HARMONIX TU-800MM “ Tribue” Million Maestro LP Tuning MatteNaturally Reveal the Elegant TextureFor those experienced audiophiles should havebought some accessories for their own Hi-Fi system,for example, spikes, platforms, sand tuning pieces,CD Mat…..etc. Most of the reason was to improve thesound performance of their audio equipment byeliminating the resonance; to reduce the vibrationfrom inside or outside of their equipment, so as toobtain the “true sound” from their equipmentwithout any coloration. This is, to hope that thetuning devices would restore the sound system of itsown “beautiful sound quality”. On the other hand, tomake good use of the tuning devices would beautifythe “beauty of make up”. However, all tuningdevices are either “absolutely” or “relatively”effective. The “absolutely” tuning devices can restorethe excellence and shortcomings of the audio systemdetails; the “relatively” tuning devices can be a magictool in the sound tuning. However, according to myexperience, those “absolutely” tuning devices arerarely available in the market, just like the phoenixfeature or the unicorn horn. In fact, many of themare even counter-productive. My requirement of the“absolutely” tuning devices should basically masterat least these two elements - “not to change thefrequency response” and “not to change the musiccharacter”. Lately, the analog record music getrecovery, and has become unavoidable musicenjoyment tool in the audio market, and along withfact, there are many different record mats availablefor the vinyl nowadays; with different materials orthickness, in the price range of hundreds of dollarsto thousands of dollars. Today, the vinyl tuningdevice I am listening to, and its price would be one ofthe most expensive type, at the list price ofHK$10,000.-!
It is product designed by the famous Japanese tuningmaster – Mr. Kiuchi. Thus, there is no objection forthe price.

Hand made “Magic Mat”The Harmonix tuning devices created by Mr. Kiuchihas long been recognized by the world. Its productsstaring from the tuning feet, AC power line stabilizer,audio cables, CD Player, Preamp & Power amp asThe Heavy Duty Kit on my turntable is made ofgraphite. Therefore, I can try this “magic mat”without any problem. Also, due to the thickness ofthis “magic mat” is 0.5mm, I need to adjust the VTAof the tonearm by 0.5mm as well.

well as loudspeakers, and all of them are the greatproducts. (You may check it out from its website:www.combak.net for details). Several years ago, Idid buy its ALS-777 AC Line Stabilizer for my ownrecording use, and I am still very satisfied with itsperformance.
Today, this TU-800MM LP record tuning matte is thenew product from Mr. Kiuchi, and every single pieceis made by hand. When I am holding it with hand, myfirst impression was its pretty light weighed, andfeel like a piece of paper (just feel a bit rough whenyou touch it). The manufacturer did not disclose itsworking principle and what material it is made of.
On its surface, it is just like the clock to be dividedaveragely into twelve cells, which in the clockwisedirection of its 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 o’clock position toplace a silver metal device in the length of 8cm andwidth of 1cm. Then on its 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 o’clockposition to place 3 silver metal dots of circle in thediameter of 1cm. Its back is just a completely black“paper”. Its thickness is only 0.5mm and its weight isjust 47g. The LP vinyl will only be in contact withthese silver metal strips and dots.

Things to Pay AttentionMy listening system is as follows: the BritishNottingham Analogue Space 294 plus the HeavyDuty Kit, Nottingham Anna 12” Toneone, JapaneseAccuphase AC-5 MC cartridge, American RogueAudio HERA Reference vacuum tube preamp,Chinese made LM503PA 845 vacuum tube poweramplifier (both the 845 and 300B tubes werereplaced with the German Elrog products), CanadianVerity Parsifal Ovation loudspeakers, and theAmerican Zu Audio interconnect cables, powercordsand speaker cables.
Before you use it, please pay attention to themanufacturer’s advice : none of the other mats madeof the absorbing materials i.e. plastic, vinyl orleather etc. should be placed underneath this “ magicmat”. Otherwise, its sound effect will be greatlyreduced!

Absolutely “Shocking”

As I have two different LP clamps: the Stillpoint andthe first generation of the Harmonix “magic claw”.
Therefore, I can do my review in detail. Firstly, Itried to use the “magic mat” with the Stillpoint clamp.

I actually think my own system sound pretty balanceand pleasant, and if there is any changes made to itwould easily be noticeable. When the music wasplayed with this “magic mat”, I immediatelydiscovered that the imaging was a lot sharper thanbefore. The original very slight silhouette of theshadow disappeared, and the most importantchange was more pure sound with no peaking. Itsounded so natural without any artificial details.
Repeated listening with a number of familiar LPs, mycarefully assessed the overall impression is asfollows:1. Very balance in full range and no specificfrequency band to be too outstanding.
2. The mid-high frequency is a lot moredynamic, high frequency, ultra highfrequency extension is clear and elegant;midrange is natural and a lifelike, eithervocals or musical instruments are both clearand delineated, and the mid low frequency isnot bloomy or fuzzy. The bass drum, bassviolin, cello & bass are in a better sense ofreality. Low frequency volume is enough andretractable freely, and the deep lowfrequency response sounds open andfreedom.
3. Transient is fast and accurate, thesoundstage is wide and dimensional, and theimaging and level of depth is a lot deeper andclearer.
4. Sound quality is realistic with more density,and also neutral with no coloration.

All of the above features are positive, and are in linewith my aforementioned “absolutely” tuning devicesrequirements. In order to avoid any illusion of mind,I have done many times of A/B comparison, to takeoff the “magic mat” and put back the “magic mat”.
The result retain the same as mentioned above.
To use the Stillpoint with the “magic mat”, it was justlike looking at the view through a crystal glasswindow before, and now to open the window toenjoy the view!
I originally thought that the above result has alreadydiscovered all the advantages of the “magic mat”.
However, when I read the note from themanufacturer that “Recommend use in couple withour HARMONIX TU-812MX Million Maestro recordclamp for even better playback sound reproduction.” Ioriginally thought that it might just be the officialterminology as a type of promotion technique.
Anyway, I got my second-hand Harmonix “MagicClamp” (the first generation model) at very “goodprice” from a best friend of mine who is also awealthy serious audiophile. Thus, there is no reasonnot to try to use it with the “magic mat” asrecommended by the manufacturer.
The truth is that the “recommendation” by Harmonixwas absolutely not a promotion technique, but itactually gave me a “shocking” sound performance!

In addition to the above mentioned 4 advantages, the dual “magic” analogtuning devices being used together did reproduce by far more elegantsound quality. Listening to the LP of Chie Ayado, the female vocal was soreal and natural; the sound quality was so detailed and smooth. Moreover,the music background was so clean without any noise that gave me a bigsurprise. The Jazz drums issued by the bursts of low-frequency hasexcellent cohesion, even better was a very lively and vivid low frequency;and it was not the kind of dead hard low frequency that made people’sears uncomfortable. I then also listened to the LP of BACH unaccompaniedViolin Sonata being recorded with vacuum tube microphone by Tacet, thedual “magic” analog tuning devices reproduced a very smoothly roundedand full body violin sound, and it did fill up my listening room with theelegant melody from the famous “Stradivari” violin. It is truly enjoyable tokeep listening to it!

ConclusionThe best advantage of the TU800M“Tribute”MillionMaestro analog record tuningmatte is that it offers a lot moredetail and better sound qualitywithout changing the balanceof your turntable system, to letthe music sound more naturaland lively and it can makepeople easily melting into thelovely melody. Although theselling price of it may not beeasily affordable by all the LPfans, it is absolutely qualified tobe the “absolutely” tuningdevice which should be thebest choice of the picky vinylaudiophiles. If you havealready got the Harmonix“Magic Claw”, you must get onepiece of this!

PostscriptAfter I have experienced inlistening to the dual “magic”analog tuning devices foralmost a month, although I amnot a wealthy audiophile, I amtruly surrendered to his magictuning technique. Thus, I haveclenchedmyteethtoobediently offer my money tobuy this “magic mat” for myown listening enjoyment.