Mr. Altmann was kind enough to provide me with a free sample of his Tube-o-Lator Lacquer. Mr. Altmann had gained respect in the world of audio through his JISCO Jitter Scrambling Decorrelator.
So, what is this Lacquer? Well, it is designed to be applied to plastic encapsulated semi conductors like DAC's , OP amps, discrete transistors, power transistors, and voltage regulators. And, why would we want to do this? Quote "After application of the Tube-o-Lator Lacquer the components will have a tube like sonic character, best described as warm, full, natural and emotional sound."
I chose my MSB Link DAC III with upsampling to give the lacquer a try. I first warmed up the system and listened to a group of well known works. The Link was removed from the system and the lid unscrewed. Each I.C., transistor, voltage regulator, and op amps were given a coat. The lacquer comes in a small vial with a plastic screw lid. It is a charcoal color liquid of thin consistancy. Application is done with a half Q-Tip which was provided. Each component coated was complete coated on their plastic bodys.
The Link was quickly reinstalled in the system and I sat down hoping to be able to define and changes to the sound. What I heard floored me. The sound was very midbass oriented. It was much like disconnecting the tweeter from the loudspeakers. My first thought was something had gone wrong on the reinstall. All cords were checked and found to be fine. I then thought I had caused and internal problem with the DAC during the process. I left the system playing and after several hours returned and noted an improvement in the sound. After approximately twenty hours the system now sound excellent.
I guess the big question is did it make a sonic improvement? I am unable to say yes or no due to the long break in period and the panic I had when I first listened to the coated system. What I can say for sure is that it made a dramatic difference in the sound when first applied. I have no idea why a thin lacquer would yield such a change.
I also need to point out that my system is tube based and this might hamper telling if the sound became more tube-like. In an effort to better serve this product, if a member of the asylum with a solid state system would like to try the remaining Lacquer and write a follow up review, I will be glad to mail the lacquer to them.
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Topic - REVIEW: Altmann Micro Machines Tube-o-Lator Lacquer Accessory Review by Mike B. at Audio Asylum - Mike B. 15:05:02 02/07/01 (19)
- AB comparisons of this stuff tests are taking far to long for me - 50 hours per switch!! - Dave VH 13:04:29 02/08/01 (0)
- Brave folk indeed - Rodney Gold 08:41:16 02/08/01 (4)
- Re: Brave folk indeed [Me brave?] - Jeff Starr 11:52:59 02/08/01 (0)
- Re: Brave folk indeed - Richard 10:11:27 02/08/01 (2)
- PT Barnum , or one is born every minute - Rodney Gold 10:45:08 02/08/01 (1)
- Too Bad,,, I enjoyed reading your posts until now. - Richard 11:24:21 02/08/01 (0)
- My Denon Dac sounds fine,,, - Richard 02:13:26 02/08/01 (0)
- Altmann Micro Machines Tube-o-Lator Lacquer Accessory - Bob Wilcox 21:27:41 02/07/01 (2)
- Altmann Micro Machines Tube-o-Lator Lacquer Accessory - Jeff Starr 20:34:29 02/07/01 (1)
- Re: Altmann Micro Machines Tube-o-Lator Lacquer Accessory - Richard 02:48:51 02/08/01 (0)
- Altmann Micro Machines Tube-o-Lator Lacquer Accessory - Dan W 15:53:51 02/07/01 (6)
- Re: Altmann Micro Machines Tube-o-Lator Lacquer Accessory - Robin Cook 17:11:30 02/07/01 (0)
- Re: Altmann Micro Machines Tube-o-Lator Lacquer Accessory - Mike B. 15:56:41 02/07/01 (4)
- That is crazy - Rodney Gold 06:46:21 02/08/01 (2)
- Rodney, stop trying to be rational - this is an Asylum, you know!! - Dave VH 13:35:38 02/08/01 (1)
- Re: Rodney, stop trying to be rational - this is an Asylum, you know!! - JeffC 20:12:48 02/08/01 (0)
- Re: Altmann Micro Machines Tube-o-Lator Lacquer Accessory - Dan W 02:19:18 02/08/01 (0)