[UnderTow]

Originally Posted by dcollins

Does beveling the edge of a CD or de-gaussing make the determination of polarity any easier?


DC

If not maybe replacing the stock power cord on the equipment with a $500 power cord might help.

If anyone is wondering what DC is getting at, here are a few quotes from Mr Johnsen:

A few quotes:
"a new $3000 Audio Research preamp sounds rather poor until it’s hooked up with a $500 ESP power cord, and then it sounds great "

"This writer [Clark Johnsen] has reported on such treatments since 1992, when in Stereophile he revealed that waving a tape degausser over CDs could greatly reduce their unpleasant edginess."

"Often have I [Clark Johnsen] argued, that such tweaks belie the presumed expertise of our digital designers, besides illustrating that the current 16/44 system possibly may not require replacement, since we know neither what we already have, nor how it actually works."

"it [Audio Desk Systeme] consists of a tightly belt-driven 4-inch turntable on which the CD is firmly clamped, then a sharp cutting tool applied by hand through a pivoted horizontal lever. The result: A perfectly true disc with a 30° beveled edge on which an ink film may be applied. Then when you listen, Omigod!"

"Afterwards [after using the dio Desk Systeme] the music sounds more natural, more expressive, fuller, less edgy; and the musicians seem to be breathing easier. This applies not only to CDs, but to DVDs too, with clearer video!"

"Approximately the same time as the news broke about CD "degaussing", the Bedinis introduced a hand-held battery-driven unit that replicated the phenomenon. Only, the effect lasted for only a few minutes and John claimed it wasn’t just about magnets anyway.

Something to do with... other radiation...

Subsequent versions improved on the initial concept and today the Bedini Dual-Beam Ultraclarifier presents an excellent remedy for the sonic ills of CD"

"Benjamin Tape Eraser ($36), the original handheld device for cassettes and damn effective on CDs. Yes we know there is nothing ferric in a CD, thanks for pointing that out.

Just try it, or the lesser but still serviceable Shack model. After waving the thing for 10 or 15 seconds closely over the disc, you will hear much less harshness and more articulate bass."

"Optrix ($18), a polish for the business side of a disc, dramatically increases low-level resolution. With old analogue originals the hiss level rises, always a good sign. Products such as Esoteric Mist and TM-16 and others do the trick too."

"Not to forget previous reports that digital gear can be greatly improved by ... specialty power cords. No minor matter, this, either."

"While all the above serve to ameliorate the clattery, punishing aspect of CD audio, no one — credentialed academic, famous designer, prominent reviewer, experienced retailer nor myself — can say why. No one has the faintest notion."

Continue discussing at your own peril.

Alistair