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.
All this chitter-chatter, chitter-chatter, chitter-chatter 'bout Shmatta, shmatta, shmatta, I can't give it away on 7th Avenue This town's been wearing tatters (shattered, sha ooobie shattered)
That's what makes our town the best Pride and joy and dirty dreams and still surviving on the street And look at me, I'm in tatters, yeah I've been battered, what does it matter
Don't you know the crime rate is going up, up, up, up, up To live in this town you must be tough, tough, tough, tough, tough! You got rats on the West Side Bed bugs uptown What a mess this town's in tatters, I've been shattered My brain's been battered, splattered all over Manhattan
I’m not bothered at all by what you consider "bullies". Maybe they are bullies just to you. Whatever.
It is true however that Mad Scientist Audio’s graphene contact enhancer products are $79 tops, so that’s hard to ignore.
Otherwise I have no stake and don’t care to get involved and will let my wallet do the talking. I’m sure that low road response will be coming, but I’ll be elsewhere.
The oft mentioned solution to aggressive trolls is to ignore them, and they'll go away. The problem is, they don't. Moderators do what they can, with limited time and resources, but I think it’s up to us, the majority who can carry on a civil and decent conversation with those we may disagree with, to let them know they are not welcome here.
You read the posts by the “usual suspect” trolls, with long histories of derailing threads, and you’re upset with him? It's about time someone called them out for what they are.
There are members here, almarg being a prime example, who can post with genuine questions, concerns, or skepticism, and still make a contribution to the discussion. This crowd is a different story.
So, after being under constant attack in three different threads over three years, you decide that "Quite a salesman" doesn't have the right to defend himself? Should I remain nothing more than a whipping boy for certain member's infantile egos? Exactly how much crap should a "salesman" have to take before he/she begins to fight back?
Your solution is to punish a product? Too bad, jaybe, because its a great product in spite of what the nay-saying bullies are trying to do here. If you don't buy, they win and achieve their objective ... which is to crush another businessman. They get their rocks off doing this stuff. Yes, its a great product ... and if you don't buy because of my defenses, you will be cutting off your nose to spite your face.
And by the way, in spite of what the bullies would have you believe, if you don't buy, its no skin off of my nose at all. I make nothing off of the sales ... NOTHING. I'm just a fellow audiophile who has found a couple of products that has transformed his audio system and had the desire to share the information with other hobbyists just like you.
Try to understand, I'm not talking about all those who post here. I'm talking about the main offenders. The rest of the offenders are just followers. I understand that.
If you go through all three threads -- the two fuse threads and this one, you'll see the same voices spouting the same nonsense. In spite of the overwhelming evidence, they STILL slam after market fuses and the directional quality of those fuses. And now, they come into this thread with keyboards blazing in an effort to destroy this thread as well. Remember ... they haven't seen the product, haven't touched the product, haven't tried the product, and they haven't heard the product. And yet ... they know exactly how it looks, feels and sounds ... with only negative input spewing forth from them.
Would you say that the majority here has found the SR fuses to be a worthwhile upgrade? I would ... probably about 99% positive after tens of thousands of fuses have been sold to a satisfied international audience. The same will hold true with the "Constant Contact." The improvement is that obvious.
Haven't read thru all the posts on this but have found a Graph ene solution made by Mad Scientist Audio. Might want to check out their site. Large price difference.
Almost forgot, that audio myth slide show of Mr Kite that shadorne posted is from 2001. The amazing thing is folks still think like that almost 20 years later. Looking on the bright side, I guess we would not have audio forums if everyone agreed. Kind of the yin and the yang. 😛
The Dale Carnegie Institute offers all manner of programs that purport to help salespersons enhance sales techniques. "Winning With Relationship Selling" A brief quote from their website:
"A strong customer relationship allows the sales organization to build trust, offer insights, and then help the customer."
I’m neither affiliated nor a salesman, merely someone interested in audio and, maybe, who knows, a potential customer. What we’ve got here sure ain’t Dale Carnegie. :)
"Actually, I am self employed, I do in fact run my own business, and at this very moment, am typing this from my winter home in Florida. These days I find New England too chilly this time of year."
Well, congratulations Carp. What business are you in? Just curious.
By the way, I find it a bit odd that you would mention your winter home in Florida. Why is that germane to this conversation??? Please explain ....
Hi everyone! I just beta tested this terrific new thingy. It's a box shaped device. I brought it into my house, and all my lights shone like the sun, my stereo's been replaced by a magic teleportation device that whisks me off to any live music performance in history, my electric meter started running backwards, and my clothes washed themselves! Not only that, when I brought it back outside, roses started blooming, birds started singing sweeter, and Mary Poppins came down and handed me a satchel full of Bitcoins! These boxes are soon going to be available for only $299! Just don't ask me how it works, because that would be scientific mumbo jumbo, and only ignorant naysayers want that! Also don't ask about a refund, because there isn't one. That's right! No proof it works, and none of that refund foolishness if it doesn't. Because, after all, we all know how dishonest we all are....Now, how many can you I put you all down for??
" Your hyperbolic prose-"They lead narrow, darkened little lives and get their rocks off by tearing at the seams of the dreams of others..." "As far as I’m concerned, they are attempting to destroy those with an entrepreneurial spirit and even the free enterprise system itself..."
Let me guess ... You have never signed the back of a paycheck. You have always worked for someone else. You are very comfortable getting all of the "free" benefits offered you by your employer. You wouldn’t dare attempt to open your own business, or take a financial risk in bringing a new product to market, and you think anyone who takes these risks is nutz. You are still a fairly young guy without a whole lot of experience dealing with the public. How correct is this? Also, to boot, I’d venture to guess that you’re not an astute student of history. And finally, you’re a true blue Bernie fan, aren’t you? :-)
I believe you are truly sincere. Honest, I do. *lol*
Stay tuned carp .... all of your technical questions will be answered in due time. Even then, you won’t buy the product ... too much "risk" for you. No "fairies, pixie dust, and magic paste" for you, remember? Console yourself with the thought that you are not alone. There’s a whole gaggle of your ilk posting here. Haven’t seen the product. Haven’t used the product. Haven’t heard the product, .... but think nothing of destroying the product and its future success with their inane BS before its even released. What kind of warped pleasure is there in that? Again, the nay-sayers really need to check their premises and state their intent. But then, that would take a little introspection and a whole lot of testicular fortitude, wouldn’t it? Truly scary stuff my man ...
Glad to see thecarpathian removed the reference to a certain current public figure that offended one of the mods, and reposted. This version should survive.
Hi, Frank! My goodness, there you go again with that hyperbolic foolishness. Can’t answer my questions so you resort to petty insults, name calling, and now my mental state is being called into question. And here I was being civil. Nevertheless, here is my point by point rebuttal:
1. Your hyperbolic prose-"They lead narrow, darkened little lives and get their rocks off by tearing at the seams of the dreams of others..." "As far as I’m concerned, they are attempting to destroy those with an entrepreneurial spirit and even the free enterprise system itself..." THAT’S not hyperbole?? Well, maybe not the first one. That’s just lousy writing. 2. I ask what the heck is micro-arching and you go off on some ridiculous tangent about typos, Dan Quayle, and his spelling abilities. I plainly said I didn’t believe it was a typo. It’s also quite plain you have no idea what it is, yet you state the product prevents it. Interesting. And apparently, you and Dan Quayle had the same spelling teacher, because you are embarrassingly wrong- the plural of potato is in fact, ready?POTATOES! Yeah, just like I spelled it in my text. If you need to know how to spell any other basic words, just ask and I’ll explain.
3. Magic paste no money back guarantee-You just proved you believe people are inherently dishonest, and anyone who thinks they aren’t is being naive. Does that include those who hype certain pastes? I like to think there is a lot more honesty in the world than not. But what do I know? I’m wearing my rose colored glasses.
4. You are taking a partial statement and giving a rebuttal that has nothing to do with the rest of the statement. Nothing.
5. The post you missed- I clearly state the audio reviewer states this, word for word mind you, as fact in his review. Didn’t you read it??! Perhaps you should go back and enlighten yourself.
6. Proof that it does as claimed- You got me, Frank. I believe in having evidence that something works before I spend my money on it. How ignorant of me. What do you believe in, fairies, pixie dust, and magic paste?
7. I hope the product works and you don’t believe me- Don’t you think inferring I’m a liar is an assault on my integrity? Or are you psychic and know everything I hope and know? You’re not psychic, are you?? I’m only asking because you’ve accused others of being so, and I thought it might be a nifty club to join. My personal favorite- "I tend to believe that even answering each of your questions in detail, you still will remain a skeptic..."Each of my questions?? Start with one of my questions.Honestly, Frank, you’re really not helping your cause at all.....
"Does this Total Contact stuff pose any health hazards? I do realize that it’s intended to be applied in relatively tiny quantities, and that the container itself is relatively tiny."
Not if you hire a professional electrician to do your circuit breaker panel. Do it yourself and you may run into a "health hazard."
On second thought, you can do your own research. Try it as a sauce on your spaghetti. You never know, you may find another breakthrough. After all, shadrone found it useful to cure his hemorrhoids and he claims that as a result, he’s experienced "additional benefits." So far, he hasn’t explained what the benefits of a tighter sphincter are, but I suspect he will be answering the question soon enough. You will, won’t you shadrone?? Inquiring minds really want to know ...
Ah, I see that The Carpathian's last, long, but IMO excellent post has unfortunately been removed. I'm merely speculating, but perhaps it was because he made passing mention of a certain public figure.
I don't know how long the waiting line is for "total contact" at this point, but I do think it will be interesting to see how the dynamics of the market place play out. More hard info on the product itself would certainly be useful to many folks. I can understand that if the product doesn't perform optimally until about 8 weeks, how a 30-day money back warranty would not be practical.
Winner of the grand prize for posting the stupidest, most inane words so far in the thread. Congrats to you and your’s. Please try to make a little more sense next time. Thanks ...
Oh and by the way, your comments regarding the Tesla really aren't far fetched. Oddly enough, I had that exact conversation with Tim this morning. He'll explain later ... so that even you will understand.
On the contrary, not only does TC fix light bulbs and old TVs but if you apply it appropriately it will cure a bad case of hemorrhoids with additional benefits. It is truly amazing."
Would you like to fill us in on those "additional benefits?"
"
Do you have any information on how the ordering process is? Will there be a product website to order from?"
Stay tuned, Les ... the ordering process is being worked out as we speak. Just one more little detail among hundreds to bring the product to market. Tim Mrock will make the announcement soon.
"Thanks once again for taking the time to test out the product and putting your neck on the line in this forum to inform everyone here about the improvements in SQ you hear.
Cheers,"
Thank you, Les. I wish everyone had a positive attitude like you have exhibited in your posts.
On the SR Black fuses ... as good as the Blacks are, the SR Blue fuses kill them.
If Frank (the OP) were selling a car he manufactured it would be advertised by him thusly:
My automobile is gorgeous but you have to buy it before you see it. It has a twin cylinder engine that gets 800mpg, Goes zero to 60 in 2 seconds; has a top end of of 245mph and will pull a 4000 ton trailer. No, sorry, you cannot test drive it.
It has leather, A/C and all the goodies you would normally find in a luxury performance automobile. What? No, I'm sorry there is no warranty at all and it cannot be returned.
No...there was no science or engineering in it's design and if any research was done, the data is not available to consumers. Besides...why do you care about that? It's just not important.
But it is a great product and I'm expecting the market to quickly prove how wonderful it truly is. Trust me!
And...if you question why you cannot see it before buying, has no warranty, cannot be returned or the absence of development test data to validate performance, I'll just opine that anyone that asks such questions is a dummy.
On the contrary, not only does TC fix light bulbs and old TVs but if you apply it appropriately it will cure a bad case of hemorrhoids with additional benefits. It is truly amazing.
The business model of releasing an inexplicable tweak and charging enough money for it to make it seem valuable has an established pattern that seems unique to audio. Non existent patent claims (does anybody think it’s difficult to look up patents?) for the remedy of a non existent problem (fuse performance issues that don’t exist, micro-arcing issues nobody knew were issues), and non existent basic technical justification from the manufacturers (ask Ted Denny about the theory behind the development of his Magic $150 Fuses and he’ll simply become unhinged) are all part of this stuff. Get somebody to to rave about it and attribute astonishing sonic improvement to its use (contact enhancer…it more than cleans the contacts, it adds Current Flow Mojo that otherwise isn’t there!) attack critics as tin eared naysayers, and yer off and running! I clean contacts in my rig from time to time (it doesn’t sound better, it simply makes me feel better), but to say something makes contacts more "contacty" because of alleged micro-arcing issues, thus rendering your system more musical should be questioned by anybody who’s not on the Magic Bus already…also, is the goo directional? I tested the SR fuses supplied to me and determined they were a useless sham…hey, I tried…if somebody sends me some magic goo I’ll test that also, if I’m not first burnt up in a flaming blue light of micro-arcing.
If the following question has already been addressed, my apologies.
Does this Total Contact stuff pose any health hazards? I do realize that it's intended to be applied in relatively tiny quantities, and that the container itself is relatively tiny.
Kite was VP engineering at Audio Precision. The company that makes and sells audio test instruments that manufacturers and Stereophile use. So he was biased towards measurements...but I wouldn’t totally dismiss what he says unless I was a Snake Oil Salesman.
>>>Good for him. I judge a person by his words, not his credentials. You know, saying a person is correct because of his credentials or education is a big red flag🚩- you know, an Appeal to Authority. Besides, I didn’t totally dismiss what he says. But I did stop reading when I saw where he was coming from. His “audio myths” are frequently Strawman arguments, I.e., pseudo arguments, made up arguments. For example, nobody thinks that analog has unlimited bandwidth or has unlimited resolution. That’s absurd. Another Strawman argument of Kite’s is his supposed audio myth that cables act as rectifiers. Huh? Nobody ever said that. Where does he come up with this stuff? Give me a break! Alas, he’s just another pseudo skeptic with an axe to grind. The internet is littered with them. You don’t have to look too hard 👀 to find some PhD in something or another that has it in for audiophiles. In fact, “Zen and the Art of Debunkery” was actually about folks like Kite. To whit,
“As the millennium turns, science seems in many ways to be treading the weary path of the religions it presumed to replace. Where free, dispassionate inquiry once reigned, emotions now run high in the defense of a fundamentalized "scientific truth." As anomalies mount up beneath a sea of denial, defenders of the Faith and the Kingdom cling with increasing self-righteousness to the hull of a sinking paradigm. Faced with provocative evidence of things undreamt of in their philosophy, many otherwise mature scientists revert to a kind of skeptical infantilism characterized by blind faith in the absoluteness of the familiar. Small wonder, then, that so many promising fields of inquiry remain shrouded in superstition, ignorance, denial, disinformation, taboo . . . and debunkery.
Put on the right face. Cultivate a condescending air certifying that your personal opinions are backed by the full faith and credit of God. Adopting a disdainful, upper-class manner is optional but highly recommended.”
Kite was VP engineering at Audio Precision. The company that makes and sells audio test instruments that manufacturers and Stereophile use. So he was biased towards measurements...but I wouldn’t totally dismiss what he says unless I was a Snake Oil Salesman.
Just to point out the long winded Audio Myths slide show is by Kite, not Kait. 😁 Ironically, Kite is from Oregon. I got as far as when he states all tests that are not blind are worthless. Then I stopped reading. What a load of horse hockey! He’s also all wet on his claim the burden of proof is on the person making the claim. He’s just another pseudo skeptic.
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