LAST???? Has anybody tried this?

Hififile, I have a suggestion that you might try.

After applying the Last solution, REWASH and RE RINSE the LP as if it had never been washed. This is best with a VPI machine in my experience.

The positive aspect of LAST remains, but the rewash pretty much returns the LP to the original sound (before applying LAST).

Gruvglide changes the sound as well, but rewashing after application removes the Gruvglide and the benefit it provides.

To my ears, Gruvglide somewhat compresses dynamics while rolling off the extreme high frequencies. It appears the cartridge brand affects the differences between these two products and the outcome of the test.

Those using Benz, Koetsu or Transfiguration (to name a few) usually prefer the Last treatment. Those with Clear Audio Insider or Van den Hul often prefer the Gruvglide treatment.

I'm guessing here, but this must be somehow related to stylus design, suspension and a combination of tracking and set up procedures for that arm / cartridge combination.

Liquid is bad for the following reasons:

(1) Liquid weakens the adhesive between stylus and cantilever. (2) High-end cartridge with hollow cantilever will actually siphon the liquid into the inside of the cartridge from capillary action. (3) The evaporation eventually deposits a layer of grime on suspension elasto-meter and coil, eventually degrading the performance and accelerate the wear.

Further detail:

http://www.extremephono.com/Stylus_Cleaner.htm

Liquid is bad for the following reasons:

(1) Liquid weakens the adhesive between stylus and cantilever. (2) High-end cartridge with hollow cantilever will actually siphon the liquid into the inside of the cartridge from capillary action. (3) The evaporation eventually deposits a layer of grime on suspension elasto-meter and coil, eventually degrading the performance and accelerate the wear.

Further detail:

http://www.extremephono.com/Stylus_Cleaner.htm

I've never seen water siphon its way up a drinking straw, neither with pop, water, nor any other low viscosity fluid. I'll also add that I've never seen any fluid siphon its way up any cylinder (such as a hollow cantilever) on the outside surface, especially with a low viscosity fluid, even when viewed under a mid to high powered microscope.

I've used liquid stylus cleaners since the 1970's and haven't encountered any sonic denegration, nor accelerated wear on the various high quality cartridges that I've owned throughout that time.

Liquid stylus cleaners work very well, properly used.

Having had the same experience, even a little longer, I fully agree with jacks' findings.