Is The Onzow Zerodust RUINING Your Stylus?

Great, as if I wasn't already neurotic enough.

Great video on this product. Several years ago when I was investigating the then new idea of ultrasonic record cleaners, I met another audiophile who was using the cleaner. I'd never seen it and was impressed, so I ordered a couple. Just as I got them he contacted me to say that he'd sent his stylus away to be retipped and the company doing it got in touch to say it was contaminated with sticky residue, no doubt caused by the gel cleaner. Fortunately I had not used them and they now sit forlornly in my drawer with all my other turntable tools. I clean my stylus only with a soft brush and occasionally with a stiff Project brush. Very rarely I use the MOFI stylus cleaning liquid. Have you reviewed this product? I have read that some cleaners can affect the glue. This is why I love your channel.

Excellent job. Thanks for that detailed, precise summation.

This is facinating and not a surprise. Your approach of a tiny amount of Stylast on a brush backs sense, as does the concern about these types of cleaners. Thank you!

Excellent episode Chris. I have an Onzow myself but haven’t used it in years, ever since my cartridge retipper told me not to use it and not to use liquid cleaners since my beloved Koetsu Rosewood had evidence of fluid having travelled up the cantilever into the body. I then resurrected my old Audio Technica electronic stylus cleaner (similar to the Flux you showed) which is my go to “deep cleaner” for a more vigorous clean than my standard Carbon fibre discwasher stylus brush. As Wally Tools are saying an occasional careful use of a liquid cleaner such as Stylast is ok, I will give it a try as well! I really appreciate the rational, well reasoned and tempered approach to your reviews. Keep up the great work and do give us an update on Wally tools ongoing testing and recommendations.

Hi Chris, thanks for you coverage of this polarizing topic. I appreciate the benevolent approach you're taking and I think I'll be following your example and stop using my Onzow till further research deems it safe. In the meantime I was looking for an alternative and found a couple of products that peaked my interest. "Hudson Hi-Fi UV Stylus Cleaner" similar to the Flux you mentioned. Also, the somewhat extravagant "Integrityhifi Tru-Kleen Deluxe Stylus Cleaner" collects a healthy number of evangelist on the audio forums that I frequent. If you decide to plan a Stylus Cleaner Shootout in the future, these would make fascinating entries. Thanks

Great information Chris! Interestingly, I have a Hana ML cart that I have been using for almost a year, and I noticed my balance was off. Tried everything to resolve, even realigning. I have been using the Zerodust to clean the stylus after any heavy listening session. After seeing this video, I thoroughly (but carefully) cleaned the stylus with a good old stylus brush for about 3 minutes. Much to my surprise, my balance issue was resolved!!! I therefore am left to assume that there was some accumulation of residue that affected audio quality. Just dropped my gel cleaner in the trash. Who would have thought?

Wow!!! You area hero!! Thank you so much for this video, I’ll make sure to check in with your channel for any updates

Always wondered about this gel cleaner,for every action there's a reaction and residue is there when you can't see it..great knowledge,been using the brush for years with no fails but good to know!! Thank you once again

Chris, while in the process of substituting my stylus because of excessive distortion that I thought was due to it beating worn out (after only one year?!), I remembered this video of yours. So I bought an “el cheapo” USB microscope and checked the stylus. That was enough to understand I am another “victim” of this kind of cleaning gels (I used Audio Technica’s one): after some alternate liquid stylus cleaner (and some more distilled water rinse, as I hate the idea of alcohol on stylus bond) plus a good old dry brush, my stylus is as new and there’s no distortion anymore. I can backup this story with pictures, if needed. Thanks for saving me a few hundred bucks for the new NOS stylus!

I had some problems with my TT and took it into my local shop. I asked him to check my stylus while he had it as I was concerned it might need replacing. He told me stylus was fine but it was really dirty. Weird since I used Onzow as well as stylus brush before every play. I immediately suspected the gel cleaner, now it seems like my suspicions are being confirmed. Going to try using some Last cleaner, very sparingly. Thanks for sharing

Thank you for the thoughtful passing of important information and look forward to the follow up. I was relieved to hear I clean my stylus just like you. Whew!

Well explained. Appreciate the additional detail that went beyond the Analog Planet article. I bought a USB microscope and took photos when attempting to adjust SRA last winter. The stylus was filthy. I thought it was because I had been playing a lot of new records (Tone Poets) without first cleaning them. Now I suspect it was the Onzow, since I use it before each side. Took more photos after the article came out. Still pretty filthy so I am using a stylus bristle brush that will hopefully clean but not harm.

First, thank you for bringing this to our attention. It is a subject worthy of discussion. My own experience: I have three styluses, all with over 200-300 current hours on them. 99% of the time, they are cleaned with the Onzow, with very occasional brushing. I often (obsessively) check the condition of the styluses and cantilevers. Two of the styluses are nude diamond, so the condition of the shank is easy to see. The level of accumulation shown on the photos would not be hard to discern even at lower magnifications. All I can say is, in my case the shanks and cantilevers are clean and shiny and I have never seen anything like this happen. Same was true with the "retired" styluses cleaned with the Onzow. I use two Onzows, one rather new and one with many miles on it. No problem with either. The cartridges track without problems. I should add that all records are machine cleaned. I also try to not put the stylus down in the same place in the gel over and over. Onzows can be dangerous. I did destroy a stylus by banging the plastic case into it head on, so I changed how I placed it. Overall, I think using it as I have described is safer than fumbling all the time with a brush. I hope someone can resolve this matter once and for all! Good luck!

Just came across this video through YouTube recommendations. As always, a pleasure watching. Your no nonsense, scientific based reviews are a breath of fresh air. This aligns with my thought process super well. Instead of hype you focus on as scientifically possible within reasonable cost to provide details on vinyl accessories. After this video, I’m chucking my onzow and ordering another stylus brush.

Been using the audio technica version I have noticed that people tend to manually lift the gel up into the stylus quite "firmly" for lack of a better word I've always used the tonearm lever to lightly drop the stylus onto the gel I do this delicately watching the cantilever as I do it I also use the liquid stylus cleaner sparingly about once every three or four weeks this combination works well for my setup. I realize that every turntable setup is different and if I had say a cartridge that costs many hundreds or thousands of dollars I'd probably be a lot more discerning I have a technics sl-1700 mk1 with an ortofon blue been using the audio technica cleaners for several years now and have had no issues I have a microscope to check for residue and stylus wear. I can't stress enough that if you use these types of products its important to have a way to visually inspect your stylus and cantilever and to use them with caution. Just my two cents if your using a very expensive setup I'd not use any of these products

Thank you for a very informative and eye opening account on stylus cleaning gels. As a result, I look forward to the updates on new products to help clean the stylus. As birthday treat I have purchased a beogram 7000 with an MMC 4 stylus. It should have come with a MMC 2 stylus, I have subsequently secured an MMC2 stylus at Great expense and as you can imagine, want to make sure I treat it with the greatest of respect when it comes to cleaning. As previously stated. Look forward to the results. 👍

Enlightening video. As one who has always cleaned the stylus prior to playing, I have deliberately avoided the tack pads for reasons mentioned. However, due to your video, have learned that I have been grossly overusing the stylus cleaning fluid since I applied at the start of every listening session. Thanks for the education.

These findings are worrying. I have used Onzow for awhile, and can't say I have noticed any form of degradation other than it is quickly gets rid of the obvious dirt. I hope the company comes out with something soon as this has been reported several places. Anyway, love your presentation and videos. Subbed.

Thank you sir for yet another informative video. I use a piece of magic eraser but was considering trying a gel type cleaner. I will hold off on that now until more information is available.