A Little Accessory That's Made a Big Difference — The Pro-Ject Sweep it S2
I'm not usually one to write about gear for its own sake. There are plenty of websites and forums out there that will dissect every component of a turntable setup in excruciating detail, and that's great — but it's not really what this blog is about. So when I do talk about a piece of kit, it's because I genuinely think it's worth your attention. This is one of those times.
I recently picked up the Pro-Ject Sweep it S2, and I want to tell you about it — not as a formal review, but just as someone who bought one, uses it, and thinks it's a pretty great little thing to have on your turntable.
What Is It?
The Sweep it S2 is a record cleaning arm. It sits on your turntable — off to the side — and as your record spins, a small natural hair brush sweeps across the surface just ahead of your needle, clearing away dust and debris before the stylus ever touches it. You set it up once, drop the needle, and it just... does its thing. No sprays, no solutions, no separate cleaning routine. It cleans your record while you listen to it.
The concept itself isn't new — record cleaning arms have actually been around since the early 1970s. But the problem with older designs and a lot of cheaper versions still on the market today is something called skating, where the brush rushes toward the centre of the record and falls out of sync with the tonearm. When that happens, you're not really cleaning ahead of the needle anymore — you're just dragging a brush around. Not ideal.
What makes the Sweep it S2 different is a clever bit of engineering involving neodymium magnets. The magnetic attraction between the magnet at the top of the unit and an iron core counterweight keeps the brush arm properly stabilized, so it tracks correctly across the record and stays just ahead of the tonearm the way it's supposed to. Pro-Ject developed this in collaboration with audio designer Klaus Mick, who holds the patent on the technology. It sounds fancier than it needs to — the bottom line is that it actually works.
Why I Like It
My favourite thing about it is simple: I put a record on and I don't have to think about it. I'm not stopping to wipe the record down before every play. I'm not noticing pops and crackles halfway through side one. The music just sounds clean, and when the record goes back in its sleeve, it goes back clean. That matters to me. A lot of the records I play are either new purchases or pieces of a collection I care about, and anything that keeps them in better shape for longer is a worthwhile investment.
There's also something satisfying about the whole setup. The arm is made from aluminium, it looks sharp sitting on the turntable, and there's just something kind of pleasing about watching it do its job while a record plays. Small things.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
The Sweep it S2 is height adjustable, which is important because you need to get it sitting correctly level with the platter for the tracking force to be right. It locks in place with a set screw once you've got it dialled. Setup takes a few minutes and then you're done. It can be positioned in one of two left-hand corners of your turntable depending on your specific table's layout, so it should work with most setups — though it's worth double-checking compatibility before you buy.
Also worth noting: this thing is for dust and surface debris. It's not a substitute for a proper wet clean on a filthy thrift store find or a record that's been sitting in a damp basement for thirty years. If a record needs a real deep clean, you clean it first. What the Sweep it S2 does is keep already-clean records clean during playback, and prevent the slow buildup of dust that happens over time with regular playing. It's maintenance, not restoration.
If you want to learn more, check it out here.
There Are Other Options Out There
I went with Pro-Ject because while my turntable is a Music Hall, I have a Pro-Ject tonearm on it — they make solid stuff and this product has clearly had some real thought put into it. But I'll be honest: there are plenty of record cleaning arms on the market at various price points, from the very basic to the more elaborate. If the concept appeals to you, do a bit of research and find one that fits your setup and your budget. The Sweep it S2 is the one that made sense for me, and I've been happy with it. But the broader point stands regardless of which one you go with — if you're playing records regularly and you're not doing something to manage dust, you're leaving sound quality on the table and putting unnecessary wear on your stylus and your grooves.
This is one of those accessories that isn't glamorous, is actually kind of boring, and just quietly makes everything better.
As always, if you've got questions about this or any other turntable accessories, drop me a line. Happy to chat.