positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/ds-audio-vinyl-ionizer-ion-001

What say you?

"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]

I really need one of those!

Oh well, if I win lotto...

I've not had much in the way of static problems, over the years.

Maybe because I use carbon fibre anti-static brush?
Maybe because the weather in Akld is usually so humid ?
Maybe because I no longer use full-contact platter mats?

Of course, ultrasonic cleaning your records, esp with non-ionic surfactant, will rid the vinyl of built-up -ve charges.

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

no static problems here until i started using the gunmetal turntable mat.

Fake news. Man alive if you blokes are considering this surely you need to be admitted...

My eyes lit up when I saw the heading on the post, mostly because Id just returned from taking my Furutech Destat III into my local HiFi emporium to report it had apparently given up the will to live. After much sucking of teeth and a phone call to the Aussie distributors who declared "that's never happened before" it looks like I may be in the market for a new static removal device. I am not amused because the thing was only a couple of years old and cost around $600 from memory.

For reasons I can't fully explain my vinyl seems to be highly susceptible to static issues , the loud crackling and raising arm hair variety.

But US$1800? ... gulp!

Hi bruise...

- Do you use carbon fibre anti-static brush?
- Where do you live?
- What platter mats do you have?
- Do you wet-clean records?
- What TT do you have?

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Hi Owen,

I have a brush but I have mostly used the Destat device.

I live in Wellington

See the introduction post for TT and mat info & photos

I wet clean using a Knosti and then Vacuum dry using a Nitty Gritty ... I suspect the vacuum cleaner isn't helping the static issue although the combination of the Knosti and vacuum is very effective for cleaning.

I've always had static problems, and live in Auckland, use a carbon fiber brush which I've scraped the paint off to create an earth, clean with US machine, use anti static sleeves.

Also currently using a metal platter I believe it's three same as MW but it doesn't seem any worse than with other mats.

Having said that, the static is not a huge problem but it is still present.

Not had problems with static since I started using the ultrasonic RCM about four years ago. Do use an antistatic brush (Project) from time to time, but only to clear
Away visible dust.

Jun 29, 2020 17:26:36 GMT 12 bruise said:

See the introduction post for TT and mat info & photos

Ah yes sorry, Timestep SL-1200.
With a plastic type mat I see.
I liked the Resomat on our SL-1210. (Minimal contact surface.)

Further thoughts.... there is micro-movement with 'stylus drag' on the record groove, which is not constant & is not uni-directional. So, this friction & 'scrubbing' likely generates some static charge. Vinyl is not a good conductor & such charges accumulate.

Hopefully your SL-1200 chassis is still grounded to your new SME arm's tonearm cable ground wire?
Otherwise the TT (chassis/bearing/platter) is ungrounded.

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Thanks Qwen, The mat is an Oyaide MJ-12, its made of aluminium.

I'll run a check on the grounding .. I'd be surprised if it isn't sorted, it was set up by Charles Thompson.

Can't say I have had problems with static in years. Purchased a Zerostat gun about 15 years ago and only used it a couple of times.
The Project rcm fluid seems to deal effectively to the very occasional pop and crackle.
I don't use a mat, lp sits directly on the acrylic platter.

Jun 29, 2020 17:30:03 GMT 12 Citroen said:

I've always had static problems, and live in Auckland, use a carbon fiber brush which I've scraped the paint off to create an earth, clean with US machine, use anti static sleeves.

Also currently using a metal platter I believe it's three same as MW but it doesn't seem any worse than with other mats.

Having said that, the static is not a huge problem but it is still present.

a new audioquest record brush helps but my old herbie mat was totally static free.

can you still buy zerostats ?

Jun 30, 2020 10:12:59 GMT 12 michaelw said:

Jun 29, 2020 17:30:03 GMT 12 Citroen said:

I've always had static problems, and live in Auckland, use a carbon fiber brush which I've scraped the paint off to create an earth, clean with US machine, use anti static sleeves.

Also currently using a metal platter I believe it's three same as MW but it doesn't seem any worse than with other mats.

Having said that, the static is not a huge problem but it is still present.

a new audioquest record brush helps but my old herbie mat was totally static free.

can you still buy zerostats ?

Yep, but not cheap. Think I paid about $50 for mine

www.listeningpost.co.nz/Products/Accessories/Turntables-record-player-vinyl-phono-Needle-Stylus/Zerostat-3-Antistatic-Static-Gun-MI0060M-Vinyl-__I.74933__C.27523__N.27756

I have a Zerostat, which does reduce static on really bad records but frankly is a pain too use. Quicker results had after a clean/brush.

One of my recommended tweaks is to connect an earth wire to the chassis of the turntable. My KD600 actually has an earthwire connection to the chassis, have also seen them on Thorens decks. I also fitted one to my Michell. Its cheap easy and it works.

Jun 29, 2020 21:41:11 GMT 12 bruise said:

Thanks Qwen, The mat is an Oyaide MJ-12, its made of aluminium.

I'll run a check on the grounding .. I'd be surprised if it isn't sorted, it was set up by Charles Thompson.

Let us know how you get on...

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Jun 30, 2020 12:28:58 GMT 12 cartridgeguyonline said:

One of my recommended tweaks is to connect an earth wire to the chassis of the turntable. My KD600 actually has an earthwire connection to the chassis, have also seen them on Thorens decks. I also fitted one to my Michell. Its cheap easy and it works.

Aura has an earth from centre spindle

Jul 4, 2020 10:49:43 GMT 12 Owen Y said:

Jun 29, 2020 21:41:11 GMT 12 bruise said:

Thanks Qwen, The mat is an Oyaide MJ-12, its made of aluminium.

I'll run a check on the grounding .. I'd be surprised if it isn't sorted, it was set up by Charles Thompson.

Let us know how you get on...

Hi Owen, yes the tone arm cable is earthed.

The static issue is more of a minor irritant than a major drama for me. I've learned to work around it. Occasionally I forget and there will be a snap/crackle/pop.

I will consider what to do when i learn the fate of my Destat 111.

Jul 5, 2020 13:00:21 GMT 12 bruise said:

Hi Owen, yes the tone arm cable is earthed.

Just to be clear, you should find that the TT platter is electrically connected to the tonearm (using say a continuity multimeter).

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

I have found the best way to ensure that a turntable does not have a hum, ground loop, or static charge is to earth the chassis and platter to the mains and the tonearm separately to the preamp.
I make sure the tonearm is completely isolated/insulated from the chassis. This will result in a totally silent background even on full volume as the two circuits are completely isolated from each other.

Tis true what Graham says, but on the SL-1200, the TT chassis top plate is I think, Grounded to the tonearm phono cable shield.

ie. the TT motor circuit is separately Earthed to the mains.

So, if someone has installed a non-Technics tonearm, they MAY not have Gnded the TT top chassis/platter again.

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com