A very cheap but extremely effective tweak for records’ static

sombunya

Well-Known Member
Oct 18, 2012
133
8
325
I played a record the other day, digitized it actually, and it was so quiet I sent a note to the label complementing them on such a fine pressing. Quiet passages and between tracks it sounded great and the waveform confirmed it. I have a Zerostat but don't use it much because I don't see static as a problem, leastways not where I live. I like reading the reviews here, however.
 

Bobvin

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Jun 7, 2014
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With the record spinning, light up the spark and scan it across the disc surface, keeping a small distance of say 10mm. View attachment 72834
My ritual is a shot of compressed air against the direction of the spinning disk (record spinning towards me) to blow off any surface dust, then on opposite side (record spinning away from me) I pass the plasma arc over the record a few times slowly, back and forth, as he said about 1 cm above the record. (Unlike the photo above I do keep it away from my cartridge.)

I've always been leery of using compressed air to blow off any dust as it creates static, but now the worry is gone.
 
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defride

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Mar 28, 2013
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Also bought one then another for an audio buddy for Christmas. He was bemused when it turned up in the post without explanation :)

Thanks for the tip
 
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matakana

Well-Known Member
Aug 26, 2020
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My ritual is a shot of compressed air against the direction of the spinning disk (record spinning towards me) to blow off any surface dust, then on opposite side (record spinning away from me) I pass the plasma arc over the record a few times slowly, back and forth, as he said about 1 cm above the record. (Unlike the photo above I do keep it away from my cartridge.)

I've always been leery of using compressed air to blow off any dust as it creates static, but now the worry is gone.

This is the blower I use.
 

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Vienna

VIP/Donor
I am very glad that this inexpensive tweak helped
 

kimurastanley

Well-Known Member
Mar 16, 2019
256
291
150
Singapore
20210114_164123.jpg

I just received mine today and it definitely works as mentioned.

Better clarity, quieter and the vocal becomes more natural and presence.

Thanks for the tip!
 

timztunz

Well-Known Member
Apr 23, 2018
157
103
150
Texas
it is very dry in here for the last week. Humidity Is around 30 to 40%. So perfect weather to test the plasma lighter. It works very well. Very effective. No more static when lifting LP from the platter. To me, it works better than DS Audio. I will put up DS Audio for sale.
When you say it works better than the DS Audio do you mean that you hear an improvement using the plasma lighter when the DS Audio unit is working as well? Or do you mean that it works as well or better than the DS Audio unit by itself?
 

pcosta

Well-Known Member
Jul 25, 2010
364
123
950
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
I got mine yesterday. Can't say everything sounds better, but certainly does remove the static. I the past when removing a record, I could feel the record almost cling to the platter, when the separation was made you could hear the static. A quick hover over the record while pressing the button works quickly and efficiently. Best part is I didn't spend a fortune.
 
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timztunz

Well-Known Member
Apr 23, 2018
157
103
150
Texas
I got one yesterday too. I can light a cigarette with that thing. I’m not putting it 1cm from my records. I’ll stick with the DS Audio.
 

SONDEKNZ

Well-Known Member
Mar 2, 2021
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I’m very interested because here in China there is a lot of crud in the air - that ends up on your turntable platter and on your LP surfaces.

Confession time: Anyone actually damaged a record with one of these BBQ lighters yet???
 

Bobvin

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Jun 7, 2014
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I’m very interested because here in China there is a lot of crud in the air - that ends up on your turntable platter and on your LP surfaces.

Confession time: Anyone actually damaged a record with one of these BBQ lighters yet???
Not here… would be difficult to do. You would have to hold the device in one spot right against the record surface I think. Pretty harmless device in reality.

I get my record up to speed then pass the device with the plasma arc enabled back and forth from outer edge to inner edge about 1cm over the record surface. When the slight buzz goes away and the arc steadies into a straight line I’m done. Sometimes one area of the LP will seem to require holding the arc near that spot (record spinning) but the device, IMHO, performs better than the old ZeroStat that’s been around for decades. ymmv
 
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Bonesy Jonesy

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2017
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Anybody compared the performance of the very expensive (RRP: £1,500) CSPort IME1 Static Eliminator & Demagnetiser to this BBQ Lighter ?
 

Bonesy Jonesy

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2017
677
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230
UK & Spain
Also has anybody tried this Furutech Destat Static Charge Eliminator ? ;


I have the Zerostat Gun and it does nothing to my record static issues. Waste of £50+ ! :mad:
 

Bonesy Jonesy

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Jan 3, 2017
677
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UK & Spain

Bonesy Jonesy

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2017
677
503
230
UK & Spain
Anybody have or tried the Hudson Hifi Anti Static Brush ? ;


Or the Pro-Ject Sweep It E Broom with Natural Hair Brush ? ;

 

TooCool4

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2013
960
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England
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