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CD Player Tweak

After seeing an episode of Steve Gutenberg, and reading a multitude of experiences on the interweb, I’m planning on trying what might be the most common audio tweak in existence: Lining the inside of my CD player with $20 worth of dynamat. Praise for this tweak seems to be almost unanimous. Better sound for only pennies.

The thinking is that the dynamat deadens vibrations and that less vibrations equals better sound. That line has a certain surface appeal, it seems to make sense. But one question is nagging at me and I’m hoping to get an answer before I break out the screwdriver and void my warranty:

If this is such a good idea, so common sense-ical, and so cheap, why didn’t NAD (or whoever) do it first?
paul6001
petg60
1,486 posts
 
I have found out that cd players are mostly affected by better support and less by adding any dampening sheet. But if you want you can try EAR dampening sheet from Parts Connexion.
Top and bottom cover for start and if you go crazy add small pieces of it on top of power supply capacitors. 

theaudiotweak
2,806 posts
 
I use a specific paint I mix with added minerals to control resonance rather than damping sheets or the like which reduce soundstage air and size. Tom
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,996 posts
 
As @petg60 has said, the footers can make a nice difference. The first tweak that got my attention were footers under my CDP. Cost $2. The tweak...Pumice Stone. It's used for pedicures. You can find it in the health & Beauty section of many stores. I was a skeptic about tweaks until then. Now I use my own DIY roller blocks. I can change the sound with the different materials used for the balls. Wood is my choice.
As to why NAD or someone else doesn't do the dynamat, it could be that they don't believe in it. Or the cost factor
chayro
3,050 posts
 
I use a Gutwire Notepad on top of my components.  Damps out vibration without gluing anything inside.  Don't know if they're still made.  
eichlerera's avatar
eichlerera
101 posts
 
paul,

First you have to measure the size of the applied sheet(s).
Then you have to cut them.
Then the serious roller pressure needed to correctly apply them.If you're not working hard with that roller, they are not correctly applied!
Multiple, stacked sheets on each location add to the time.
I spent over $100 on Noico sheets to do my entire system.

I found they enhanced soundstage effects.
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