Static Eraser "Modern"

 Static electricity is the mortal enemy of record playback. Records are made of polyvinyl chloride, a material that tends to attract static, meaning that static electricity can be generated for a variety of reasons and in an assortment of locations.
 The most difficult static electricity to cope with is that generated as a record is being played. Static electricity of that sort is caused by friction between the record’s sound grooves and the stylus tip. Even if record static before playing were to be completely eliminated, static measuring from hundreds to thousands of volts would be generated as the record is played.


 TOP WING Static Eraser “Modern” is a shell ring with static-elimination properties. Due to its unique configuration and materials, the Static Eraser efficiently discharges to the tone arm static electricity generated during playback. Use of the Static Eraser can result in reduction of electrical charge to less than 100V.

• Reduces static electricity generated during record playback from several thousand volts to less than 100V
• Excellent discharge and vibration-absorption properties due to unique configuration and materials
• Shell-ring configuration ensures effectiveness regardless of record-player location

 Static electricity generated when records are played leads to discharge noise and significantly impacts sound quality. Until now, countermeasures for the static have been cumbersome, including ionizers that required installation space in the vicinity of the turntable, or brush devices requiring use each time a record is played.
 Static Eraser “Modern” can be used as a simple replacement for the rubber ring on the headshell. With that, the Static Eraser is easy and convenient to use, with no need for extra space or effort. Based on its shell-ring characteristics, the product boasts superior vibration-absorption properties.


 Products with a similar focus as the Static Eraser were available in the past, but they involved metal fabric coming into contact with the record surface. Because that meant the fabric would touch the surface of the record, the tone arm would pick up sound from the contacted grooves and its tracking ability would be diminished. Moreover, because it was metal, such shell rings were unable to absorb vibrations.
 The Static Eraser’s unique configuration and materials allow it to discharge electricity without making contact with the record surface, resulting in no adverse effects on sound quality. In collaboration with Tosho Rubber Industries, the company that developed the damper rubber for the TOP WING Seiryu (Blue Dragon) and Suzaku (Red Sparrow) products, we came up with a special material combining electrical-discharge and vibration-absorption features. After a series of experiments, we narrowed the potential materials for use in the product to two, each having different sound qualities. Of those materials, we selected the one with the more modern sound profile and quality and are set to launch sales under the “Modern” moniker.
 In maximizing the product’s electrical-discharge performance, the distance between the bottom of the Static Eraser and the record surface is an important element. The closer that distance without contact, the more effective the product will be. Since the distance will vary depending on the type of cartridge, two different sized Static Eraser are included. Please choose the Static Eraser size that brings the Static Eraser the closest to the record surface with your cartridge.

　

Akira Sumiyama, audio writer

 I listen to my records after reducing static electricity as much as I can. I had given up, however, on the idea that static electricity generated by friction between the stylus and the record could be eliminated with something other than high-priced accessories. After I attached the newly launched Static Eraser “Modern” to the headshell of my tone arm and listened to my favorite records, the scratchy noises were no longer noticeable when I placed the needle on the record. That effect did not fade even with extended listening. Each of the instruments in the recordings was polished and sharply defined but not piercing to my ears, passing through like a fresh summer breeze, a tendency that remained even when I turned up the volume. Until now, I had thought the deterioration of inner circumference sound quality was due to poor linear velocity. But it now seems it may have also been caused by an accumulation of static electricity.

Isashi Tanaka, music and audio writer

 There is a big difference between using and not using certain measures to combat static electricity. Before the Static Eraser, the sounds produced by the audio systems I used were all muddled together, with the spacing narrow and crowded. I began to wonder if that was simply the fault of the recordings. When I applied the Static Eraser, though, sounds instantly grew more pronounced. And sound tones grew richer with extended reverberation, which seems to be the result of the Static Eraser’s vibration-absorption properties. People who enjoy music might not think much of it, but audiophiles are over the moon. The Static Eraser achieves both goals of static elimination and vibration absorption.