BLACK WIZARD MAGIC PLATE MP-05 FROM TOMBO AUDIO PRODUCTS
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Vattana and his Tombo Audio Products
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(Mr.) Vattana Prasertnasung, a proud Thai himself, has been on the audio journey for forty (40) years now, and could be considered an audiophile whom have seen and heard much. In those decades, he learnt of the detrimental effect of vibrations, whether be it generated internally in the audio component and/or from external-borne, against the ultimate sound quality.
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Since then, being mechanically minded and handy at materials, he has been devising and materializing designs of audio accessories to eliminate those vibrations. With some audible and commercial successes under his belt, he was encouraged to start shop with the registration of Tombo Audio Products in 2004, and submitted some of his vibration elimination accessories designs for patents in Thailand.
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I remembered inviting him and other prominent veterans audiophile from Thailand to the only Evening Analogue & Digital Fellowship 2013 dinner, where they shared some insights into our beloved hobby. Following that event, Vattana did some in-house demonstrations of his inventions/ accessories at a number of venues…he was like a “Hobbit” from “Lord of the Ring”, on a mission and working at certain targeted points of the respective audio set-up to eliminate as much vibration as he possible could with what were at hand then…to cut the story short, we were convinced! Therefore, still convinced I am, all of his products I bought then are still very much part of my current audio set-up!
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After obtaining some patents for his designs, Vattana confidently manufactured even more of his designs/audio accessories, and opened up a Tombo Audio Products Boutique/ Showroom in Thailand at 2014.
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The Black Wizard series, Magic Plate MP-05
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This is the first time that Tombo Audio Products send in their product to analoguefellowship.com for review. Here, is their latest product, the conical shaped MP-05 plate (/shoe) at the retail price of US$250/- for a set of four (4), that comprise of multiple pieces of plates of different metal alloy that sandwich together tightly a number of metal alloy balls within their dedicated cups. The whole construction of the MP-05 is very tight thus there is no movement/ dynamism(?).
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However, I noticed there is a through hole within the center cup intended for the spike of the audio component to sit into. I suspected that it is intended for better coupling and grip onto the surface, and breakage of unwanted vibration. The conical shape of the MP-05 and the metal alloy balls sandwiched within supposedly able to distribute and dissipate better all the weight/force and vibration generated from the audio component, and at the same time, prevent or at least dissipate as much as possible the surface/external vibration to ever reach up to the same component (my science at work).
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Vattana recommended that the maximum load for each MP-05 is 15Kg, therefore four (4) pieces can take up the combined maximum load of 60Kg. He shared that they require around 6 hours under a component’s weight to settle in and “activation” of their attributes. Next, they require the maximum of four (4) days to “smooth out the harmonics and dynamics“. Although I did not count the time/day needed for them to sound improved…but, I was sure they took some days to sound better than improved! I suspected that the MP-05s required some time to fully air-tight couple to the surface they were sat.
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Under the Technics SP-10 Direct Drive Turntable
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Having received eight (8) pieces in total of the MP-05 which are meant for my loudspeakers [definitely not for the Gryphon Audio Kodo loudspeakers of four (4) towers]. However, I decided to initiate the review in the following order.
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Firstly, I used three (3) pieces of MP-05 shoes under the Technics SP-10 to couple the turntable with the HRS platform…all were metal to metal contact. The immediate audible effect was a quieter and darker background, as in Mighty Sam McClain & Knut Reiersrud “Tears Of The World” (ACT 9033-1). That contributed to Sam‘s voice being all there; raw, energetic, focus and concentrate…there was a sensation of nothing was loss in that playback. That same sensation of being all there was at the presentation of the instruments…and that I found the mid to lower bass from the drum to be dynamic, punchy and yet, control at the track, “I Wish I had A Girl Like You (Willie Hale)“.
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Secondly, I added another spike together with another MP-05 shoe at the turntable. I played Zhao Cong “Sound of China/ Dance in the Moon [Pipa album] (Fung Hang Record Ltd/ Modern Records MCD 3101 LP), there was an added immediacy and energy at the mid range to the mid high range. The instruments, like the (Ms.) Zhao Cong‘s pipa and Kasper Villiaume‘s piano at “Song of Horse Herding“, sounded more life-like and pronounced. The whole presentation, within a quiet and dark soundstage, was more exciting and engaging.
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Under the BSG Technologies Signal Completion Stage
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Thirdly, I used the remaining set of four (4) MP-05 shoes for the four (4) spikes at the Tombo Audio Exit Passive Power Supply Conditioner-01 Platform. On top of that Exit PPSC-01 Platform was the BSG Technologies Signal Completion Stage which acted as a central unit that was connected to the Gryphon Audio Kodo Active Bass Towers and the Vitus Audio Masterpiece Mono Amplifiers MP-M201. I figured that the use of the shoes there would benefit the entire audio set up.
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I played the vinyl album of A’ Mei: Truth (Warner Music Taiwan 5054196909970/ 180g Clear Vinyl Record Made in Japan), where I discovered there were added focus, clarity, delineation and definition at A’ Mei‘s voice, the center image, even within a heavy dance tune, with plenty of mid punchy bass.
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Next I played my favorite test track/record, ‘Hawaii 5-0’ from the vinyl album Kojak & Baretta (RCA JRS-9522), where I could easily attest that the addition of the MP-05 shoes did enhance the above mentioned attributes and improved the spacing and separation of images/musicians within a dark and quiet soundstage. That in turn contributed to the articulation at the lower notes/frequencies, and also improved the bass transients and directions.
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I have yet to set the MP-05 under the speaker stands of my mini monitors since I am satisfied with the above mentioned results…
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Under the XAV EXPRESSO Mini Monitor
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My most recent reviewed item from Thailand was the mini monitor from XAV, the EXPRESSO. That pair of mini monitors impressed upon me their honesty, neutrality, transparency and expansiveness in sound staging. I decided to try the MP-05 on the XAV EXPRESSO by placing them under the spikes of their speaker stands. My immediate test CD was the Eva Klesse Quartett “Obenland” (ENJ-9643), where I discovered their expansive soundstage to be more stable in height, width and depth. That stability contributed to a much darker and much quieter background. At the third track,”Descent and Resurface“, it was obvious to me that Robert Lucaciu‘s bass strings were clearer, Philip Frischkorn‘s piano keys were more distinct, Evgeny Ring‘s sax was more stand-out and the lower bass from Eva Klesse‘s drums were tighter and more delineated.
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Finally, I played the CD album of (Ms.) Pacharamon Naphasthanakiet, “Oopiib Sings Impression 2” (Impression Sound Studio), which was recorded at the orchestra hall of Studio 28, Bangkok. The addition of the MP-05 to the XAV EXPRESSO improved the distinctiveness of each instrument in that almost orchestra ensemble, and impressively brought out a shine at the vocalist’s expression. Therefore, I could easily catch her emotions, and appreciate her effective artistry in placing them at the appropriate word(s) in the lyrics.
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AGAIN I AM CONVINCED!
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I was convinced then in 2013 and I am convinced now in 2020 of the efficacy of Tombo Audio Products, especially The Black Wizard MP-05 shoes that have worked efficaciously to improve the sound quality at the above mentioned audio components, with the presentation of a quieter and darker soundstage, better imaging, focus, dynamic, transient of energy, and lower bass…
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…back to work with the MP-05!
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