Audio-Magic Blackout Paint


Sounds kinda weird I know, but as I am a true believer in everything that Jerry does at Audio-Magic, I decided to give his tube paint a try. Apparently, it keeps EMI/RFI from getting into the tubes. It also prevents stray tube emissions from affecting any adjacent tubes. All I know is that it works! I painted the power supply tubes in my phono stage which consists of one ECL 82 power tube, one EZ80 rectifier, and one StR 85/10 regulator tube. The difference in tonality-richer and more dense midrange, was apparent right away. Because the paint is easily washed off with a moist cloth, I was able to hear back and forth what was going on. Sure enough, the naked tubes sounded threadbare and a bit coarse and grainy. I brushed up the tubes again, and re-listened. The dimensionality and focus came back. What I also heard was a "realness" to the music-like I had more of a connection to the performance.
The cost of this upgrade is very small in relation to the performance boost. Give it a try!
theskudra

Showing 2 responses by davidpritchard

I received my bottle of Audio Magic Blackout paint this week. I have tried it on an Art Audio PX-25 amplifier and an Eddie Current- Zana Deux headphone amp. I applied it first to the rectifier tubes and the driver tubes. A nice sonic improvement was immediately noted. Better clarity with less grain. Tighter bass. Female vocals wre more relaxed and yet no loss of emotion. Overall I did not get a sense of something being subtracted, as some tweeks I have tried seem to do. I did try one tube (6SL7GT) with, then paint removed, then reapplied. I liked the improvement and so the paint stays on. The paint is easily removed with water and a soft cloth.

I am of the opinion most tube systems will hear a decided benefit after application of Audio Magic Blackout Paint.