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I wonder if the similar Audio-Technica (AT617a) is also affected.

...will it still affect the groove ride? Or is this sheathing (for want of a better word!) actually part of the Onzow concept?

I'm also curious as to how, without fairly shoving the cartridge knee-deep into the Onzow bath, there is any contact between Onzow and cantilever to begin with.

I've been using an Onzow for the past few months (fortunately only on a cheap-as-chips DL103), but I've noticed that the stylus now picks up much less dust than it did before. I wonder if that's actually by virtue of the, ahem, prophylactic nature of the substance.

I had one of these when they were the rage years ago.After a while , it just did not seem to work.The stylus always seemed to attract even more crap,so I stopped using it.Recently, I found the little ,cool, empty plastic box in a drawer.It made me recount it's use and I started to think, if the space age polymer attracted dust and crap,shouldn't it also be attracted to the surface of the needle in small amounts and after multiple uses it would build up on the surface and create the same issues it is trying to alleviate.Interesting... Cheers,Chet

Wow!

I've been using the DS Audio cleaning pad for a few years, which I really like.

But when my previous cartridge started distorting I bought a USB microscope to take a look and it was absolutley covered in a strange gunk. I had no idea what it was and it was virtually impossible to get off - certainly more dips on the DS pad didn't help. The only thing that cleaned a bunch of it off was an Ultra Sonic stylus cleaner. I had to replace the cartridge anyway, as it was near the end of it's life, but I've been using the DS cleaner on my new cartridge and this article makes me think I'll stop.

I've never used anything else to clean my stylus before. Is a brush with Audio Intelligent cleaner a good enough replacement for the DS Audio pad? Or does it make sense to keep using the pad but clean it with a brush/AI once in a while to (hopefully) keep the residue off?

on my Ortofon cartridges, together with the brush my Ortofons came with. I'll have to rethink the Onzow, but it would be interesting to hear comments/rebuttal from the makers of Onzow.

I use the DS Audio ST-50 and Hifi flux sonic cleaner.
I use the DS Audio ST-50 after both sides of an LP and the Hifi flux after each listening session.

I have never had any issue that I have notice and I intend in carrying on with my cleaning regime.

I’ve dropped my stylus on the Onzow gel after every play & was about to try the alternative drum gels. I thought the maker of Ortofon doesn’t recommend using liquid solvents? I’d love to hear of any other recommendations.

The evidence appears to be missing, unfortunately. Broken, linked images.

Peter Lederman of Sound-Smith has always recommended using rather inexpensive Blue Stik Adhesive Putty in the same manner as one would use the Onzow. Does contact with this alternative product also cause problems?

i do use a zerodust semi often (like every week or two of records if i listen to like 1 a day... all my LPs are clean so mostly safe) and one of my major issues is still that there is a problem of my hands.. my dads family has an issue with tremors so my hands are overly shaky and on something as important as a cantilever i would probably easily break the stylus with either a brush or moving a zero stat a bit too much. any tips to help with this (even though in the coming years i plan on upgrading from my uturn orbit to a project or mofi)?

Shouldn’t they (or their distributor) have a chance to respond? That would be proper etiquette for a journalist, no?

Haven’t people been using this product for years with great results? As troubling as the magnified images appear, does it actually matter or affect play? Surely if it did we would have heard about issues with the product, right? From what I’ve gathered the analog community has pretty much unanimously endorsed the Zerodust

After buying a Sound Smith cartridge and being warned against the Zerodust, I stopped using mine. At their recommendation, I mostly use blu-tak for visible lint, and once a week or so, the Audio Intelligent stylus cleaner, which I've been very happy with. When I'm playing clean records (also Audio Intelligent), I see little need for cleaning the stylus.

I had issues with the Zerodust as it aged, and it did begin to leave a residue on my needle. However, the DS audio seems to be a very different substance. Harder and sticker than Zerodust, not to mention only the tip of the diamond touches the material as its lowered onto the pad. As a precaution, I will periodically clean with my Last stylus cleaner and stiff brush.

It would have been nice if you contacted Zerodust before dropping this article. The only proof offered are a few photos from WAMM Engineering. We don’t know anything about that stylus, what other substances may have been used on it besides Zerodust or even the motives of WAMM in offering this to you. A pretty circumstantial case, I’d say. You seem to be doing the same thing you accuse Mike of from In The Groove- defaming a company, in this case Zerodust. (I expect to hear from your faithful defender, Analog Scott any minute.

This is my Denon DL-103 after 4 months of regular but careful Onzow ZeroDust application and no use of any other solutions/special brushes:

https://i.ibb.co/VJyKknQ/Before.jpg

Looks pretty clean to me.

I then dunked the cartridge into the Onzow bath and took another photo immediately thereafter:

https://i.ibb.co/1ZH9rVz/After.jpg

To my eye, there is no discernible difference and in both cases they cantilever and stylus are in fine fettle. This has put my mind at ease somewhat!

I'll have to say; have been a faithful user for years. Lyra with 2k+ hours was ck'd couple of years ago by reputable rebuilder. Nothing mentioned other than; some dust on coils & cart/stylus still in good condition. Currently have my Paua w/approx 1200hrs into Soundsmith for a ck up. Will be VERY curious what's said.

Ok, if you don’t like the word DEFAME, how about TARNISH or SULLY. Clearly, that could be the effect of your article. Word will spread and people will stop buying Zerodust. You will have tarnished the reputation of a reputable company without solid evidence. Yes, I looked at the photos. Do you really believe a substantive case could be made that continued use of Zerodust could be harmful to your stylus or simply ineffective just on the basis of these photos alone? Don’t you think other tests are indicated before you title a piece TIME TO PUT ZERODUST AWAY? And, yes, I saw the question mark, which does little to minimize the suggestion that this is an ineffective product, one, by the way, you formerly endorsed. Sorry, but several posted photos do not a case make.

What you could have done is sent these photos to Onzow first, asking them to do some verifiable testing and asking for a timely response. That would have been the responsible thing to do before writing an article suggesting that this product may not do what it purports to do.

I got gifted one of these on one of my purchases.

I tried it but as I am long in the tooth and somehow channel Joe Cocker when I am around delicate cartridges I used it once and gave it away. Based on this article and reflection I am glad I did,

I am sticking with my tried and true LAST stylus cleaner and Stylast. Great products and have stood the test of time, at least in my experience.

Has there been warnings about this leaving residue also?

Did WAM know or say anything about how old the zerodust is that caused this? The reason I ask is about the possibility that after a while the material starts breaking down due to age. I have been using one for a long time and this is concerning to say the least. At your recommendation I have ordered some audio intelligent fluid and will use that from now on in addition my flux hifi unit.

Over the years we have heard from numerous 'experts' in the analog field that there are all kinds of 'no no's' when it comes to stylus cleaning. I clearly remember those very same people telling everyone that the Last Stylus can migrate up the cantilever and cause problems. Then we heard that the same cleaner can damage the glue that is used to hold the stylus. We heard that US cleaning of the cantilever and stylus can damage the coils, we then heard that using BluTac is not recommended ( if I remember correctly it was due to the possibility of BluTac dislodging the cantilever assembly)...and on and on.
Now we hear that the Zerodust can leave a deposit on the stylus, which if one really looks carefully, could be from any number of various culprits...from the vinyl formulation, to the use of a cleaning brush leaving behind a CF strand, to residue left from the inner sleeve and on and on!

Maybe a better question would be to ask..and verify, IF a reduction in SQ is heard by any of thee 'deposits'...and then IF the answer is 'yes' to go about a more scientific process of 'cause and effect'...rather than assuming anything! Just IMHO.

How long has this product been out?

Has anybody ever reported hearing an issue?

We've been caught pants down.

_

Can we get pics of a Stylast treated needle? They actually claim to stick to the needle. This being Hi Fi and all, I bet they don't and this stylus cleaner does!

-

I have only ever used a dry brush.

Maybe it's time for the good Professor Kirmuss to step in and get it right.

HOLY CRAP, BATMAN! I bought an Onzow not long ago and started using it on a new cartridge. Music Direct says (or said) they used one at their place, along with periodic cleaning with their LP#9 cleaner. The attraction of the Onzow, for me, like many other vinyl spinners, I'm sure, especially us geezer types, was that you didn't have to trust not so rock-steady hands to a stylus brush. Also, can't say the reviews about liquid cleaners migrating up to the cantilever (and worse) and affecting the stylus bond instilled me with a great deal of confidence, either. I'm going to absolutely hate going back to a stylus brush & liquid cleaner and holding my breathe like a special ops sniper before squeezing off a round to clean my stylus! This conundrum cries out for a solution, a new invention!

"An analysis of the residue shows it is not silicone but rather a polymer of some sort." Like, maybe, Polyvinyl Chloride? Like, maybe, LP shavings? What's on a brand spanking new stylus that's never been cleaned before, after playing a clean LP? Now, we just gotta now what the goop is and what that stubborn residue is!

As always, thanks Mike!

Every few years a bunch of bad stuff comes out about a trusted product. In some cases it is warranted, in others it is not and nothing more than a marketing hit job.
In this case, it may be warranted. I have an Onzow purchased several years ago, however, for some reason I have only used it perhaps 4 or 5 times. I usually use a piece of plain Magic Eraser (Poorman's Onzow back in the day). I do not use a microscope to inspect my styli as I do not have time for that depth. I do inspect using a powerful magnifier.
I usually use either the peice of M.E. or a dry brush. My styli and cantilevers appear quite clean as I keep them that way.
I do not like LAST products for the very reason argued here and having most needles bonded to cantilevers I do not want to risk it with having the adhesive dissolved. (Phono cartridges are not cheap anymore). I do not use any fluid stylus cleaner.
I have not tried the AIVS Stylus fluid......yet. I do use their record cleaning fluids exclusively (I know how they are made and what is in them), for initial chemical treatment.
In conversations with JD in the past, I also believe he knows his stuff and what he is doing and I have no reason to question him yet if ever.
Based on this article and the attached information, I conclude that Magic Eraser is a better or safer choice as it a dry brush. I will look into the AIVS stylus cleaner.

I meant JR not JD - fat finger syndrome

I also use a ME. If I buy a TT with a used cart, I clean with Discwasher brush & just damped with liquid stylus cleaner and then dip into the ME. Used this for years with no seeming ill effect.

Conspiracy theorist will always be that, deny the undeniable despite of the scientific evidence.
COVID vaccines are a way for Bill Gates to inject a chip, the new COVID variant is a tool for the Democrats to cheat on the upcoming elections, the January 6th was a walk in a peaceful park, the world leading authority in viruses is equated to a Josef Mengele...
Granted I am not from the USA but still makes me wander what are some of you smoking on that side of the pond! It is clearly not pot :)

JR and Mike thank you for posting this article, very useful to most reasonable minds.
What liquid cleaner would you recommend? I keep my records very clean but still my styluses need to be cleaned every so often.

Cleaning records is obvious, but how often should a needle be cleaned and is sticky stuff such as Blu-tac and liquids other than distilled water not taking a gamble with the expensive cartridge?

Would the concern or audible impact be less for a spherical or elliptical vs microline, shibata, etc?

I'm really wondering why this 'story' occurs just before Christmas and the beginning of the gift shopping war. There is always someone who want to sell his own products in the 'gift range of price' or wants to advertise himself with some kind of 'breaking news'. I doubt every picture of this crappy stylus has _alone_ to do with Onzow's product because of these catchy 'There are other images...' or *an analysis...' or 'Further...' Why is this 'story' official _before_ these additional pictures are shown and _before_ these analysis is made? And yes, they were on the moon!

Gels do chemically oxidize and break down. I am not shocked by what you’re showing here.

Lederman actually recommends using blu-tack. I thought it was crazy, but after trying it I think it makes a lot of sense. You push a little ball of blu-tack onto a quarter coin, then put the coin on the platter and carefully lower the stylus onto the putty. The stylus sinks into the blu-tack but that’s it. Pull the stylus up with the cueing lever, then move the coin a bit and lower it again. Can do this a couple of times. Really works.

Do make sure you never move the coin while the stylus is resting on the putty!!!

I use London/Decca cartridges. John Wright who builds them recommends using once a month or so cleaning fluid for eyeglasses and placing a small drop on the diamond stylus, then after about 30 seconds wipe it off with a soft brush.
Jewellers use "jeweller's rouge" which is like hard plasticine or blue tac for cleaning their gems. I flattened a small quantity in the lid of a Kodak film can. I place it on the platter and gently lower the cartridge in it a couple of times. I don't have a digital microscope to see what is going on.

I spent a long time chatting with JR at CAF 2021 and listened to one of his lectures. I have been an Analog guy since the late 1970s and he put the fear of G-d in me about cartridges, cantilevers, and styli. Why should we even bother? Is it time to switch to digital?

Hi Stephen here from Soul to Sole Audio.... I am the New Zealand DS Audio Distributor and Aki has been made aware of the comments, regarding his ST-50 Stylus Cleaning Pads, that have been dragged into this conversation about Zerodust.

Here is the info he has posted:

"DS Audio designed and manufactures our ST-50 stylus cleaner for numerous good reasons. Before developing the ST-50, many people used a liquid-type cleaning brush with resulting problems such as compromising stylus adhesive and oxidation of metal parts. There were instances of customers damaging the stylus/cantilever using a small brush for the cleaning or impacting the cartridge suspension by brushing incorrectly.
This is why we developed the ST-50 pad-type stylus cleaner. It is mechanically safer and there is no chemical fluid that may damage the cartridge. The shape of the pad and its low profile allows you to cue down the stylus gently on the pad with no cantilever contact.

We specifically chose a lab grade of urethane gel that is ether based. The two basic formulations of urethane, ester and ether, have some important differences. Water attacks ester-based urethane, causing a significant reduction in physical properties. Ether urethanes exhibit far superior hydrolytic stability (water not reacting with another chemical), especially in humid environments. Ether-based materials also resist fungus growth better than ester-based materials."

Michael,

I've been using the Onzow between LP sides to minimize liquid cleaner application based on concerns about stylus/cantilever damage from too much liquid usage.

I am going to try cleaning off my stylus and move to a liquid only model based on this article. Does a bristle brush like the one that comes with LP9 suffice, or did you use something more aggressive?

Michael,

I've been using the Onzow between LP sides to minimize liquid cleaner application based on concerns about stylus/cantilever damage from too much liquid usage.

I am going to try cleaning off my stylus and move to a liquid only model based on this article. Does a bristle brush like the one that comes with LP9 suffice, or did you use something more aggressive?

This particular video just came up on my feed -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQCkN8K2rC8 from Anadialog.. I had never heard of the product ..but the guy didn't convince me, his canteliever and stylus of all his carts are dirty like he's doing mobile DJing in the jungle man.. like what the.. and there is this yellowish substance all over his cant..along with other things, totally causing insulation / dampening of the signal on the pipe.. that is something that many are not clear about, both diamond and cant should be clean as shown in this great article. I'm personally not into liquid slime to clean things. SMH

This comment string was an eye opener and caused me to reexamine long held beliefs. I own a Pro-ject X2 and always cleaned my Sumiko Moonstone with the Oznow. I read the article above as well as the comments. I was in the camp of commenters who thought that Oznow's reputation was being impeached. But after a moment, I realized that I have two Moonstones to compare, one is four weeks old and only and regularly cleaned with Oznow. The other was brand new and I endeavoured only to clean it with a Pro-ject stylus brush. I examined both with a high powered microscope. The results were alarming and clear! The Oznow rendered the stylus 'gunked up' without the pristine, conical and shiny look of the brushed Moonstone. I learned much about stylus cleaning and my own bias in the process.

I am not sure what people are trying to achieve when they come up with all sorts of conditions that have to be fullfilled before some legitimate research can be published. And no i am not concerned about bussiness reputation, if they have argument or proof to counter assertions then let them do so! the ball is now in their court.
Regarding stylus cleaning this is entirely relevant to record condition what a stylus collects-you need to think here.
Fluff a gentle brush and after a few records and allways when finishing i dip the brush in Metholated Spirits evaporating cleaners do NOT GO ANYWHERE!
You do not need to experiment with money making gadgets and fluids.
I have used this method on a original Linn Troika for 30yrs catilever and stylus are super clean so is no harm to it.
If anyone whishes to believe any or all commercial stylus cleaners are perfect-then so be it. Richard Tremain Australia

We had to stop sipping our ZERODUST to oversea customers since April 2020 because of the covid-19 affecting in the rise on the freight charge, but we decided to deliver our product using EMS.
Please note that we did not stop selling our product because of the article by Michael Framer.

https://onzow-e.japan-onlinestores.com/

Dear Michael Fremer

I am Akira Ishibashi CEO of ONZOW Labo.
I want to hear your prompt opinion for not having made any notice to us before posting the article dated November 28th and 29th 2021, especially when your information provided by WAM Engineering was still under investigation.
You’ve also received a few comments advising you to contact us, we have been waiting for contact from the day you posted those articles but you remained silent.

What is your responsibility of your media, especially when you target to criticize is a specific product, and how will you take responsibility for our financial damages due to the misinformation you led to our product ONZOW ZERODUST.

For users led by this misinformation, no plasticizer is contained in our product and is absolutely safe to use, we are proud of our product.

Akira Ishibashi CEO of ONZOW Labo.

I have the HiFi Flux, Last 4 & 5 (Stylast), a trimmed "Art Dudley" sable art brush, as well as the DS Audio ST-50.

I just purchased the ST-50 in early April and after a few weeks I find it to be effective for fibers or threads wrapped around the stylus.

I primarily use the cut sable brush after every side. It's ultra-gentle, imo and a perfect balance of flexibility. I also feel that Stylast does remove some dust debris as well, though it's job is a treatment. My proof of floating dust is in the half-full bottles after many months (now much less- prior to the sable brush usage over 15 years ago. It used to look like a little snow-globe in there!).

I think audiophiles have enough experience and sense to take all opinions and trust their own cognition for how they view the information given here. Multiple opinions matter.

I also trust Michael and JR. I needed to read this as I did invest a lot into my cartridge, and without that info, there isn't much outside of ignorance.

I think I may use the gel dust remover for occasional use when I can see a thread wrapped around the stylus and just keep to my normal regimen.

I would like to know how long it takes before gel 'hardening' sets in from the oxidation process, if anyone has experience.

Although I have never used the gel type cleaners, I can certainly see the concern from the images posted. Not sure if it could be from overuse, material failure / expired / old etc. The residue left behind looks like it may be difficult to remove. My own regimen has always been to just use the stiff bristle brush that came with all my Orotofon carts with excellent results.