MoFi UltraDeck / StudioDeck Owners and those interested

Angsty said:
I’m also considering an upgrade my cheap reading magnifier to a jeweler’s loupe for better viewing of the stylus condition. Here’s the guidance from the International Gemologist Society (IGS):

“For gemologists, the 10X loupe (with ten-power magnification) is the standard for hand-held gem identification. Although you'll find more powerful loupes, the depth of field (the area that's in focus) is so small above 10X that they're hard to use. Instead, use a microscope when you need higher magnification. With lower-powered magnification, you just can't see as much detail.”

They also recommend a triplet lens, but a Coddington is likely the second best for simply inspecting stylus condition. A higher powered LED microscope is probably better for SRA/VTA determination.
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I have a 10 x loupe lens from university used to view minerals and while its good quality sorry 10 power does not cut it . I have a cheap 40 power and it works understanding that as the power goes up the depth of field on these inexpensive loop lens becomes quite small . There is a learning curve to get the focus correct but its doable with the 40 times . Interested to hear Mindhead1's experience with the 30 and 60 times loupe lens he ordered . I had also considered the small hand held microscopes but was not sure I could get it close enough to the styles to focus .
 
HiFi Guy said:
If anyone has a worn SAE 1000 they aren’t going to rebuild, let me know. I’m a buyer. The only cartridge I regret letting go.

If anyone is on the fence about Joseph Long aka The Groovetickler, don’t be. He’s legit. My GT Grado Gold3 gets regular platter time.
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@mindhead1 - note that the SAE 1000LT is a high-output MC with a line trace (linear contact) stylus. The Shibata is also in the linear contact family.
 
Angsty said:
@mindhead1 - note that the SAE 1000LT is a high-output MC with a line trace (linear contact) stylus. The Shibata is also in the linear contact family.
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The SAE 1000LT doesn’t look like something that’s easy to buy. At this point I’m leaning towards the Hana SH II. I’m sure the OG Hana SH would be excellent, but I also know I’ll want to hear the newer version so I might as well go for it.

I would go for one of the Mofi MC carts , but I don’t trust MoFi pricing. Seems like they could easily drop $300-$500 off their existing carts at any moment which if they did would cause me to consider one.
 
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mindhead1 said:
The SAE 1000LT doesn’t look like something that’s easy to buy. At this point I’m leaning towards the Hana SH II. I’m sure the OG Hana SH would be excellent, but I also know I’ll want to hear the newer version so I might as well go for it.

I would go for one of the Mofi MC carts , but I don’t trust MoFi pricing. Seems like they could easily drop $300-$500 off their existing carts at any moment which if they did would cause me to consider one.
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Yeah - the SAE 1000LT was a new-old stock cart from a couple of years ago that took eBay by storm. I only cite it as a comparable to the Hana SH.

For the new SL, make sure the mass, compliance and height are compatible with your turntable. It looks to be the MH body and engine with the SH cantilever and stylus.
 
Static Shock said:
I have a 10 x loupe lens from university used to view minerals and while its good quality sorry 10 power does not cut it . I have a cheap 40 power and it works understanding that as the power goes up the depth of field on these inexpensive loop lens becomes quite small . There is a learning curve to get the focus correct but its doable with the 40 times . Interested to hear Mindhead1's experience with the 30 and 60 times loupe lens he ordered . I had also considered the small hand held microscopes but was not sure I could get it close enough to the styles to focus .
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I tried this one and returned it.
Couldn't get anything of value out of it.

Interested to see what others find useful.

 
Update on my MasterTracker woes. After some intensive stylus cleaning which included removing the cart and placing it in the dishwasher…

JK. I brushed the stylus like I always do after a few records and then dipped the into some stylus cleaning gel (forgotten in a drawer) that came with a record cleaning brush I picked up years ago and also dipping onto a magic eraser for good measure everything sounds good again.

That Erykah Badu album must be filthy. I have used a brush on it, but maybe it needs a more intensive cleaning. It’s hard to see anything on the record because fo the colored vinyl and it otherwise sounds ok. That record has artificial snaps and pops in it, maybe I just assumed all the snaps and pops I was hearing were from the actual recording and not the vinyl on my TT.

Anyway, I’m back listening and the Ultradeck sounds great.
 
mindhead1 said:
Update on my MasterTracker woes. After some intensive stylus cleaning which included removing the cart and placing it in the dishwasher…

JK. I brushed the stylus like I always do after a few records and then dipped the into some stylus cleaning gel (forgotten in a drawer) that came with a record cleaning brush I picked up years ago and also dipping onto a magic eraser for good measure everything sounds good again.

That Erykah Badu album must be filthy. I have used a brush on it, but maybe it needs a more intensive cleaning. It’s hard to see anything on the record because fo the colored vinyl and it otherwise sounds ok. That record has artificial snaps and pops in it, maybe I just assumed all the snaps and pops I was hearing were from the actual recording and not the vinyl on my TT.

Anyway, I’m back listening and the Ultradeck sounds great.
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In the dishwasher that must be a first and unique approach to cleaning a cart.
 
mindhead1 said:
Update on my MasterTracker woes. After some intensive stylus cleaning which included removing the cart and placing it in the dishwasher…

JK. I brushed the stylus like I always do after a few records and then dipped the into some stylus cleaning gel (forgotten in a drawer) that came with a record cleaning brush I picked up years ago and also dipping onto a magic eraser for good measure everything sounds good again.

That Erykah Badu album must be filthy. I have used a brush on it, but maybe it needs a more intensive cleaning. It’s hard to see anything on the record because fo the colored vinyl and it otherwise sounds ok. That record has artificial snaps and pops in it, maybe I just assumed all the snaps and pops I was hearing were from the actual recording and not the vinyl on my TT.

Anyway, I’m back listening and the Ultradeck sounds great.
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Gunky styli are a pain - glad you cleared that up (literally).

The gel should work for the life of the stylus. You should probably replace the gel if it is over a few years old.

trackingangle.com

The Onzow Zerodust Controversy Concludes Here (Updated August 29, 2023 With New Instruction)

the new instructions explain it well
trackingangle.com trackingangle.com
 
Angsty said:
Gunky styli are a pain - glad you cleared that up (literally).

The gel should work for the life of the stylus. You should probably replace the gel if it is over a few years old.

trackingangle.com

The Onzow Zerodust Controversy Concludes Here (Updated August 29, 2023 With New Instruction)

the new instructions explain it well
trackingangle.com trackingangle.com
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Zerodust is a controversial product. The stylus gel I used came with an Eveo Record cleaning kit. I have no idea what the gel is made of. Seems like some kind of silicone type substance. IDK.
 
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