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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!
128x128theskudra
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Ebm wrote,

"Herbies Audio Lab tube rings they give more definition, better dynamics better bass and they are cheap!!"

Not sure I go along with you there as the cost of Herbies Tube Damper instruments are on the order of the cost of the tubes themselves in some cases. On the other hand if you use premium tubes you might say the dampers are cost effective, or whatever, but probably not cheap. I use two dampers per tube so I definitely wouldn't say they're cheap at $30 each.
brf
1,715 posts
 
Audio Magic paint is $240 for a 8oz bottle and the paint is not reusable. Herbie's can be applied, reapplied, move to other tubes, or resold if not satisfied.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Bfr wrote,

"Audio Magic paint is $240 for a 8oz bottle and the paint is not reusable. Herbie's can be applied, reapplied, move to other tubes, or resold if not satisfied."

Geez, whaddya paintin', your house? Pretty sure the Audio Magic paint is sold in smaller bottles at considerably less cost.

Cheers
mrsilver's avatar
mrsilver
13 posts
 
The paint is sold only in 1 oz. bottles @125.00 and will do a heck of a lot of tubes.
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
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.
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