Tweakers' Asylum: REVIEW: Bastani Magic Twins Accessory by cc998hi@yahoo.com

Model:	Magic Twins
Category:	Accessory
Suggested Retail Price:	$95
Description:	RF Filtering Network
Manufacturer URL:	Bastani
Manufacturer URL:	Bastani

Review by cc998hi@yahoo.com on October 27, 2004 at 09:47:52
IP Address: 24.25.231.246

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Product Descriptions:

The 'Magic Twins' is a small added-on device designed to filter out the undesired RF in the signal path behore it reaches the next component down the chain. Made in Germany by Robert Bastani of the 'Prometheus' fame, the 'Magic Twins' comes in 2 versions, one for interconnects and the other for speaker cables. They both retail for $95 each and can be purchased from Bastani Audio (Germany), Bauls Audio (US) or DIY HiFi (HK). Refer to Bastani DIY Forum in Audio Asylum for more information.

The IC 'Magic Twins' is built into a nifty RCA 'Y' adaptor and can be plugged into the RCA input jack of the component before hooking up the incoming IC. This makes it easy to install and uninstall the device in the signal path. A 'naked' verison of the IC 'Magic Twins' is also available via special order from Bastani Audio and it is meant to be hardwired into the component or IC. It looks like a small electrolylic capactor. This product review is of the naked version.

The speaker 'Magic Twins' is built into a small metal barrel of about 1/2" dia. and 1" long with leads at the 2 ends. It is to be installed across the positive and negative leads of the speaker terminal. Again, it is easy to install and uninstall the device using a stacked banana plug.

Sonic Impressions:

I have not conducted any systematic or blind listening tests and my sonic impressions were merely my personal experience in the last 2 months living with the 'Magic Twins'. I use both analogue and digital sources, SET amplification and single driver speakers. ICs and speaker cables are all DIY solid core silver wires.

With the 'Magic Twins' installed in the pre-amp CD and power-amp input jacks, the reproduced music was much more cleaner and clearer and yet not overly bright or edgy. The slight metallic and sometimes harsh sound of the digital domain were almost disappeared. The sound stage and imaging were better defined with a darker background. There were more air and space between voices and instruments. Highs were more sweet and lows more powerful. To sum it up, the sonic presentation was more natural and less artifical. The glare was greatly reduced and it was one step more close to the music.

The effects of the speaker 'Magic Twins' were very similar to those of the IC. Robert said that the IC 'MTs' should work for moving coils but I have not had enough time to toy with my analogue front-end to confirm this. However, I tried one with my RG-6 cable that connected the incoming cable signal to my Sony WEGA TV and the result was outstanding. At a glance, it seemed like there was a slight loss in contrast and brightness but prolonged viewing revealed a lot more shades of color even in white and black that was simply not there before. The picture was more clearer, more stable and natural.

The effects of the 'MTs' were clearly audible even when they were new. However, they continue to improve over a period of 30 to 40 hours of breaking-in time. Also caution must be taken not to overdose with the 'MTs' as too much can lead to top-end roll-off or over-damping.

The 'MTs' are not cheap but more than the asking price IMHO. Used properly, the result is like the lifting a layer of fog in the audio and video window and one can hear or see a clearer and cleaner presentation and with no apparent drawbacks. I found myself not willing to part with the 'MTs' once installed into my system.

Product Weakness: Overdose may induce top-end roll-off
Product Strengths: Very effective in what it is supposed to do

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Almarro 318A
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Bottlehead Foreplay
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Micro TT/ET-2/Kiseiki
Speakers:	Quad ESL
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY solid core silver
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	classical, jazz, vocal
Room Comments/Treatments:	hard sounding room with some treatment
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Overdose may induce top-end roll-off
Product Strengths:	Very effective in what it is supposed to do