In addition to regular cleaning, tape heads need to be demagnetized. Residual magnetism accumulates over time causing loss of fidelity (especially high-frequencies or video signals) and increased signal noise. Playing high-quality recordings in a magnetized machine may also remove the fidelity from your tape...like a partial erasure! Regular use of the D-512 will remove residual magnetism allowing for superior tape machine performance. In addition to the tape head, all metal parts along the tape machines tape path should be demagnetized as well. Demagnetizing is easy to do and takes just 30 seconds! Get the very best performance out of your tape machine. 110 volt operation.