for if it does end up there, capillary action will quickly spread it. Apart from this, using a dry method and lowering\/raising the tonearm with the lift will also greatly reduce the risk\u00a0of manually breaking the stylus or cantilever by using too much force with a brush or accidentally nudging it the wrong way. The idea is to simply use the force of “stickiness” to get rid of accumulated dust and dirt on the stylus. The first four methods all work according to this method.<\/p>\n The LAST stylus cleaner deviates from these four methods by being a wet cleaner. Thus, it requires a steady hand but its special formulation is said to be completely safe for all cartridge assemblies.<\/p>\n See also the Longevity section in the Phono Cartridge Stylus Shapes<\/a> article for more info on cartridge maintenance.<\/p>\n Onzow ZeroDust is perhaps the most famous dry stylus cleaning method and at its orinigal price of 78 euros, it is also one of the most expensive options. The case is well-made and the lid comes off very easily without needing to hold down the bottom part. The shape is made such\u00a0that you won’t inadvertently put on the lid incorrectly, and you’re not likely to land the lid in the gel.<\/p>\n It makes use of non-disclosed ultra-soft plastic material, only indicated to be “not urethane gel”.\u00a0 The gel sits in the case as a bloc-like bubble which made us refer to it simply as “the blob-variant”. The blob material is quite soft, and it lets the cartridge sink so deep that not only the stylus but the entire cantilever is submerged. When lifting the arm, the needle comes loose easily and you can see immediate evidence of dust left behind in the material.<\/p>\n With its beautiful shiny metal casing, the Japanese DS Audio ST-50 is the most luxurious method of cleaning a stylus and at its original price of 80 euros, it is even more costly than the ZeroDust. But I wanted one, based on looks alone! In use, it handles well, and its weight makes it easy to lift the lid without needing to hold down the bottom part, although the thinness of the lid could make it potentially slip from your fingers a little more easily. Also, its low ridges could inadvertently allow you to put it back rotated, making it stick to the pad. But these are minor concerns that for me don’t outweigh the utter luxury of the item. It uses a flat strip made of urethane, specially developed for micro-dust cleaning in clean rooms (presumably as floor mats). This is why we soon lovingly dubbed the material “matje” which in Dutch means small mat.<\/p>\n The gel is considerably harder than the Onzow’s soft “non-urethane-gel”. As a result, it’s mostly just the needle tip that is submerged while most of the cantilever remains cleared. The material may be tough, but it is also quite sticky, pulling at the cantilever with more force than the Onzow ZeroDust. One slight concern that I have is that the stylus’ slight forward movement as it moves down is somewhat prohibited by the material’s toughness. But as with the ZeroDust, you can immediately see dust particles trapped in the material after lifting the tonearm.<\/p>\n The China-made, Germany-distributed Dynavox NRG30 cleaning gel has a very different shape but similar structure and viscosity as the Onzow material.<\/p>\n Left: Onzow ZeroDust; Right: Dynavox NRG30<\/em><\/p>\n I decided to also purchase it to see if it worked the same or if there are advantages to the Onzow. One thing that’s clear right away is that the cheaper solution weighs next to nothing and needs to be handled with two hands. Then again, its round shape makes it easy to recap. The gel material is not mentioned but it looks identical to the Onzow’s material (“not urethane”). In use, the material has the same cohesion and stickiness, and the needle sinks as deeply, and comes out as easily, as with the Onzow.<\/p>\n Just as the Dynavox NRG30’s material reminds of the Onzow’s, the Spain-made Winyl One-Touch Polymer’s pad seems to be very similar to the pad used in the DS Audio.<\/p>\n Left: DS Audio ST-50; Right: Winyl One-Touch Polymer<\/em><\/p>\n The two pads have the same size and overall appearance. Winyl mentions their pad’s material to be\u00a0a PU Tech Polyurethane polymer.<\/p>\n Interestingly, the Winyl had a thin protective plastic film on the material that I only noticed after trying to lower the needle into it and finding that it just sat on top. Of course, this was mentioned in the instructions leaflet that I had not read yet. In use, the material does indeed mimic the DS Audio in every way. The main downside of the Winyl is operational in nature and it is that the lid sits very tightly and you have to pull it off with so much force that you could risk dropping it.<\/p>\n LAST comes highly recommended by Ron Ploeger of Callas Audio, a good friend and someone who lives and breathes analog. Unlike the aforementioned four methods, LAST employs a wet cleaning method. It looks a lot like a bottle of clear nailpolish, right down to the cap-attached soft brush.<\/p>\n LAST uses only the purest chemicals and triple-filtered deionized water in their biodegradable formulations to insure that their products leave no residue or impurities on the records. It is said to contain no alcohol and be safe to use for all cartridges, even those that are notoriously sensitive to this.<\/p>\n Upon a sniff-test, I can confirm to smell no alcohol-like substances.<\/p>\n Next: The Test<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Following our tests, we soon agreed that all four dry cleaning methods do indeed work as advertised. They all remove dirt quite effectively which can be seen by the dirt the stylus leaves behind in the blob- or mat material and which can also immediately be heard. With all the Dry Cleaning Methods, we heard immediate improvements in terms of lowered noise and increased treble smoothness, as well as an increase in what I will, for now, refer to as calmness. The latter is a factor that people may chase after if they have a system that leans toward the nervous or aggressive side. But it is not something that my system needs.<\/p>\n We started with the Dynavox NRG30 “Blob” and noted that the cleaning results came along with a reduction in pace, articulation, expression, and treble precision and clarity. As Jessyca mentioned, the music appeared “slower” and Bart commented (in other words) on the fundamental tones, the basis of snares and other percussive sounds, in this case, being ok, but their upper harmonics being toned down in presence and clarity. What I personally noted most of all was a reduction in transient sharpness and a lowering of PRaT. After cleaning the stylus with the aforementioned Quality Service fluid the original sound was immediately restored.<\/p>\n When repeating the dry cleaning test with the other affordable Winyl One-Touch Polymer “Mat” solution, the stylus got cleaned just as effectively but the aforementioned reservations were again present, and even stronger.<\/p>\n Now, I was particularly curious to see what the expensive solutions would have to offer. We first tried the Onzow ZeroDust (“Blob”-variant), which appeared to clean just as well as the two inexpensive options, but also introduced similar downsides. We were under the impression that perhaps the Onzow solution retained slightly more treble openness and air than the Winyl One-Touch Polymer “Mat”, but still, it made for a perceived slowing of pace and a reduction in transient sharpness. And we couldn’t really tell if it made any difference from the inexpensive Dynavox NRG30 “Blob”. As before, after cleaning the stylus with the Quality Service fluid the original sound was immediately restored.<\/p>\n Next up was the most luxurious DS Audio ST-50 “Mat”. Again, its cleaning action was undisputed, but also again, it introduced a rounding in the transients. However, for the first time, Jessyca noted that the sound did not slow down. And sure enough, I had to agree that this method retained most of the treble openness and air of all four solutions. However, the sound was still noticeably less expressive and impactful than before the treatment. And, indeed, another cleaning with the Quality Service fluid confirmed this.<\/p>\n At this point, we agreed that none of the dry-cleaning methods proved to be desirable alternatives for manual cleaning with a hard brush and some fluid unless the main concern is to lower the chance of damaging the stylus by mistake.<\/p>\n I had originally intended on distinguishing the level of success between the four solutions over the course of several sessions for cleaning dirt off the stylus but our experiments actually showed very little difference among the four methods. What’s more, since it turned out that the side-effects of the treatment were rather more obvious, and as far as we and this system were concerned, unwanted, I saw no point in persevering with any longer-term tests.<\/p>\n This brought us to the fifth and final product, the LAST stylus cleaner. While I originally had no intention of including it in this test, the consistently good results that we obtained with the Quality Service fluid made me wonder what differences, if any, the LAST fluid would make.<\/p>\n While the Quality Service fluid works supremely well at cleaning a stylus, something I have confirmed when comparing various stylii under binoculars (a stereo microscope), an argument can still be made against it as it likely contains an amount of alcohol.<\/p>\n In my experience, the effect of using alcohol to clean a stylus or an LP is very similar in that both can make the sound a little cool, hard, or dry. To this day, I still need to find concrete evidence on whether this means that the true nature of the record is revealed or that the alcohol actually has a drying-out effect. But I have strong suspicions that at least the cooling effect is temporary. In any event, sonic aspects aside, it is recommended to be careful cleaning stylii with any fluid that contains alcohol for the reasons listed in the Purpose section.<\/p>\n After having again cleaned the stylus with a hard brush and a drop of Quality Service fluid, having confirmed that the music still sounded as we expected, and having played a few tracks from a dirty record, I treated the stylus with LAST.<\/p>\n Now, here was a result that we could all get behind! The LAST fluid cleaned the stylus apparently just as well as the Quality Service fluid but introduced none of the pace-slowing, transient-rounding, or expression-reducing artifacts of the four dry-cleaning methods, yet, it also showed none of the cooling or hardening effects of the Quality Service fluid. The treble was still open and airy, yet more delicate and refined, almost as if the resolution of the recording had increased.<\/p>\n Needless to say, the LAST fluid is now the preferred solution!<\/p>\n In closing, I should note that the dry-cleaning methods do work in that they clean the stylus. But I suspect that they all leave some trace residue on the stylus which translates to an audible side effect. Then again, this residue can evidently be cleaned off again using a hard brush and some cleaning fluid. Or, as it seems, even with the LAST fluid, which has a soft brush.<\/p>\n No doubt, to be continued…<\/p>\n See also the Longevity section in the Phono Cartridge Stylus Shapes<\/a> article for more info on cartridge maintenance.<\/p>\n Associated Equipment<\/a><\/p>\n LAST: Kempelektroniks<\/a>Purpose<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A9972_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOnzow ZeroDust<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A9969_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDS Audio ST-50<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A9970_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A9982_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDynavox NRG30<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A9987_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A9977_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWinyl One-Touch Polymer<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A9989_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A0005_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A9991_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLAST stylus cleaner<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A9995_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Test<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A0020_rotated_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A0019_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A0025_rotated_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A0022_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSo now what?<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A0029_550pix.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSaved for last: Last<\/h3>\n
Where to buy:<\/h3>\n
\nDynavox NRG30: Amazon<\/a>
\nOnzow: Amazon<\/a>
\nDS Audio ST-50: Kempelektroniks<\/a>
\nWinyl: Hi-Stands<\/a><\/p>\n \r\n Related Posts<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Thorens-TAS1500-TAS1600-4X3A7277_750pix.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Thorens TAS 1500 and TAS 1600 <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/AT-OC9XML-en-AT-OC9XSL_4X3A4472_v2_750pix.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Audio Technica AT-OC9XML and AT-OC9XSL MC Cartridges <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Denon_DP-3000NE_4X3A4307_750pix.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Denon DP-3000NE Direct-Drive Turntable with DL-103, DL-103R, and DL-A110 Cartridges <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/AVID_BORON_4X3A0195_750pix.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n AVIDHIFI BORON MC Cartridge <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stylus_Cleaners_4X3A9967_750pix.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ZYX_Bloom3_IMG_6059_750pix-2.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Thorens_AT33Sa_IMG_4320_750pix.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Nagaoka_MP-150_IMG_3966_750pix.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n