5 out of 5 stars in HiFi.NL for Vortex HiFi Nano Diamond Oil and Surface Optimizer

5 out of 5 stars in HiFi.NL for Vortex HiFi Nano Diamond Oil and Surface Optimizer

The Dutch journalist John van Polen has tested a second and third Vortex HiFi product on HiFi.NL. The result: 5 out of 5 stars - that is the absolute maximum rating! His conclusion:

Conclusion
The Nano Diamond Contact Oil Sigma and the Surface Optimizer from Vortex Hifi are unique products that can significantly improve the perception of playback of serious audio and video systems. Before using the Surface Optimizer, many people first have to cross an inhibition threshold, but are amply rewarded for this. I recommend both liquids without reservation.

Read a professional translation by a legalist in German or the original here, see link.


Original test HiFi.NL Review: Nano Diamond Contact Oil Sigma and Surface Optimizer Anti Static Fluid from Vortex Hifi

John van Poland | 17 February 2021 | Photography John van Poland | Vortex hifi

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG

These liquids from Vortex Hifi are original products that can make a significant contribution to a better perception of image and sound. The relationship between price and effect is also very favorable.

BENEFITS

  • Simple application
  • Clear instructions on paper and online
  • Effects range from 'audible' to 'spectacular'
  • In relation to the effects, an extremely favorable price

DISADVANTAGE

  • Surface Optimizer assumes the willingness to apply liquid to the audio components

 

I particularly enjoyed the first encounter with the German accessory brand Vortex Hifi. I use the 'magic stick' Iraser AOI almost every day with my big turntable. A few months ago, dealer Ron Kemp from Kemp Elektroniks made me aware of two new products from Vortex Hifi that he was very enthusiastic about. I should try it too!
There were two liquids in question: oil for treating electrical contacts and some sort of stuff to remove static electricity from surfaces. Surfaces? Which surfaces? Of course, the surfaces of your speakers and devices. At first I didn't want to like it that much. I'm not going to smear my treasures with some indefinable stuff, I'm not stupid !? Kemp replied that the stuff can be installed safely and barely visible and that it has nice effects on the playback that I clearly don't want to miss ... Well, come on then. With the agreement of the Daluso sales department, he had already brought it to the post office. The doorbell rang: the package was already there.

Nano Diamond Contact Oil Sigma from Vortex Hifi

What are we talking about To start with, the contact oil. This is called by its full name: Nano Diamond Contact Oil Sigma. It is in a tiny bottle of only 2 ml. The scope of delivery includes a brush with which the oil can be applied very economically and precisely. The contents of the ridiculously small container will last a remarkably long time. Means to clean and maintain electrical contacts have of course been around for a long time.
What is special about Nano Oil is the application of the unique technology from Vortex Hifi, with diamond particles filling up all the minimal spaces between the contact surfaces at the nano level. This leads to lower contact resistances and lower emissions of interfering electromagnetic radiation. This is only part of the explanation. For more detailed considerations, I refer to the links at the bottom of this page. In this post I prefer to focus on the sonic effects.

Effects of the Nano Diamond Contact Oil

My little stereo was the first to go. The effects of the contact oil were audible here as a slightly more natural, less sharp sound. The effect on the fuse box in the broom closet was much greater. There I created a direct connection to my main system, with a cable that can be interrupted by means of an internally routed plug. After I treated the contacts of this plug, I heard directly that the main system - at a great distance from the broom cupboard - had made a step forward in every respect. Mild, quieter, more natural ... miraculous!
Ed Doggen from the sales company Daluso advised me to also treat the contacts of lights and so on with the oil. Behind the listening position in the living room there are power strips for room lighting and many SR and QA plugs from Kemp Elektroniks. Dealing with all of these contacts was still real work. While doing this, I listened to an LP with music by Vivaldi. When I was almost finished I suddenly heard a harpsichord splashing along in the distance. I had never heard this before. Could that come through the oil ...? I immediately dismissed these thoughts.
In the evening I watched the Atalanta-Ajax game. To my astonishment I saw a television picture with an enormous amount of color contrast. The picture seemed to me to have gained in sharpness. Did Ziggo improve the signal quality? It seems plausible to me that this was the result of treating all contacts in the afternoon. Improvements were also noticeable in the 'large' stereo system, as mentioned earlier. For me it is already clear that the nano-oil works excellently. But I can't prove it. I find it difficult to 'de-treat' all contacts again ...

Surface Optimizer Anti Static Fluid from Vortex Hifi

High time to deal with the Surface Optimizer Anti Static Fluid. This is delivered in a 50 ml spray bottle. The idea is to spray the milky liquid onto the surface to be treated and then wipe it off, leaving a very thin layer. The JMLab (Focal) Electra 906 loudspeaker in the study is first upset. First of all, spray something on a side part that is not in the immediate field of vision - you never know ... By the way, it is a beeswax-based stuff. In fact: after wiping it off, you can only see a wafer-thin layer with some effort that brings a little more shine and is otherwise completely inconspicuous. So not a single problem.
The optimizer can be applied to almost any material without the risk of damage, discoloration or the like. So also on metal and plastic. Ed Doggen from sales reports that it is not intended to polish the surfaces afterwards. The Surface Optimizer is also based on nano-diamond particles that would be wiped off again. He also advises always using the same cloth for distributing and removing. Then you can rub the label of LPs with the cloth you just used.

I didn't really need to look for auditory effects with the focals. My notes report a more defined, finer and more detached sound and a larger stage. The latter is especially important to me because I hate miniaturized sound. The relatively small focals sound a few sizes larger than they look anyway, and this is another nice step forward. On closer inspection, this optimiser is something that can be done with a lot, with remarkable effects. Once again, Ron Kemp didn't promise too much.
Of course, you shouldn't let go of the optimizer like a solid post on a device with ventilation slots. In this case it is better to remove the hood from the device and treat it separately. The true audiophile, of course, does not switch off the device and runs the risk of being electrified. Normal people, on the other hand, first pull out the power plug.
When dust and dirt have accumulated from centuries, it makes sense to clean the sheet metal first. I use isopropanyl alcohol for this, expensive but it doesn't leave any traces.

Effects of the Surface Optimizer on the VPI turntable.

The effect of the optimizer on metal devices was audible but less pronounced than with audio components made of plastic or wood. The VPI Scoutmaster turntable in the large system was a spectacular improvement. I went to work carefully: The turntable was removed and everything was treated, including the underside of the drive base and the platter, plus the top of the Ginko platform which decouples the drive from the audio rack. Even the tonearm and cartridge were not excluded: cotton swabs were useful here. The drive base in matt black lacquer finish got a nice silk gloss after the treatment, actually much more appealing.
The sound result exceeded my expectations by far. Even with the first notes of the LP with Mendelssohn's piano concertos, the increased sonority of the reproduction was noticeable. The low strings came out better; there I heard new things. The piano brought solid sounds into the room where it had previously sounded a bit diffuse and rather thin. One would almost think that wooden hammers hit the metal strings on a piano!
The violins sounded better defined and less sharp; there was less unrest in the higher frequency range anyway. When there was a bang, my mind's eye saw a real instrument instead of the assumption that someone slammed a door. I was fascinated by the whole first concert until the end.
With this record player I use a number of selected record pucks in the price range up to around three hundred euros. However, the effect of the treatment with the Surface Optimizer is much greater than that of a puck. The result of the VPI alone makes the Optimizer an accessory with a rarely good ratio between effect and price.

Conclusion

The Nano Diamond Contact Oil Sigma and the Surface Optimizer from Vortex Hifi are unique products that can significantly improve the perception of playback of serious audio and video systems. Before using the Surface Optimizer, many people first have to cross an inhibition threshold, but are well rewarded for doing so. I recommend both liquids without reservation.

Nano Diamond Contact Oil Sigma
€ 49 - each 2 ml
Rating 5/5

Surface Optimizer Anti Static Fluid
€ 99 - spuitflesje 50 ml

Download (PDF, 2.28MB)

 


Here are a few customer reviews:

To Klangatelier Berlin

Hello, I have already used the Vortex nano contact oil. Wow, now I hear real music.
Thank you, Frans

To Kemp Electronics

A no-brainer review from Henk
Brilliant remedy, I've done everything with it. Audio rack and speakers was the highlight! For me this is the cheapest and cheapest tweak ever! (Posted on 16-01-2021)

First impression (review will follow!) Review by John van Polen
Yesterday I treated my little set with Vortex Surface Optimizer and Contact Oil; the result is remarkable! The sound is much quieter and quieter, you can hear more music. Wonderful. Besides, it doesn't get dull at all; Trumpets etc. just get good natural sharpness ... Today I used Surface Optimizer on the speakers in the small set (including the Shakti Stones above); it works really very well! Indeed, it takes some time to act. More dynamic; more direct; less spicy; more definition. (Posted on 10-09-2020)

Buy + Buy = Enjoy review from AudioTheo
Just as Teun has described in detail, I am also very satisfied with this product: buy, polish and enjoy! (Posted on 29-07-2020)

Very well-functioning product review by Teun van den Oever
Bought a bottle and treated all cables + plugs, all Vortex products, the hood of the distributor inside and outside and the hood of the sound system and the underside of the power strip with it. The result is amazing. Clearly a more holographic sound image. It is also recommended to use it on the CD tray and the label side of the optical discs (don't forget the outer edge and the hole in the middle). Also, don't forget about the speakers and the environment in which the speakers are placed. Really a very good tweak for a very decent price. I can only recommend this product. It's easy to use and all you need is a clean, soft cloth. (Posted on 09-07-2020)

 

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