I have learned some valuable lessons about quality since I started working here at Upstairs Audio & Video on August 30th of 2016. I had a very skeptical outlook on any claim made by any manufacturer of any product. But I have discovered that some claims are not just hype. We have at least three products in our store that definitely live up to their promises.
1. Caig DeoxIT
Caig says DeoxIT® D-Series contact cleaner is a fast-acting deoxidizing solution that cleans, protects, lubricates, and improves conductivity on all metal connectors and contacts. That’s a pretty big claim. But then they go on to say that it:
- Improves Conductivity
- Deoxidizes, Cleans & Preserves
- Reduces Intermittent Connections
- Reduces Arcing & RFI
- Reduces Wear & Abrasion
- Temperature Range, -34 C (-29 F) to +200 C (400 F)
Using DeoxIT for the simplest fixes has impressed me most. My USB phone cord was not making a good connection on my laptop. Two quick sqirts of DeoxIT on the metal ends of the USB cord and, for over a year now, I have not experienced that problem since. It is one product that really does what it says it will do. I highly recommend it, especially for your audio equipment. When you improve the connections, you improve the sound. This should be an indispensable tool in every audiophile’s bag of tricks. I am proud of Caig for making a product that does what they say it will do.
2. Magnepan Speakers
I’ve heard many speakers since I became a music enthusiast back in the 1970s. Magnepan Speakers make the simple claim that they produce the most realistic sound and give you the sense that “you are there”. This makes Magnepan speakers the closest thing to hearing music live. The great benefit to you, about having Magnepan speakers at our store in Five Points, is that you can come in and experience their quality first hand (for free).
Oh sure, you can hear things in a big-box store too, but big-box stores don’t sell Magnepan speakers. To listen to these speakers is a rare treat. Their sound quality is so high that it’s like a thrill ride just hearing them. If someone tells you they have the greatest speakers in the world and you get the opportunity to be blown away by just how powerful they really are, you should definitely take that opportunity.
I revere Magnepan for the quality they strive for and I implore you to come in and give these speakers a listen. You’ll be thrilled and delighted!
3. Last Factory Record Preservative
Last Factory makes a number of record care and stylus care products and every one does what it says they will do. But the record preservative is the most fascinating because of what it does and how it does it. The record preservative molecularly bonds to the plastic of the vinyl record making it stronger and, at the same time, it fills in tiny cracks and fissures where dust can collect and ruin both the record and the stylus of your turntable.
One single use of this preservative will make your records last 200 times longer than non-treated records. So for under 30¢ per side, that is a tremendous value. If you treasure your record collection, this is the best way to prolong the life of your records and keep them sounding good for decades to come.
To Sum Up:
Whenever I get exposed to things that do what they say they will do, my hope for mankind reigns and I feel good knowing that there really is “truth in (at least some) advertising.” These are three products that I trust, now that I’ve seen them in action. If you’d like to see them in action, come in and visit us at our store in Five Points at 746 Harden Street right here in downtown Columbia, SC. We’re open from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. You’ll feel right at home. If you have any questions, you can reach us at 803-256-3277.