Best record brush ?

RE: Best record brush ?, posted on May 21, 2020 at 04:49:09
PAR Audiophile Posts: 1732 Location: South London, UK Joined: June 4, 2019	I anticipate lots of recommendation for the new Audioquest brush. I am not going to do this but would recommend instead trying to find an NOS sample of the old brush which is far more efficient at removing debris if less efficient at dealing with static. The Hunt brush is also good if you know how to use it. "We need less, but better" - Dieter Rams

RE: Best record brush ?, posted on May 21, 2020 at 05:57:55

mrubey
Audiophile

Posts: 46
Location: Central Texas
Joined: May 16, 2015

I've been using the three brush Japanese Wasanbon system for four years now. It is time consuming and takes some attention but I love it and have no desire to use anything else for daily record care. Rather than explain each brush individually I'll simply include a link to a review. After four years the brushes are still in good shape but I would like to buy another set. As far as I can tell they are only available through Jico Stylus in Japan. I like this product enough that I am willing to jump through a hoop or two to acquire another set.

https://www.monoandstereo.com/2016/10/jico-stylus-wasanbon-record-cleaner.html

https://www.jico-stylus.com/

Hunt EDA VI...nt, posted on May 21, 2020 at 06:07:01
EdAInWestOC Audiophile Posts: 6828 Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA Joined: December 18, 2003	nt Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

Venerable AudioQuest carbon fiber brush., posted on May 21, 2020 at 06:30:59
Opus 33 1/3 Audiophile Posts: 4184 Location: D.C. Area Joined: February 19, 2014	Been using one for many years. Opus 33 1/3

Link here, posted on May 21, 2020 at 06:34:45

ecl876
Audiophile

Posts: 3416
Location: Bend, Oregon
Joined: January 14, 2007
Contributor
Since: January 28, 2012

May be effective but looks a little time consuming. Too complex for me.

http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/jico-record-brush-system

I've got an old AcousTech. I think it's the same brush with a different logo. nt, posted on May 21, 2020 at 06:48:03
ghost of olddude55 Audiophile Posts: 32597 Joined: July 14, 2017	nt The blissful counterstroke-a considerable new message.

Levin Design..., posted on May 21, 2020 at 07:39:49

Vinyl Valet
Audiophile

Posts: 1346
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Joined: November 13, 2003

Antil-static, effective.
Open up your mind, in pours the trash. - Meat Puppets, 1987

Levin Record Cleaning Brush

RE: Best record brush ?, posted on May 21, 2020 at 10:06:36

ecl876
Audiophile

Posts: 3416
Location: Bend, Oregon
Joined: January 14, 2007
Contributor
Since: January 28, 2012

Let's face it. From what I can see, none of the brushes, even the expensive ones with beautiful wood handles, do a really effective job. No matter what technique you use, there always seems to be some dust not captured by the brush. If your records are clean, this probably doesn't matter and will not impair the sound. But for those of us who are anal, those few specs of dust bother us. Ridiculous? Probably.

I have been experimenting with the Giotto Rocket Blower (large) used mostly for dusting camera lenses and computer parts. I've found this this be the most effective solution yet for record dust. It does, however, take some practice to get the technique down. With the record spinning, I position the bulb towards the center with the tip pointing out and then quickly squeeze several times while I swipe the bulb towards the record's edge. I do this several times. I've also tried positioning the blower at the center and angling it out towards the edge without moving it. It only takes a few seconds. I have found this to work quite well removing more dust than any brush I've used. It also is excellent for developing muscles in your forearm!

One note of caution: be careful not to touch the record or you will scratch it! I have done this already! As I indicated, I'm still experimenting. Whether I will use this all the time is unclear.

For those who say, you're just blowing the dust somewhere else, I would reply, why does it matter? There's dust everywhere; at least you're removing it from the record.

Isn't it amazing that with computers talking and men on the moon, that they haven't been able to come up with an effective solution for cleaning dust off a record?

What brush did your Levin replace? For you, did it remove dust, posted on May 21, 2020 at 11:26:10
alaskahiatt Audiophile Posts: 7508 Joined: December 9, 2000 Contributor Since: November 1, 2005	and eliminate static at the same time? Thanks.

RE: Best record brush ?, posted on May 21, 2020 at 11:40:26
Story Audiophile Posts: 10459 Location: NJ Joined: December 11, 2000	It looks like my mom's old enema dispenser. Anybody else try it on records?

RE: Best record brush ?, posted on May 21, 2020 at 11:46:10
ecl876 Audiophile Posts: 3416 Location: Bend, Oregon Joined: January 14, 2007 Contributor Since: January 28, 2012	Not sure if the Rocket is approved for this use but I suppose it couldn't hurt to try. On second thought.......

RE: Best record brush ?, posted on May 21, 2020 at 11:48:04

ecl876
Audiophile

Posts: 3416
Location: Bend, Oregon
Joined: January 14, 2007
Contributor
Since: January 28, 2012

.

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/to-clean-or-not-to-cle

RE: Best record brush ?, posted on May 21, 2020 at 12:51:11
mrubey Audiophile Posts: 46 Location: Central Texas Joined: May 16, 2015	The Wasanbon brushes clean my records of dust beautifully. I have a bright light over my TT that allows me to see any residual bits. I rarely have any. Trouble is I'm not able to find it for purchase anymore.

RE: Hunt EDA VI, posted on May 21, 2020 at 15:10:44
PAR Audiophile Posts: 1732 Location: South London, UK Joined: June 4, 2019	Yes, but as I said below you have to know how to use it. Most people who took up vinyl replay after the 1980s do not. "We need less, but better" - Dieter Rams

Furutech SK-III, posted on May 21, 2020 at 15:47:27
Hergest Audiophile Posts: 154 Location: Sydney Joined: April 4, 2017	Expensive on the face of it but lasts forever. Probably the easiest brush to use and removes dust and doesn't increase static. The Audioquest type brushes are good but can get fiddly to clear the dust especially if you've got cold hands and the new iteration with the metal bar are nowhere near as well made as the old ones and the slight design change has made them too awkward for my liking.

Ursa Major!, posted on May 21, 2020 at 15:56:50

Joe Backer
Audiophile

Posts: 1033
Joined: July 10, 2011

Got one a year or so ago and never looked back. Anti static and picks up the dust.

https://www.ursa-major.eu/shop-us

Discwasher, posted on May 21, 2020 at 16:35:56
AudioDwebe Audiophile Posts: 1910 Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: November 12, 2001	Nothing I've ever used beats a Discwasher brush with some form of liquid agent, be it no-rinse record cleaning fluid or some h2o. Nothing. "Man, that mouse is Awesome." - Kaemon (referring to Jerry, of Tom and Jerry fame)

Decca (nt), posted on May 21, 2020 at 19:45:00
bouncy ball Audiophile Posts: 1221 Location: British Columbia Joined: July 26, 2003	.

washer, posted on May 21, 2020 at 21:42:10

hifitommy
Audiophile

Posts: 15388
Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny
Joined: June 9, 2000

nope, not close. for washing records, a SpinClean is better, an ultrasonic the best, vpi type in between.

for dry brushing just before play to take off the surface dust, a carbon fiber brush. the original Decca was THE best with the finest bristles. later ones, including the aq had larger diameter bristles, not as effective.

i got a Realistic from the Shack that had the finer bristles like the Decca and i still use it today.

the newest aq may be better than the old one, i haven't checked.
...regards...tr

replace? , posted on May 21, 2020 at 22:00:47
hifitommy Audiophile Posts: 15388 Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny Joined: June 9, 2000	bill, the bristles on that levin are to coarse. if you can find a decca or just maybe but the newest AQ. ...regards...tr

RE: Best ?, posted on May 21, 2020 at 22:52:15

hifitommy
Audiophile

Posts: 15388
Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny
Joined: June 9, 2000

in looking around i found the Ortofon Record Brush: Anti-static Record Brush with Sheath. it looks to me that it would be easier to handle and just as or more effective as the other CF brushes. $29. no shipping from Sweetwater.
...regards...tr

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RecordBrush--ortofon

I was just curious. I use the older Audioquest brush and used to , posted on May 21, 2020 at 23:52:01
alaskahiatt Audiophile Posts: 7508 Joined: December 9, 2000 Contributor Since: November 1, 2005	use the Hunt EDA brush. I am always up for a new idea, and that's why I asked my question. I started with the Watts preener, then switched to the Discwasher brush with fluid. I do not like the new Audioquest brush, as it seems ineffective.

I have tried a few., posted on May 22, 2020 at 05:41:10
Cougar Audiophile Posts: 4593 Location: SoCal Joined: June 25, 2001	The Hunt, AudioQuest, other dry brushes. What I found works best but it's not really a dry brush is the LAST Deep Clean brush with three drops of fluid. This is the best that I used so far. The Last picks up everything loose on the record and is dead quiet when playing the LP's

+1 on the Last ..., posted on May 22, 2020 at 10:49:54
reelsmith. Audiophile Posts: 13134 Location: CT Joined: June 7, 2005 Contributor Since: January 19, 2010	That's the same routine I've used for as long as I can remember. I've never found a satisfactory dry brush and I've tried a lot of them ...and still own one or two. Dean. reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.

Not for washing records, posted on May 22, 2020 at 12:37:31
AudioDwebe Audiophile Posts: 1910 Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: November 12, 2001	but for removing some or even a bit more of dust or lint or whatever it is that gets on records. I've tried Audioquest and Hunt several times and I have never, ever been able to not have a fine line of debris that I had to use my Discwasher or even the Nitty Gritty, both used with a liquid, to remove said debris. "Man, that mouse is Awesome." - Kaemon (referring to Jerry, of Tom and Jerry fame)

RE: Not for washing records, posted on May 22, 2020 at 14:39:43
hifitommy Audiophile Posts: 15388 Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny Joined: June 9, 2000	i use a realistic CF dry brush. unlike hp's method , i do an exit sweep every time and no residual line. i never thought the Hunt was a good idea. the original Decca Brush had very fine beistles and so does my Realistic. better than most other CF brushes....for me. ...regards...tr

RE: +2 on the Last ..., posted on May 22, 2020 at 15:35:55

dean man jim
Audiophile

Posts: 2287
Location: Missouri
Joined: August 8, 2005
Contributor
Since: June 5, 2007

Agreed. I've been using Last brushes along with Last record cleaner for decades and along way have tried more dry brushes than I should have.

These days I'm dispensing the Last liquid on the Last brush with a small pump spray bottle (eyeglass cleaner size) and find that I like that regimen much better than putting two or three drops on the brush and then moving the liquid around.

"Lesser artists borrow, great artists steal." Igor Stravinsky

Wasanbon brushes discontinued, posted on May 23, 2020 at 03:46:58
mrubey Audiophile Posts: 46 Location: Central Texas Joined: May 16, 2015	Hello. Thanks for contacting JICO. We are sorry but the product is discontinued. I apologize that we cannot meet your expectation. Best regards, Ryo SASAKI, JICO team Bummer

RE: Best record brush ?, posted on June 1, 2020 at 19:55:06
Dr. Fuse Audiophile Posts: 48 Location: BC Joined: May 12, 2020	Large black makeup brush for $1.25 at Dollar Tree. The medium mascara is an excellent stylus brush, with its long handle. Best bang for your $$$.

curious., posted on June 9, 2020 at 13:35:17

hifitommy
Audiophile

Posts: 15388
Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny
Joined: June 9, 2000

yes bill, i also started with a preener (which also has directionality but less than a Discwasher). the preener i would spray with a fine atomizer containing distilled water.

problem: water plus dust = mud. so many of my records fell victim to that. a dry sweep of the carbon fiber (Audioquest, Decca, etc) is excellent for otherwise very clean records. those that aren't need a SpinClean wash, vpi, or uS cleaning.

i was never a fan of the Hunt type brush. that's just me.
...regards...tr

RE: Best record brush ?, posted on June 14, 2020 at 17:34:07
audio perfection	If it is the two row of bristles type Decca brush, I found that one very good. I also like Sleeve City brush. The brushes on many are too long, and bend flat, and just move the dust rather than pick it up.

Vinyl Asylum

Best record brush ?

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