CD Tweeks or snakeoil ?

[beardog03]

anybody ever try any of these ?
Do they work, or is it just snakeoil ?

http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/cdtreatments_hub.php


whaadaya think ?!!

[concealer404]

Can we have a poll? :p

HELL NO.

[bigaudiofanatic]

I am going to predict how this thread will turn out. You are going to have two sides. One saying that it works great and that you will hear the difference "like speaker wire". The other side will say that it is just a waste of money. I am going to say that it is a waste.

[mmadden28]

Well, at least they're not charging an arm and a leg for them so it wouldn't break the bank to try it. However, without having tried it myself I'm highly skeptical. Its not like you can go back to a non-treated disc to compare unless you have two copies.

On the one option regarding static, I'm not quite sure how static can impact a laser reading the disc but, I can say this, one of the requirements on a government contract I work on, requires that all deliverable CDs and DVDs be packaged in antistatic and anti EMF protective bags. I still have no idea why but somebody made that decision for some reason. My only guess is that it has something to do with the environment or computer where they are used rather than the ability to read the data on them.

[beardog03]

that would make sense...kinda

as far as a zap gun, idunno !

The first two items kinda make sense.....or it will just smear the laser light

[beardog03]

anybody else ?

anybody have a favorite tweek ?

[treitz3]

The Deoxit Gold I use all the time with excellent results along with regular Deoxit. The other stuff I have never used so I couldn't tell you.

As for a tweak? Try the Sumiko setup linked below.....

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71762&highlight=sumiko+setup

[wushuliu]

Herbie's CD Mats (http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/cdmat.htm) are very good. And very cheap. Nothing subtle about them.

[dorokusai]

I like all CAIG products. The rest are a waste of money.

[Ern Dog]

Tube dampers are a cheap tweak that clean things up a bit. Today I added a second red ring on each of my tubes in my Modwright preamp.

[dorokusai]

Did you mean just the contact cleaners or everything on the tweaks page Robert? If that's the case, yea, Herbie's is great stuff but you already know that right?

[Gaara]

anybody ever try any of these ?
Do they work, or is it just snakeoil ?

http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/cdtreatments_hub.php


whaadaya think ?!!

I've used em all, still have CDs with black markers on them that were treated with both the Mapleshade CD treatments and then ionoclasted before playing. I believe I heard a difference, more then I ever heard changing wires, but I never could tell if it was just placebo or not. I stopped using all CD tweaks.

On the plus side though the cd treatments do a great job on scratches, I had some cds with issues and these did the job. Micro-Smooth for the heavier scratches, optrix for lighter or fingerprints/dirt.

[mantis]

Snake oil Bro. There are things in the audio world that bored Audiophiles sit around and try to create to keep it interesting. My boss is an old Audiophile and has seen so many things like this. Hell we have some of them around the store. He has tried most of the crap out there.

[louhamilton]

I use both the Optrix and Mikro Smooth. I have successfully brought two discs back to life with the products. I also borrow a bunch of CD's from the library and they do a great job cleaning them and fixing some of the noted "scratches" on the discs.

I'm a believer and do not feel it is snakeoil. I tried it specifically to try to bring back to life my hard to find Rolling Stones: Forty Licks CD. It worked!!!!

[zingo]

I use both the Optrix and Mikro Smooth. I have successfully brought two discs back to life with the products. I also borrow a bunch of CD's from the library and they do a great job cleaning them and fixing some of the noted "scratches" on the discs.

I'm a believer and do not feel it is snakeoil. I tried it specifically to try to bring back to life my hard to find Rolling Stones: Forty Licks CD. It worked!!!!

Trying to bring CDs back to life or fix scratches and trying to make a NIB CD sound better are two totally different things. Using their products to fix CD is a great use of money. Trying to make a good CD better...

[hearingimpared]

I love Mapleshade products but I have tried the ones you have listed except for DeOxit.

[kawizx9r]

+1 for Deoxit

[Knucklehead]

Yep Deoxit is the sh!t. use it everyday at work.

[BlueFox]

anybody ever try any of these ?
Do they work, or is it just snakeoil ?


Everything I have bought from Mapleshade (cables, speaker platforms, brass vibration footers, and CD cleaners) has worked as advertised. In regard to the above, I have the Mikro-Smooth, Optrix, and SilClear. I cannot swear that using it made my CDs sound better, but I can swear that the video from DVDs was clearer, and sharper. Now, I treat all new CDs and DVDs before I even play them the first time.

With that said, I am a little upset at their response so far to an issue I have with one of their cables. I sent them emails yesterday and today regarding getting a broken calbe fixed, and I have yet to get a response. Tomorrow I will call if I have not heard anything from them.

[mmadden28]

I been using Meguiar's Scratch-X (http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G10307-Scratch-X-2-0/dp/B0002UNON8/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1260920217&sr=1-13) with great success on my scratched up CD's.

[Keiko]

I like all CAIG products. The rest are a waste of money.


I been using Meguiar's Scratch-X (http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G10307-Scratch-X-2-0/dp/B0002UNON8/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1260920217&sr=1-13) with great success on my scratched up CD's.

+1 on both of these. Scratch-X works well on DVD's also.

[steveinaz]

I have used Mapleshades brass footers and high hats--they definitely work on a CD player.

[Cogito]

anybody ever try any of these ?
Do they work, or is it just snakeoil ?

http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/cdtreatments_hub.php


whaadaya think ?!!

It's NOT "snake oil". It's THEFT!

Now where did I put my green Sharpie???

[hearingimpared]

It's NOT "snake oil". It's THEFT!

Now where did I put my green Sharpie???

I'm sure you are speaking from experience,:rolleyes: