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Auric Illuminator, Optrix, others

Recently bought duplicate CDs to try some CD enhancers which have been getting some outragious reviews of significant improvement in sound by improving data read off CD surface. After carefull comparison I must say I prefer untreated CD. The sound is slightly altered with treatments, usually sounding "smoother" however this was accomplished by obscuring fine musical detail, especially treble detail. I want more detail and nuance, not less. I do not have $20,000 plus systems most reviewers have, but my $7,000 system based on Musical Fidelity X-Ray is fully capable of detailed presention. Also magazines perpetuate the notion that there are many CD tweaks (CD mats, blackout pens, surface sprays etc) that you must have to improve sound.....has anyone else done careful comparison with duplicate CDs to study effects of various treatments?
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megasam OP
798 posts
 
Red, all good points you make. My collection of CD enhancers is not a total loss though. I will use "auric illuminator" on any CDs I have which have a very bright recording (usually a rock/alternative recording ) and here the "smoothing" effect is beneficial and makes recording closer to nuetral and more enjoyable to listen to. Most Cds I have are not bright, and these will get no treatment because I want maximum detail retrival. BTW I got Blacklight disc few years ago and noticed no benefit to sound.
redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
Yes Megasam. I think that getting a revealing system and then using the CD tweak to make it less revealing (or smoother, or warmer) when the source demands is probably the ideal way to go.
rosstaman
455 posts
 
When I upgraded my system, over half my cd's sounded terrible (especially rock, etc). The system was so detailed that it wasn't forgiving of poorly recorded cd's. I thought I'd never listen to over half my cd collection. I tried the Auric Illuminator, because if you didn't like the results you can wash it off, and it only cost $39. It worked fairly well. In matter of fact, the treated cd's sounded great in my car's cd player. The Auric Illuminator isn't the perfect solution, but for the price it brought back most of my poorly recorded cd's to a listenable level.
jharrell
6 posts
 
Tried both Auric and Optrix. Optrix provides more detail from untreated CD with no "highlighting" of any frequencies that I can detect, while Auric appears (in my system) to obscure some detail from midrange through treble. I use only Optrix, now. John
mikela
23 posts
 
i use compact disc magic.it's not really an enhancer,but true no residue cleaner.i find after cleaning more detail,better ambient background,truer bass definition-never loose information- always seem to hear more of every frequency.only 16.00 a bottle-cable company.
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