Cleansing

Stylus cleaning is always an important issue when it comes to audio neuroticism. In the past I have used Lyra SPT, Mofi carbon fibre brushes, an Onzow Zerodust and more recently a vibrating pad thing from Fluxsonic. I had read of the concerns with the Onzow product leaving residue on the stylus and cantilever over time, so that had been relegated to the spare bits box. I always thought it was a really good idea though, so when DS Audio released their version of it, the ST-50, I grabbed one.

Certainly not an inexpensive option though at 150 NZ shekels, it is pretty slick.
It is a washable elastomer in a fancy little metal box. To stop it sliding around it has a small leather pad on the bottom.
It seems to work in the same way as the Onzo, in that grime is collected from the stylus after you lower it onto the elastomer pad. Its not as rounded and bouncy as the Onzo thankfully so a much more positive and less nerve wracking process. Definitely a useful addition to my toolkit.

DS Audio blurb:
“The ST-50 Stylus cleaner is equipped with a micro-dust cleaning gel specially designed for laboratory clean- room applications. The ST-50’ s cleaning gel is made of a urethane resin developed specially for the purpose of atmospheric micro-dust control in clean rooms. Extremely effective cleaning properties are required to meet the specified standards for such applications. The ST-50 gives you the very best in stylus cleaning performance.

Many stylus cleaners apply excessive force to the stylus and cantilever during the cleaning process. The DS Audio ST-50 cleans your stylus at the tracking force set on the tone arm.

The resin can be cleaned in water and has many years of serviceable life. Simply lower and lift your cartridge onto the gel 2-3 times.”