Frank
New Tweak --- Its Fantastic
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
Randy brilliantly sez: "to determine if what one hears through one's own ears is really not just confirmation bias, a basic familiarity with science would be required" Uhh, how about 40 years experience in the audio hobby Randy? Would that make up for a lack of a chemistry degree or a doctorate in electrical engineering ... just a weensy bit? Then the number one Mensa member sez: " I AM CERTAIN that you will have independent testing done with valid statistical analysis before marketing this very expensive product." You can be as "certain" as you want, randy. I'm not doing any scientific analysis. I'm not the developer. Perhaps you should read the entire thread starting at page one before making anymore comments or making your own analysis of what I hear and/or think. Good Lord, what kind of engineer are you anyway? Wait, on second thought randy ... keep the comments coming ... bump the thread to keep the international audience in place, remember?? Geeze, do you guyz think before you post? Frank |
Ironically, a strong belief in science and/or having an advanced degree in science is actually a Roadblock to progress in this hobby. Just see how much and by whom Science is bandied about on these threads, as if the sacred Laws of Physics or Electricity have been sullied or broken. Give me a break! And why is it those who jump in to protect the sacred laws of science never say anything uh, scientific or technical. Because they can’t? Hmmmm.... “Knowledge is what’s left after you subtract all the stuff you forgot from school.” - old audiophile saw |
an advanced engineering degree in electronics is not needed to determine what one hears through one's own ears, but is needed to design products, esp. ones claiming to be better than others - a chemistry degree would help too to determine if what one hears through one's own ears is really not just confirmation bias, a basic familiarity with science would be required I AM CERTAIN that you will have independent testing done with valid statistical analysis before marketing this very expensive product. It is not just a spendy shill, is it? |
You guys are way too funny. Too bad they closed most of the mental institutions. Its obvious that I hit the intended nerve in my last post. You are way too transparent guyz, way too transparent. randy11 ... and others ... Since when does one need an advanced engineering degree in electronics to determine what one hears through one's own ears? Come on man, some of the most socially backward people I know have engineering degrees. Not taking anything away from engineers of course, but they DO march to the beat of a different drummer. Like all personality types, engineers have their own specific fears ... mainly the fear of criticism. Heck, I've known engineers who cannot even take a simple suggestion let alone a criticism without blowing a cork. When engineers buy, they buy based upon 90% logic and 10% emotion. The world of the vast non-insane buys based upon 90% emotion and 10% logic. Engineers suffer from analysis paralysis, while the non-insane world has no problem making decisions within seconds that would take the engineer weeks, if not months to make. I spent 40 years of my sales career selling real estate ... a business that most folks posting here would flat out fail at. I've actually had engineers ask me how thick the friggin' drywall is. What? Was I supposed to drill a hole and measure the thickness? My favorite was the guy who showed up for his final walk-through wearing a short sleeved striped dress shirt, a pair of plaid shorts, black socks and wing tips. He was smoking a pipe and blew smoke under the kitchen hood to see how effective the exhaust fan worked. At least he didn't have his hat on backward .... but I just couldn't miss the slide rule in his shirt pocket. :-) I hope the naysayers continue posting their nonsense in the thread. Every time they post, they bump the thread to the top of the list exposing it to an international audience. I have no doubt that once the word gets out about Tim's product, it will sell like hotcakes. What exactly does "Total Contact" do for an audio system? 1. Increases the holegraphic effect of the presentation. 2. Increases the realism of the instruments - much more organic. 3. A "see through" quality (at eight weeks) that was totally unattainable before. For the price of $299.99 a sane person would think its a bargain. The mentally challenged? The guy with the loose wire? The guy with the ax to grind? Well, they're on their own and will remain marching to the beat of that different drummer wondering what the hell just happened ... as they continue bumping this thread in the direction of north. Thank you for that ... Frank |
shadorne @geoffkait Frank has a classic case of “projection” - just because he is a busy paid shill for several tweak businesses, he suspects naysayers must be the same. Although in Frank’s view the naysayers are working actively to shill other products where they have their own vested interest and are therefore paid to attack his vested interests. You can’t cheat an honest man. - Old audiophile saw geoff kait, audio insider |
@geoffkait Frank has a classic case of “projection” - just because he is a busy paid shill for several tweak businesses, he suspects naysayers must be the same. Although in Frank’s view the naysayers are working actively to shill other products where they have their own vested interest and are therefore paid to attack his vested interests... |
Frank I’m beginning to think that some of the Debbie Downers have ulterior motives in their attempted destruction of any new product. Could it be that they have their own tweak businesses like Geoff, or perhaps they work for another manufacturer and are threatened by innovators like Ted Denny and Tim Mrock? Or even more likely, they lead narrow, darkened little lives and get their rocks off by tearing at the seams of the dreams of others. >>>>Whoa! What? Geez, Louise, and they thought they were paying for some nice favorable comments. They got a lot more than that. They got a drama major with 50+ years of experience. You do have a vivid imagination, I’ll grant you that. “...by tearing at the seams of the dreams of others.”That’s Gold, Frank, Gold! You missed your calling. |
oreganpapa sez: "You can totally rely on one thing ... none of the genius naysayers in this and the fuse threads will have the testicular fortitude to step forward and be the first in line to buy it." Really? It takes balls to buy a useless product? Those that understand the psychology of expectation bias and the brevity of audio memory with regards to subtle micro-changes (if they exist at all), don't need balls to buy this product...they already have the smarts to see it for what it is - a waste of money. I likely love music and audio as much as you do but I suspect you have thrown way more money at it than I..and you likely do not enjoy it more. |
^^^ marqmike ... Thanks for the kind words. They are very much appreciated. Because I love music, I love this hobby. The closer I can get to the live performance, the better I like it. When I discover a product that gets me closer to the music, then I want to share the information. That's it in a nutshell. No ulterior motive ... just honest evaluations as I hear them. Frank |
Frank I think you come over as sincere. I do not see you hiding anything or have any reason to. You have more to lose if you are trying to pull a fast one(which I do not see that even close to happening). Some people are scared or distrust even there own shadow. You can let that be their problem. I hope that doesn't come off as I am telling you what to do, it is just a viewpoint of mine. I wanted to say thanks for trying these enhancements out and keeping us up on them. Hope everyone is enjoying their systems. |
shadorne ... After 50+ years spent in a 100% commissioned sales career, my skin is about two feet thick. Your misinformed personal attacks and insults have no effect on me at all ... NONE. I hope you have a great 2018. Carry on ... ehtoo ... 1. Release date will be in about two weeks if everything goes well. Stay tuned. 2. The binder is different. No oily mess. 3. This one really works ... and it works WAY beyond the price point for the product. nkonor .. Sorry, no 30 day trial. Unlike other products that may be returned for credit, like fuses for example, this one cannot be resold. If it were allowed, Tim would end up with a bunch of returned, half-full tubes. Take a look at some of the stinking thinking in this thread ... and also the SR fuse threads being displayed by the very same negative souls. If they are so dishonest that they would denigrate a product without trying it, or knowing the effects even before a release date, would they be honest enough to give a fair evaluation of the product without using half of it, (which is more than enough to do an entire system), then sending the half tube back for a refund? This is where the free market comes into play. The initial purchasers will be taking the risk. If it works like I and others have said, then word of mouth will make the product successful. If the consumer doesn’t like it, the product will fall out of favor and it will fail. Read both of the SR fuse threads. The SR fuses are a great product currently being enjoyed by tens of thousands of consumers who are delighted with the results. And yet ... the naysayers are still spouting their nonsense about after market fuses. I’m beginning to think that some of the Debbie Downers have ulterior motives in their attempted destruction of any new product. Could it be that they have their own tweak businesses like Geoff, or perhaps they work for another manufacturer and are threatened by innovators like Ted Denny and Tim Mrock? Or even more likely, they lead narrow, darkened little lives and get their rocks off by tearing at the seams of the dreams of others. You can totally rely on one thing ... none of the genius naysayers in this and the fuse threads will have the testicular fortitude to step forward and be the first in line to buy it. In fact, they will stay in the background, continue to be drop-dead stupid, and remain as Negative Nellie’s and continue telling the rest of us what we don’t hear. They will NEVER buy the product even with all of the positive results being reported. Geoff ... Your reading comprehension needs work, Junior. In a previous post on page two I said this: " 7. I tried the SR Black and the SR Blue fuses without the "Total Contact," and with it. With it was clearly the better option. Like the other applications to power cords and IC’s for example, the results are the same type of improvement in SQ. So go ahead ... paste the end caps of your fuses and you’ll get an improvement there also. It works on every electrical contact from your circuit breakers to your speaker terminals." The very least you can do Geoff, would be to read the text before making your inane negative comments. Alcohol is a wonderful drug, isn’t it Sonny? Frank |
Fairly new here fellas but, I thought I`d distract from the tone of this tread and ask a few questions. A rough date for the official release of this product has been mentioned however, is there any word yet how it may be sold? Direct on-line or through vendors? What makes this graphene contact enhancer fundamentally different to the graphene product presently being sold on-line now? I`m intrigued by the possibilities this enhancer may hold. |
So reviewers (like Oregonpapa) can get free or extremely discounted snake oil product (TC, fuses, cables etc) in “tit-for-tat” exchange for making wild ridiculous marketing claims all over the net? (Yup - this TC tweak is better than a whole new set of electronics my boys - trust me I am independent and speak only the truth) So reviewers can then sell the used discounted cables at a later date close to list price for a tidy profit (when the latest and greatest new model of discounted cable arrives) - the wilder and more widespread the claims the more profit? Who da thunk it? Amazing. Anyone see the film “The Sting”? Anyone heard of how a ponzi scheme or confidence trickster works? |
^^^ Geoff ... This is my life ... and if you're lucky, you'll be here soon enough. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=saturday+night+live+skit+on+alexa+for+seniors&view=detail&a... Frank |
Geoff .... If you think something is "free" when you spend a year evaluating a product in three difrferent versions, taking each one off before the other one is applied, then taking copious notes as the product "breaks in," continually being in contact with the person you are doing the testing for, and finally writing about your conclusions, I have a bridge to sell you. " Frank, thanks for the purple prose. ☂️ It’s fascinating how someone who gets a free product seems obligated to defend the product to the death." ’Whoa! Hey, let’s keep this civil! I never said you were dishonest or even intimated it. I said you were incorrect. See the difference?" Geoff ... No, I don’t see where you said I was "incorrect" at all. Obligated to defend the product to the death? You mean even if the product being tested sounds like crap, but because the tester got a sample for "free" it obligates the tester to promote it regardless of sound quality? That’s not accusing someone of being "incorrect" my friend, its calling the person doing the testing a liar. See the difference? In other words Geoff ... Capish? And by the way Geoff, how would you know that my evaluations are "incorrect," when you haven’t tried the product in question and have no idea of what I, and others are hearing with the product? Or, perhaps you have tried it and have some concrete conclusions of your own. If so, spell it out. Other than just grabbing at vapors for effect, how about admitting that hey .... you liked Brian’s contact enhancer (as did I), but advancements have been made in this hobby. Maybe these guys are on to something. As good as they were Geoff, we have moved beyond Fisher 500’s. Lay the cards on the table Son, lay them on the table. :-) Frank |
tubes444 geoffkait I don't know how good SilClear was or wasn't 17 years ago period you mention. But very few companies " Stand perfectly still for 17 years in today marketplace." They! SilClear has reformulated several times. Is their 2017 offering I purchased a little better, much better, or no better? My comments where base on the 2017 SilClear Bus ride experience only. >>>>>Whatever. |
geoffkait I don't know how good SilClear was or wasn't 17 years ago period you mention. But very few companies " Stand perfectly still for 17 years in today marketplace." They! SilClear has reformulated several times. Is their 2017 offering I purchased a little better, much better, or no better? My comments where base on the 2017 SilClear Bus ride experience only. tubes444. |
Geoffkait ... "Free" has nothing to do with my evaluation. If it didn’t sound right, or the product degraded the sound, I’d say so. I feel NO obligation to report that something is a positive thing when it is not. You realize that you are questioning my honesty, right? Was there anything in my evaluation of the SR fuses .... from the original Red fuse thread, right through the Blue fuse thread, that would lead you to believe that I’m a dishonest person? If so ... name it. If you cannot name it, then perhaps you should be a little more sensitive and therefore more socially acceptable in your writings. In other words, think before you press the "post your response" button. Frank >>>>>Whoa! Hey, let’s keep this civil! I never said you were dishonest or even intimated it. I said you were incorrect. See the difference? Think of it as a friendly disagreement. Also, as I already intimated, I’d opine you’re going a little bit overboard promotion wise, considering usually the “tit for tat” is supposed to be free product (the Beta Test) in exchange for favorable comments, not some sort of year long crusade. Capish? |
oem-wheels ... The initial application is all you need unless you start removing and reconnecting your contact points. Geoffkait ... "Free" has nothing to do with my evaluation. If it didn't sound right, or the product degraded the sound, I'd say so. I feel NO obligation to report that something is a positive thing when it is not. You realize that you are questioning my honesty, right? Was there anything in my evaluation of the SR fuses .... from the original Red fuse thread, right through the Blue fuse thread, that would lead you to believe that I'm a dishonest person? If so ... name it. If you cannot name it, then perhaps you should be a little more sensitive and therefore more socially acceptable in your writings. In other words, think before you press the "post your response" button. Frank |
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Again ... I have used Caig products, both the Pro Gold and the Red contact cleaner. It always sounded a little bright after the initial applications and took maybe half of a listening session to finally calm down. Good stuff overall though. I know people who use Caig Pro Gold about once a month on all of their contacts. I used Brian's Gold/Silver paste extensively, eventually having to take it off because of the sound degradation. I really wanted it to work as Brian and I became friends, even hooking up at the CES in Vegas with the two of us going from room to room trying to demonstrate his product to the various dealers, distributors and manufactures. We got one major electronics manufacture to try it out ... and to the delight of all, it made a significant improvement in his room. I have used three sets of Tim Mrock's "Total Contact" graphene paste over the past year, each incarnation of which continued improving. No negatives to report except for one shorted tube ... my fault on this one. I don't recommend pasting the tube pins all the way to the glass. Just about a quarter way up the tube pin should do, if you do the tube pins at all. Geofffkiat ... You can believe it or not believe it ... but as we will find out when it starts getting used by other members here, "Total Contact" blows the rest of what's out there, present or past, including the Quicksilver Gold into the dust bin of audio history. Mac48025 ... My understanding is that the Walker product is a LOT ... a LOT like Brian Kyle's. Pretty much the same sound signature. The graphene/binder in"Total Contact" takes the technology to a new planet. Again, the clarity that pops open at the eight week point is incredible. Frank |
Has anyone tried Walkers Audio E-SST contact enhancer? I don't know anything about these type of products but it seems to be similar with pretty much the same promised sonic improvements. Obviously such claims are easy to make and are pretty much the same claims made by many tweaks. Having said that either the silver based E-SST or Graphene based Total Contact are intriguing. |
That may be good but NASA has been using Stabilant for dome time with a minimum of 12 years before having to reapply If not moved. Once cleaned , 99% alcohol recommrnded And goid to 450 degrees ,enhances and protects conductivity On tube pins easy yo hear the difference as well as every contact In your system . Graphene may or may not sound slightly better Stabilant is non toxic and not messy even comes with applicator brushes. Cleaning all contacts well is a must for all contacts. Cain applicators are great, not so much for the pro gold . |
GQ cost $125/2 grams back in 2014. It was listed for sale on audiogon (unknown date) for $200/4.5 grams with a very detailed review of it's beneficial properties. In 2010, an audiogon forum deried the longetivity of Walker and GQ as of that date. It apparently deteriorated after one year and required reapplication. Most posters were in accord https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/contact-enhancer-deterioration Maybe geoffkait had Mr. Kyle's latest GQ batch which was improved over 2010 batch. Since I don't have access to GQ, it will be TC for me when available. |
I haven't seen anyone on this tread mention (Sil Clear/ silver contact enhancer.) I've been using this product for some time.Found it faithful to its claims.. Proper connections prep is KEY.Several hour of burn time has been my experience. Blind test: Treatment ONE CHANNEL ONLY. All components For instant A/B. Results NO-QUESTION!! Is it the very BEST. It works 4 ME! Until a different Bus comes along. tubes444 |