"Theres a low-level hum from the output transformer of a SET that I just bought and putting my hand on the transformer with some force eliminates the hum but after a while, the transformer gets quite hot. Before I get one, I want to find out if it will be safe. TIA :) "
I had the same problem with one of the transformers in my ARC REF-3. If I tapped the transformer, the hum would go away. Eventually, the hum wouldn't go away no matter what I did. I ended up buying a new transformer from ARC. They said that that particular transformer "never goes out." The replacement ended the problem.
A friend gave me a VPI Magic Brick years ago. The weight dampens chassis vibrations. Just go to a fishing tackle store and buy some heavy lead "sinkers" used for bottom fishing. I think they weigh three pounds or so. I have some and they do the same thing the VPI Bricks do without the fancy lipstick and mascara.
No pun intended, but can you use the VPI magic brick on a hot tranny?
Theres a low level hum from the output transformer of a SET that I just bought and putting my hand on the transformer with some force eliminates the hum but after a while, the transformer gets quite hot. Before I get one, I want to find out if it will be safe. TIA :)
Can VPI bricks be used as isolation platforms - e.g., to be used as base support for amplifiers? If so, how effective are they?
The technical term for the Magic Brick is a Back EMF Damper. They are really designed to be put on top of gear.
That said, I have tried them under equipment and know several other audiophiles that have done the same. Other than scratching the hell out of the brick, it didn’t seem to do much...
They do no harm as far as I can tell, and over the many years I've had them, any visitor who has noticed them always asks what they are. They are even more puzzled when I answer them.
@salectric When we sold our house in NY, we left many items for the buyers at their request, along with tools, garden equipment, extra filters for the HVAC, etc. I had my music room totally cleaned up- pulled out the large equipment racks, replaced carpeting, had the entire walk-in closet, which was soundproofed, stripped, spackled and repainted, etc. I also left the Magic Bricks on a shelf in that closet. I figured they would go "Hmmm, magic, wonder what these really do." They were very nice people.
That’s what they said about the Tice Clock. And the Intelligent Chip. It's likely you didn’t have the brick in the proper direction. Probably best if we throw out the negative results as outliers. Same as we do with fuses. Make sense?
I had a VPI Magic Brick way back when. I tried it on all sorts of things, preamps, power amps, CD players, FM tuner, and in lots of different locations on top of each component, and I never found a single instance where it improved the sound. The sound changed certainly but never for the better. Once your ears identify the Brick's colorations, they become easy to hear with each piece of equipment. As I recall, the colorations were a distant or recessed midrange and a steely, edgy quality in the treble. Why anyone would want those colorations is beyond me. My happiest day with the VPI Brick was the day I sold it.
I learned that magic brick has a lot in common with magic wand. What this magic brick really does is turning paper to gold, but apparently not for you phools for me yes!
So, I am in Manhattan on a shopping errand jaunt with my wife. We were at ABC furniture downtown, made our way up through Soho, stopped at the old Stereo Exchange (if memory serves, it was the small shop) and bought a stack of VPI bricks. Three- they were heavy. Like an idiot, I’m schlepping these things around town on our other stops. We finally land at the rug floor in Macy’s, and there is a demonstration of guys wearing robes and mystical garb weaving rugs. I stop at the platform where they are working and put down my package with a grunt. One of the swami dudes says, ’that looks heavy, what is it?’ I say, "magic bricks." He nods sagely, like I’m on the same mystical channel, then turns back to his loom.
If these manufacturers and reviewers have fear of tweaks like the VPI Brick what in heaven’s name will they say or do when the going gets tough. It could get pretty ugly. There are a lot more difficult to fathom or preposterous sounding things in audioland than the VPI Brick, that’s for gol dern sure. Let’s see, you got your tiny little bowl resonators, Schumann frequency generators, Morphic Message Labels, battery powered clocks, Red X Pen, green pens, purple pen, Mr. Chip. And many others. Enough to give amp manufacturers and reviewers conniptions. It’s also quite funny, maybe not funny like a clown funny, that PS Audio readership is under the impression the brick works by mass loading. I’d opine the quest for better sound inspires more creativity and invention than a Mission to Mars.
"The Magic Brick concentrates 16 layers of laminated steel on an area of 12 sq. inches. This is very effective in controlling chassis vibration and the inherent nonlinear distortions associated with it. Results do vary from unit to unit, however, some of today's most highly rated tube and solid state components do sound significanlty clearer after coming in contact with the Magic Brick. "
Why not go down to your local metal shop and get them to cut 16 pieces of plate 4"x4" (12sq. inches) paint and be done with it for less then $50. hell for that mater you local wood shop could put them in a wood box for you for another $50.
That said you have to be on glue if you think having metal massed near your amp will do anything to attract stray emf. probably the mass is helping with vibration is all. seriously read about electro magnetic principals
Just wrap the transformer with low frequency high permeability mu metal and be done with it, oh, and leave the nut on the bolt holding down the transformer slightly loose so the vibration won't couple so strongly to the chassis and everything inside it.
I bought mine new for 50.00 over 20 years ago and I wish I had bought the other one that the dealer had at that time. $150 a piece seems steep for a small wood box with iron filings in it. Perhaps there is some fairy dust in them as well?
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