FLUX HiFi Sonic - electric needle cleaner works wonders

Okay. A RCWM is definitely a proven way to reduce static, cleaning the grooves and dust but a real sharp, clean stylus will definitely pick up more signals from these grooves as a stylus with dirt baked on it. Static will always remain a problem. So ideally would be both Record Washing Machine and the Sonic Flux !
Knowing me I am too lazy to wash a record and wait till it's dry before playing it, esp. as I play parts of albums or trax and may change my mind quickly , when I notice I am not really in the right mood for that album - just nothing that would help me listen to Vinyl more. Cleaning the stylus, so I am sure the LP plays thru till the end without too much dust picked up eases my mind, takes just 5 seconds, I can live with that.
But to each his own - if you like washing records and can spend the money for a good RCW - fine. Best are those Clearaudios, that clean both sides at once. Look great too but cost 2 grand plus...

 

Sorry for bumping an old topic, but has anyone been using this device for a considerable amount of time?

 

I haven't bought one yet - no RCWM either BUT I noticed that more suppliers over here and I think even a UK and US Audio web store have that item on sale, so it is not just an overnight gimmick but something useful.
To those who still love their old electric erasers and argue about prices. If you paid 125 Dollars in the 70ies do you math and compare other items prices now 40 years later and you end up wasy over 100 dollar. And this looks better and works better.
I know how great a new cart can sound. I once worked in a Reggae Bar in Cologne and replaced the pretty cheap carts - smae model - and that one guy asked me if we had a new system. A sharp + clean diamond precisely cut gathers so much more information out of the groove that a worn out, dusty or worse sticky (from cleaning fluid residues) stylus. Another huge advantage is that a sharp stylus will not pick up dust as fast as a stylus just superficially cleaned. Not even a washed LP can help the stylus like that. Of course it is best to use both. A RCWM and a Sonic FLUX or whatever type of stylus cleaner works best for you. That GEL thing is probably not bad but costs 79 Euro already- so spending 50 bucks more might be worth. I am sure a good dealer will show you how it works and give you an honest opinion.
That is why I posted this in the first place. I bought mn new THORENST D 206 for 799 NEW (!) 25 anniversary deal. from that shop and I always got helpful in depth + fast responses to my questions regarding carts and more. They are specialiszed in analog audio and so far their videos only showed great gear. They do not sell junk - only brands they believe in...
SG Akustic/Phono.de
Der Hifi Shop für High End und Heimkino | SG AKUSTIK » HiFi
Der Hifi Shop für High End und Heimkino | SG AKUSTIK » Turntables,carts and more analog goodies..
Just saw that the FLUX is reduced from 149 to 129 and is a top seller next to the REGA QUEN edition and the Thorens TD 206 with a DENON DL-103 for 998....
Der Plattenspieler Shop für HiFi und High End | FONO.DE »

 

doing a lot of vinyl cleaning lately and I noticed my stylus still pulling up a lot of junk. The cleaning brushes are annoying. The directions say to brush from back to front and thats where the build gets stuck the most. sometimes it takes more work than it should getting that build up off and brushing from one direction doesnt effectively clean the whole diamond. The potential to damage the cantilever freaks me out too.

Thanks for the link TS. This is something I can totally find a use for.

 

Exactly ! These rigid brushes must be used carefully and still there is no guarantee that a complete LP side will be picked up without a bunch of dust around the stylus. So if the FLUX can solve that problem it is worth buying. If I played more Vinyl than I do atm I would put that on my priority list. Many folks spend more on a Cinch or a power cord - for those this should be a no brainer - but best try out at a good dealer's shop or order with a 2 week return option - don't believe the hype , try before you buy !

 

Would love to get other reviews of this.

 

I have been using one of these units for a year with my Soundsmith Carmen cartridge. The Flux HiFi is no joke. It's way better than a stylus brush and the Zerodust that I used to use. In fact, I gave away my Zerodust after having the Flux for six months. Using it is like taking a film off of the recording. No damage to the diamond or cantilever from what I can tell either. It doesn't replace an RCM, but it's great when used in tandem with one. Not a bargain, but money well spent.

 

Wonder if you can use this on a madake cartrige?

 

Any others with long term experience of this device?

 

Can I bump this one more time? It's been a couple of years and I too am wondering if those who own one are still satisfied.

 

I still use mine after every record and it still works great.

 

My decades-old Discwasher stylus fluid finally ran out (I didn’t use it for many years until I started listening to vinyl again a few years ago). So, I decided to try Flux. I just received it today from Music Direct. It does seem to do a wonderful job cleaning the stylus. But, I have a strange problem.

As soon as I turn it on, the stylus slides off to the edge of the pad, toward my right and away from the spindle. It stops at the rim of the hole where the pad sits. I thought my turntable wasn’t balanced, but I checked and it’s fine. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I wonder if holding the tonearm in place while the Flux is running will cause any problems. I’ll also contact Flux and ask about it. Thanks.

 

I tried again this morning, and it didn't slide. Maybe I had it positioned wrong. Anyway, move along, nothing to see here folks.

 

Where does the schmutz go? Is it absorbed into the pad, and thus the pad eventually needs to be replaced? Or maybe it’s disintegrated like the victim of a phaser set on full, or maybe it’s transported into a parallel universe?

 

This is indeed a nice question...I use my FLUX since many months and when the pad is dirty and full of fluff, i use a little brush to clean it.

 

No issues here, had a mine a good while- it really does the muck of your stylus, very well made and sooooo easy to use, as some other member said price is bit of a drag.

 

I put the stylus carefully on the pad before turning on the Flux. I just read the instructions again, and it states to turn the Flux on, then lower the stylus on the pad.

It seems that my method is safer. Any opinions?

 

I've seen videos both ways. I think the manufacturers video showed turning it on first.