Turntable accessories - Needle care
A normal stereo groove is just 40 micrometers wide - almost unimaginable, and yet everything is decided in this miniature world. The stylus scans every fraction of this fine track and converts the mechanical movement into music. What remains invisible to the naked eye - burnt-on residue, encrusted fine dust, resinous deposits from the scanning process - changes the needle movement in the groove and thus directly clouds the signal. A simple stylus brush simply cannot get at these deposits. The Flux Hifi Sonic does: as one of the most precise electronic stylus cleaners on the market, developed and manufactured in Germany, it solves exactly what mere mechanics cannot.
The principle is reminiscent of professional ultrasonic cleaners used in dental technology - but adapted to the sensitive mechanics of a pickup system. The flux-fluid-impregnated vibration pad vibrates at around 210 Hz in all three spatial directions: horizontally by 8 micrometers, vertically by 1.4 to 5 micrometers. This is significantly less than the deflection that the stylus experiences in the groove during the regular scanning process - cleaning is therefore mechanically less dangerous for the system than the playback itself. The combination of precise vibration and the special cleaning fluid not only removes loose dust, but also burnt-on incrustations that have formed due to pressure and frictional heat during scanning.
Precision vibration
210 Hz in three spatial directions - removes burnt-on residues that every brush leaves behind
No removal necessary
Pickup remains in the arm - cleaning is safe, quick and without the risk of disassembly
3-year guarantee
Made in Germany with a 3-year manufacturer's warranty - not an accessory product, but a tool for eternity
The vibration pad of the Flux Sonic is made of the finest polyethylene fibers, which absorb the cleaning fluid through their capillary effect and release it evenly to the tip of the needle. One drop of Flux Fluid is enough for several cleaning processes - the 5 ml bottle supplied goes a long way. The pad can be used several times and, together with the fluid, creates a coordinated cleaning system that works more precisely than any manually applied solution. A deeper look into the technology: The pad picks up the vibration of the drive and actually transfers it three-dimensionally to the needle tip - the movement components in the X, Y and Z directions ensure that even deposits behind the needle or in hard-to-reach areas of the needle carrier are reached.
The Flux Fluid cleaning fluid supplied has been specially developed for the requirements of the Sonic. Flux has also recently launched Flux Fluid 2.0 - an alcohol-free development designed for optimum sound preservation and particularly recommended for high-quality MC systems where the focus is on long-term protection of the adhesive points between the stylus and stylus carrier. The device has an integrated LED that facilitates the exact positioning of the stylus on the pad. The underside with felt glides and optional anti-slip studs (included) holds the device securely on the turntable or any other surface - even without any additional fixation.
Sound gain & practical experience
The trade press is unanimous: the difference in sound after cleaning with the Flux Sonic is not audiophile wishful thinking, but actually perceptible. Fairaudio rates the Sonic as an "all-round successful analog accessory product" and describes the effect as follows: The sound image seems livelier, details emerge more clearly instead of blurring into a homogenized sound mash. MINT Magazine simply calls it the best way to clean a pickup - resulting in a fuller, clearer and more dynamic sound. The recommendation applies to all systems, from affordable MM cartridges to high-resolution MCs: the finer the stylus, the clearer the gain - but the effect is always audible.
Flux recommends using the Sonic after every five records played - an interval that is easy to maintain in everyday life and ensures that no stubborn deposits have to build up first. Regular use of the Sonic not only protects the sound, but also actively extends the life of the cartridge and the record collection. A clean stylus increases tracking precision, reduces friction - and every micrometer less wear on the groove edge protects the vinyl in the long term.
| manufacturer |
Flux Hifi GmbH & Co KG, Germany |
| Model |
Sonic (electronic needle cleaner) |
| Cleaning principle |
Precision vibration + Flux Fluid cleaning fluid |
| Vibration frequency (pad) |
approx. 210 Hz |
| Pad deflection horizontal (X/Y) |
8 µm |
| Pad deflection vertical (Z) |
1.4 - 5 µm |
| Pad material |
Finest polyethylene fibers (reusable) |
| Illumination |
Integrated LED for positioning aid |
| Dimensions (W × D) |
max. 115 × 65 mm |
| Weight (without batteries) |
approx. 48 g |
| Power supply |
2 × AAA micro batteries (not included) |
| Scope of delivery |
Sonic needle cleaner, Flux Fluid cleaning fluid 5 ml, anti-slip studs, operating instructions |
| Recommended cleaning interval |
After every 5 records played |
| Guarantee |
3 years (manufacturer's warranty) |
| Manufacture |
Made in Germany |
| Additional accessories |
Flux Fluid cleaning concentrate 15 ml, Flux Fluid 2.0 (alcohol-free) |