New Tweak --- Its Fantastic


THE NEW TWEAK

Over the good part of this past year I’ve been beta testing a new tweak, the name of which is "Total Contact." Its a hi-bred graphene contact enhancer that is different from all other contact enhancers that have come and gone for one reason or another. I’m not new to these contact enhancers, having had quite a bit of experience with a product developed by the late Brian Kyle and his "Quick Silver" contact enhancer. The "Total Contact" is different ... a LOT different.

"Total Contact" is graphene based and is not a vibration control. It eliminates micro-arching between two contacts. Micro-arching, much like Micro-vibration smears the sound in our stereo systems. Its the type of distortion that we don’t know is there .... until we eliminate it. There is no break-in as we know it. The sound is improved right off the bat, but what you hear is only a smidgen of what’s to come.

I tested three generations of "TC," each of which was an improvement over the previous incarnation. The final mix was cryogenitically treated and made for a more effective, much smoother application. It comes in a large hypodermic needle type plunger containing 1.5 ml of product and includes a instructional DVD and an application brush.

The application should be applied with a very thin coat to all of your electrical connections .... from your cartridge pins to your power cords. I did my entire system, including the ends of my fuses.

Upon initial application, you will notice an improvement in clarity, correctness of tonal balance and a more overall organic sound. But ... that is just scratching the surface of what this magic paste does. As it cures, the improvements become more apparent. Much more!

There are two real break-through events that happen almost to the day with "Total Contact," one at four weeks and another at eight weeks . At four weeks, you’ll get a real jump in clarity and overall improvement. That’s only a taste though of what’s to come at eight weeks. At eight weeks your system’s focus will make a jump in SQ that is so real - its surreal.

After 40 years in the hobby, and a total tweak nut, I have never heard anything that does what this graphene paste does. The see-through clarity at eight weeks becomes simply amazing. The "paste" eventually cures into a kind of polymer plastic and it seems that the sound improves with each listening session. So, its important that you leave your contacts alone for the duration. If you’re the type of person that continually switches wires in and out, you’ll have to re paste until enough time has elapsed to get "the cure."

The only problem I had was with the first batch and that had to do with shorting out a tube pin in the line stage. Use the "TC" very sparingly on tube pins, if at all. I only had problems with the line stage tube pins. The Amp, CD Player and Phono Stage has had no tube pin problems at all.

Tim Mrock, one of our fellow A’goners, is the developer of the product. Its taken Tim 15 years and several patents to get it right. Tim has "pasted" every electrical contact he can find in his audio system, all of the switches in his circuit breaker box, every contact in his car ... and has used it in commercial applications such as hospital circuit breakers, surgical lights ... and other places where efficiency and long life of electrical components are deemed important.

This product is highly recommended to anyone who truly wants to get the most out of his/her audio systems. There’s enough product in each tube to do at least two audio systems as it just takes a very thin coat on each application to be effective. The last tube was enough to do my system twice and then a friend’s system this past weekend.


Frank

PS: There were a couple of other A’goner beta testers of this product as well. Hopefully, they will chime in here with their experiences for comparison. I "pasted" both of Steve Fleschler’s systems a few days ago, perhaps he will comment on his results too. We forgot to paste Steve’s power cords though, so there’s a lot more to be had from Steve’s two fantastic systems.

Frank
128x128oregonpapa
If I’m not mistaken, Deoxit is a time proven product that even professionals use commonly. Maybe this stuff will achieve that someday even with the much higher cost.
Wolfie sez ...


"Note that a 25ML little bottle of Deoxit "Power Booster" claiming similar sonic results costs around 20 bucks. I do know THAT stuff works."

How many years did it take for you to make the decision to try Deoxit "Power Booster?" They must have really rejoiced down there at the Olde Deoxit Factory.

Frank

I just painted the teeny tiny pins of my LG HDTV and LG Blu Ray player. I first used a toothpick but I kind of doubt that does a thorough job. What I did next was use the brush applicator and that worked fine, no biggie. I used a cotton swab to remove any graphene from the metal ring surrounding the connectors, there was a teeny tiny amount visible on the cotton swab. I’m watch The Martian as we speak. No problemo.
Frank and brigoul,

I used it only on the onside of my USB A&B connections. That along with the speaker cables were the first connections that I treated in my office system and found that to make a significant reduction in the digital glare/hardness I was hearing. My hands are not that steady to go inside.

good luck.

rc
Note that for every 10 bottles of this stuff, $3000 goes somewhere, with a forum based promotional campaign unique to only a few products I know of: SR fuses, both black and blue (and maybe one other red version can be included), and this Magic Goo campaign. Nearly identical hyperbole utilized in each case, specifics of pricing included, and a host of clearly insecure supporters who bristle at being criticized for any aspect of this hype-athon, and keep a threat to  "report you to Audiogon" on the table if you dare question their claims in a manner they don't approve of. If this tweak works to any degree close to what has been claimed, that's fine, and the market will eventually decide whether to support it…but a pattern has been established that I feel sullies the entire critical process if not the spirit of this forum, and casts doubt on the motivation of many overenthusiastic promotors, early beta testers, and unhinged husbands actively praising a simple contact enhancer…that costs 300 bucks. Note that a 25ML little bottle of Deoxit "Power Booster" claiming similar sonic results costs around 20 bucks. I do know THAT stuff works. 
Use a toothpick to get to the pins. Also, its been suggested here by other users that we paste the entire outside of the HDMI cable connections. 

Frank
Can I use the TC on HDMI cables?  Would it just be used to treat the outside part of the connection or to the individual pins?


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Tim,

Perfectly understood from a liability standpoint. I will call you when I get closer to doing it. Your instructions over the phone were easy enough to follow, on the specialized interconnects I have, in the beginning.

Thanks

rc
@resolution1  As much as I would like to, not until it has a UL listing.
If you are going to go through the expense, of hiring a electrician, I
would suggest giving me a call, I can help you figure out how deep
you wanna go  in the panel. 
Tim,

Will there be an example on how to do that in the you tube video? I looks like I will still have enough to do the breaker box connections after I complete the main system. With the help of my electrician!

rc
@fazee Make sure you do all the grounds in the the breaker box, also if you can follow the grounding wire to their rods, applying TC to the wire and clamp yields excellent results. Massive reduction in the noise floor.
For those who have tried, can you describe which part of the SR Black Duplex you have pasted TC on? I am planning on getting the electrician who installed my duplex over to remove it as well as the distributor box for me to paste the TC.
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Tommylion,

I am am having a great time listening and trying out new music. The only complaint I have is that I am listening longer into the night and losing sleep but that is on me.

rc


^^^ ... There is one personality type whose biggest fear is being taken advantage of. 

Frank
Why not get excited about something that actually makes significant, clearly audible, improvements? Isn’t that what this hobby is all about? It’s supposed to be fun! What a bunch of wet blankets. You're so worried that somebody might be taking you for a ride, that you lose the joy of it all.

“Highly recommended!
Graphene is the future of audio...”

Well, let’s not get crazy. Graphene has been used in audiophile products for what, at least two years. And exotic contact enhancers have been around for at least fifteen years. This thread is a little bit like Boy Scouts looking at their first Playboy.

“Stereo is the future of audio!” - excitable audiophile, 1955
Can someone test this stuff on a circular saw ? Or a table saw ? Maybe a vacuum cleaner ? Common sense says it should make an improvement after reading the testimonials . 
Post removed 
I just reported to  Audiogon an email concerning shadorne LYING about anyone receiving a commission.  This forum is not a promotional venue for anyone other than Tim Mrock of Total Contact.  This forum is for presentation of a new tweak's properties by those who have used it and for those who are interested in it's use.  
Hi Tim,

When can we expect to see the video and your website to go live?  thx.
Just calling a spade a spade or do you deny that this thread is purely promotional in nature on your part. You even admitted you get commission.
Folkfreak,

The last thing I wanted to do was crawl behind the equipment again and do all this stuff but after I changed out the duplex outlet and got the gains in resolution that I got, application did not seem so bad. 

As as per the isolation vs power cleanup, I can only tell you about a story involving Still points. I had just gotten the Audience the Ones V2, in the office, and the 1+1 V2+ in the main system. All was fine, but I thought it could use further resolution, so I got four boxes of stillpoint minis, for a week and half long trial from my dealer/friend to float the speakers As per the stillpoint hierarchy. 

Within 4 days I removed them from both systems since I got an ear ache after listening to both systems almost immediately. My dealer had never encountered this in his many years of experience. At that time I asked if I could try out an Audience power cable for a couple of days and it was a substantial improvement, at the time. To make a long story short, the the power got cleaner, over about a year of cable replacements. The stillpoints came back using their hierarchy. They are finally under all components of both systems and no ear aches.

This might be the reason that the TC treatments have made such a profound effect in my system. I’m glad I took the plung. 

I hope this this helps some,

rc
I've been following this thread with some interest and am in theory interested in using TC in the context of my system (although given it's complexity and number of connections applying TC is not something I'd relish short of a full breakdown if/when I move). 

Anyway I was struck by some of the varying experiences with this, and with other similar system level tweaks (e.g. fuses, footers, damping materials etc) and a possible expalantion of what might be going on

In a nutshell my hypothesis is that for tweaks of this nature (i.e. those that address spurious noise, interference, resonances, subtler room effects and all sorts of potential impediments to hearing what was originally in the recording) far from there being a law of diminishing returns there is in fact a system of increasing returns

What do I mean? I mean that as you reduce noise (I'll use this term to mean all potential sources of non original signal distortion) of all sorts the marginal benefit of removing each additional level of noise is larger i.e. as you can resolve more you gain a greater appreciation of removing each additional bit of interference

This effect should be independent of the absolute level of investment in active hardware (assuming a decent source and resolving speakers, plus enough room treatment that you can hear any type of change)

Certainly it's my experience that the more I address "problems" in reproduction the greater benefit I get from each small tweak (e.g. most recently careful application of foQ material). This also helps explain the "aha"/big change experience sometimes associated with what may seem minor tweaks -- in the context of such an optimized system the change may seem large while in another system no or little effect may be apparent

Of course the other approach to getting to this audio nirvana is to simplify the system to remove potential sources of interference (lets call this a Kaitian philosophy) -- unfortunately not the route I've chosen to go down 😉but if I was to start again it's quite appealing
Ozzy ... 

Just the opposite of geoffkait ... :o)

SR Level III power cords. (Highly recommended)

Von Gaylord "Legend" IC's and speaker cables. (Highly recommended.)

Frank
Ozzy,

In the office system: All Audience power chords, 1- Powerchord SEi and 1- AU 24SEi MP, aR2p power conditioner, Audience OHNO interconnect, an Office Depot (I know a bottleneck) powerstrip and an Audio quest diamond usb to the Dac. 

Rc


Easy to hear improvement on my cables which are terminated wth Shadow rca's Tom
Frank,

I had not thought of that. The logic is sound. I will do that once I am done with the rest of the main system then treat the same audio grade duplex in the office system as well as the standard builder grade duplex that the TVs are plugged into. That ought to be a fun experiment. I will let you know the results when I get to it.

Thanks,

rc
I was wondering what type of cables you guys are using with the TC compound?  
My cabling loom is the new top of the line Cerious Technologies Matrix cables (power, interconnects and speaker cables). These use the Shadow XLR's and WBT speaker connections.
Perhaps with lesser cabling adding some TC material on the ends would make for a better conductor?

ozzy
I am glad TC works for you with your audio listening. that is all that is important
rc ...

Thanks for the suggestion of treating the power conditioner plugs. I just knew I had forgotten something. :o)

Did you just treat the plugs, or did you treat the internal wires as well? 

Frank
@resolution1 Yes I have, and I get the point you are making. I am elated
that you are enjoying my product, and thank you for your continued support and contribution!

T minus 5 days till a couple of lift offs.
oregonpapa, theaudiotweak, nonoise,

No extortion. I was asked by Tim to try his product. Perhaps the "blend" I received was faulty. It did come out of the syringe as a thick tooth paste.

But, you betcha I am not going to lay down $300 more to try another batch of goop. Isn’t that the definition of insanity?
But, like I said, I WOULD PAY for it gladly if it was better than the first sample or I would return it immediately if it was again no good. I’m not looking for any freebie...

I have always been a tweaker and have posted about items many times in the Audiogon forum.

Frank, Tom, and you others my audio system is posted on Audiogon for all to see. I have no reason other than to let others know that this product should be tried first.

$300 bucks is not that much to pay for a product that provides that "awesome" improvement. But, since I tried it already I would need to "TRY" it again, hopefully to join the bandwagon.

ozzy
Tim, 

I installed an audio grade duplex outlet, without any TC treatment (cost $80.00), about 6 months ago and it was a nice upgrade in musical resolution. However, after treating the Audience aRP2-TO power conditioner plugs last week with TC and just plugging it back in, it was an upgrade equal to those two upgrades together.

So far so good!

rc
Look at the photos you can see where the graphene was added on the sides and on some screws..there are other safe places it could be applied for even greater resolution.

One of the first things I applied the product was on the end caps of standard glass fuses. Made something really good out of nothing.
This product is of great value and is more than just a tool. Tom
I decided to try the TC on my old EAR 324 phono pre-amp because I knew that I would gain more bass and more colorful, detailed mids using TC as it did everywhere else.

The problem I had with the EAR 324 was an impedance mismatch (too high or too low settings at 150 ohms and 400 ohms when I needed 220 ohms). With the middle gain setting and the 400 ohm setting,

I was shocked to hear a balanced, open, full bodied rich sound. Maybe my SUT and tube phono stage isn’t as clean/clear sounding as the 324. Now I’m using the 324 again due to TC adding what was not sounding correct in the equipment (open but too tonally thin vs, tonally rich but closed in). (Aside-Benz recommended a 400+ ohm setting but the cartridge has a 3.5 mv output and is a 45 ohm type so 220 ohms was recommended by several SUT manufacturers).
Tim,

You may have seen this already, it looks like $250.00 for one duplex outlet treated with Graphene, for what I have been able to treat two systems and I will still have some left over when I am finished. 

Black UEF Duplex treated with Graphene.
the claims are similar.

rc


Sucks doesn't  it..A single person trying to get something for nothing..using duress as a pry tool on a hobby forum. Tom
Is there an episode of attempted extortion being played out in this public forum? Tom
How many Beta testers were there? That’s really the question. Nobody knows except one person. 😳 The other question, of course, is will customers of the commercial product report negative results? Maybe not.