[kingsleyfox]

I thought that I would post this info, even though it is mostly a re-hash of my reply to the posts on the stylus residue questions.

For cleaning second hand records that I acquire I have settled on a homemade solution of 5% Iso-Propyl Alcohol, 95% Demineralised water with a few drops of Ilfotol (a wetting agent made by Ilford primarily for use during film development) which I use in a Knosti Disco Antistat. I find that this is an extremely effective cleaning solution, removes static and does not lead to a build up of stylus residue. I am aware of the ‘controversy’ regarding the use of alcohol and to guard against damage to my vinyl so use a second Knosti bath to rinse the cleaned record (before it has dried) in demineralised water (again with a few drops of Ilfotol). I have literally cleaned thousands of records using this arrangement over the last 10 years with great results and no adverse effects. I use this approach with all second hand discs that I buy and for ones in my collection (of ~5000 albums) that haven’t been cleaned for a number of years.

I also have an Okki Nokki cleaning machine, which I use with either L’Art du Son or Demineralised water with a few drops of Tergitol and Ilfotol. I use the Okki Nokki with new records, discs from my collection that I haven’t cleaned for a while and as a finishing step after the Knosti process (if judged to be required). I do recommend the Okki Nokki, but find that it is not as effective as the Knosti for cleaning to the bottom of the grooves of dirty second hand records.

If just want to clean one mildly dirty disc, and don’t want the hassle of setting up the Knosti or getting out the Okki Knokki, I use a Groove Washer (as recommended by Sound Matters!) which I find effective. On a historical note, I still have the original Discwasher version – which still works well after 45 years (although my stocks of the cleaning solution are almost gone).

[kingsleyfox]

Hi,
I experienced the build up of debris on my stylus when I first used my Knosti. However, through experimentation I found that the stylus debris problem was associated with the supplied Knosti cleaning solution. I have settled on a homemade solution of 5% Iso-Propyl Alcohol, 95% Demineralised water with a few drops of Ilfotol (a wetting agent made by Ilford primarily for use during film development). I find that this is an extremely effective cleaning solution, removes static and does not lead to a build up of stylus residue. I am aware of the ‘controversy’ regarding the use of alcohol and to guard against damage to my vinyl use a second Knosti bath to rinse the cleaned record (before it has dried) in demineralised water (again with a few drops of Ilfotol). I have literally cleaned thousands of records using this arrangement over the last 10 years with great results and no adverse effects. I use this approach with all second hand discs that I buy and for ones in my collection (of ~5000 albums) that haven’t been cleaned for a number of years.
I also have an Okki Nokki cleaning machine, which I use with either L’Art du Son or Demineralised water with a few drops of Tergitol and Ilfotol. I use the Okki Nokki with new records, discs from my collection and as a finishing step after the Knosti process (if judged to be required). I do recommend the Okki Nokki, but find that it is not as effective as the Knosti for cleaning to the bottom the grooves of dirty second hand records.
If just want to clean one mildly dirty disc, and don’t want the hassle of setting up the Knosti or getting out the Okki Knokki, I use a Groove Washer which I find effective. On a historical note, I still have the original Discwasher version – which still works well after 45 years (although my stocks of the cleaning solution are almost gone).

[kingsleyfox]

I am a bit of a vinyl addict and currently have 17 turntables (15 of which are fully operational). This means that I have a large number of cartridges (more than one per deck!).
I use the Audio Technic ATVM95 range of MM cartridges extensively, mainly due to the general quality and the flexibility of having a range of five interchangeable styli. This allows me to use the bonded elliptical ATVM95E for reviewing 2nd hand vinyl prior to putting it up for sale on Discogs, which I can then change for a microline or a shibata stylus for personal listening.
My favourite deck is a Garrard 301 in a custom plinth, fitted with an Origin Live Encounter arm and the Audio Technica ATOC9XEN MC cartridge. I find that this set-up gives a very detailed soundstage, but also with a generally warm sound. This set-up tracks all of the HI-FI Sound test record tests at the recommended tracking weight of 2g and also seems to minimise the effects of minor surface noise.
Amongst others, I also have an Ortofon Quintet Red MC and 2M Blue MM on other decks, both of which I like.