I'm gonna try one of these...

[steveinaz]

Looks promising:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_3/marigo-labs-signature-3d-mat-7-2005.html

[Emlyn]

Interesting. I understand from the article that it works partly by adding dither to the retrieved signal, but that no current production transport does the same thing. I remember that Rotel used to make an excellent CD player with a limited production Philips transport that had user selectable dither settings of some sort. Maybe the guy is on to something.

[Polkersince85]

It may have some merit by stabilizing the cd and reducing vibration, Also adds weight to the rotating mass possibly slowing the rotaton ever so slightly which may enhance certain artifacts. Who knows, let your ears decide. If it doesn't work it would make a great baloney separator.

[tryrrthg]

I've already got one (kind of) it came with my transport.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/tryrrthg/SST-TopOpen2.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/tryrrthg/SST-TopOpen.jpg

I'm not sure how well it works, but I know that my McCormack transport sounds A LOT better than using my NAD CD player as a transport.

[Toxis]

The company's website offers two versions of this ($199 and $95) but they use the exact same description on both. WTF's the difference???

[steveinaz]

The company's website offers two versions of this ($199 and $95) but they use the exact same description on both. WTF's the difference???

Read the review above, it explains the differences.

[ode]

Read the comments section after the review, they savaged him and said the mat was nothing but snake oil. I'd like to try it with a 30 day free in-home trial

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2928

[ode]

This was buried near the end of the comments section:

It should not be more than about $1.50 to return it for a refund, if you cannot hear any difference. It is very light, and in a very thin plastic sleeve. Marigo contacted me to say that they will offer a 30 day free audition period to anyone who buys the mat. Free shipping too, both ways. Marigo is asking that anyone getting the mat to please post their findings and opinions here in this thread. Should be very interesting. I heard that Audioclowns has posted some very derogatory notes about Jason's review. That figures. The guys at the bottom always try to knock off the guys at the top.


I would bring that up if you decide to order, let us know how it worrks out.

[heiney9]

After spending the better part of the last month or so researching/learning how cd players work. I can honestly say I have no reason to believe something like this would have any impact at all. It's impossible to alter the extraction process by using a thin material over the top of the disc. I simply don't see how this would have any affect in any way shape or form, IMO. But Steve....I say go for it if it makes sense to you, and let us know how it turns out ;)

H9

[RuSsMaN]

I've got one, maybe I should put it in the demo program. For the life of me, I can't tell a difference, with or without, in my cdps/transports.

Matter of fact, I'll email Mark, and get him to start a thread on it. I'll go ahead and add it to the demo program.

Cheers,
Russ

[audiobliss]

I'm reluctant to comment similarly because I hate to risk even the possibility of the aftertaste of crow. I'd like to at least try it, but I'm not about to spend $200. Just got engaged, and I'm not sure I can even afford internet service. Let me type quickly.

The whole issue of static and stray light doesn't seem possible or relevant to a stream of 1 and 0s, but I have to admit that the next time I have my laser equipped pistols out of the gunsafe, I am gonna check on how opaque or light absorptive a DVD really is. Not that a DVD's laser is really comparable is size, focus or power to a tactical laser.

Who wants to hold the DVD for me while I check it?

That guy's funny!

RuSsMaN - Great idea!

[steveinaz]

I've got one, maybe I should put it in the demo program. For the life of me, I can't tell a difference, with or without, in my cdps/transports.

Matter of fact, I'll email Mark, and get him to start a thread on it. I'll go ahead and add it to the demo program.

Cheers,
Russ

Cool!

[audiobliss]

tryrrthg - So that's what a McCormack CDP looks like. Awesome! Never seen one before.

[tryrrthg]

tryrrthg - So that's what a McCormack CDP looks like. Awesome! Never seen one before.
Thanks, I love it. Technically it's not actually a CD player though, it's just a transport, and it's an older model. They don't make a dedicated transport anymore. www.mccormackaudio.com for the new stuff. The current McCormack audio is now owned by Conrad Johnson, just an FYI...

[audiobliss]

Hmm. What makes it a transport instead of a CDP? Does it not have a DAC? Or something else? What's the difference?

[tryrrthg]

Hmm. What makes it a transport instead of a CDP? Does it not have a DAC? Or something else? What's the difference?
Correct, no DAC, it's only purpose is to read the disc and send the digital signal to the outboard DAC.

More info: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_2_4/v2n4i.html

[audiobliss]

Interesting. Thanks!