[net.audio] Use LAST

garyh@iddic.UUCP (05/02/84)

<<<>>>
Sheffield does not explicitly or implicitly prohibit the use of LAST. Their
record care recommendations prohibit the use of ***spray-on*** (emphasis
theirs) products. LAST is not a spray-on product. Yes, however, Mobile
Fiddlesticks does say that 'substances spilled on or applied to the product'
will void their warranty. This could just as easily apply to Diskwasher fluid.
I haven't bought any MF products lately, though, so they may now have other
prohibitions in their literature. Personally, I am willing to take the risk
of voiding my precious warranty for better sound and longer record life by
using LAST.  The LAST solvent is only in contact with the record for roughly
about two seconds every 200 plays, and I really can't see that two seconds
will cause a melt-down :-)  But seriously folks, it does MAKE RECORDS SOUND
BETTER, and presumably makes them last longer (I haven't played any treated
records enough times to verify this.)
Try it, you might like it.
 
Gary Hanson  ...!tektronix!iddic!garyh

charles@sunybcs.UUCP (05/07/84)

Give me a break.
LAST was loved by such rags as IAR and Abso!ute Sound (TAS)
while we are at it... 
Why no ~~|-( about STYLE LAST?
 
You mean that somebody out there actually LIKES??? CDs??
 
You can spot them blind... they sound metallic.
Any hope of finding an ENTEC Seismic Generaator?

greg@olivej.UUCP (Greg Paley) (05/08/84)

Charles Pearson was interested in discussion of STYLAST.  This is
a fluid which, when applied to the stylus, is supposed to extend
the life of stylus and cantilever.  As I understand, it is supposed
to lower the friction between stylus and groove, thereby reducing
wear.  A bottle costs $16 and, when used as directed, should last
at least a year (depending on how often you play records).

Since I've only been using it a couple of months, I can't attest
to whether or not it really meets its goal of extending stylus/
cantilever life.  However, I can say that it produces no audible
deterioration of the sound, in fact seems to effect an improvment.
Furthermore, records I've played immediately after application show
no sign of deposits or increased surface noise.  If this seems
stuff that one should be able to take for granted, my experience
with similar products in the past indicates otherwise.  Also, the
stylus cleaning brush supplied is one of the best I've encountered -
similar to the Discwasher brush but with softer, apparently smaller
bristles.

As I said, only time will tell if it really does extend the stylus
life.  Considering the cost of replacement styli for high quality
cartridges ($200 for a Grace Ruby, considerably more for moving
coils, many of which have to be returned to the factory) I find it
worth a $16 a year gamble to find out.

	- Greg Paley