Herbie’s Super Black Hole CD Mat - Wow!


I just received the Herbie’s Audio Lab Super Black Hole CD mat in mail. It’s a little black disc that fits atop a CD which has silicon on one side (the side that touches the CD) and carbon fiber on the top. I’ve only listened to a few songs (electronic genre) and my first impression was simply “Wow!” I’m hearing so much further into the recording. I’m hearing the ambience much better. Notes have more texture. Imaging seems to have improved. On one track, there is a sound that is panned to the right and repeats three times. I thought it was identical on each note, but with the CD mat it’s easy to hear that on the second note, it actually moves 6 inches towards the center of the soundstage and then back out to the right. It’s always fun to rediscover your music when you find a tweak you enjoy. 
From their website, this is how they say it works:

“By reducing micro-vibration in the CD spin during playback, laser-reading error is potentially reduced. (Error correction in audio CD discs is not perfect; it is algorithm-based "guessing," not binary like in data CDs). By damping the disc/clamp interface, micro-vibrations generated by spinning discs are hindered, keeping them from permeating throughout the player where capacitors, op-amps, micro-processors, and other sensitive parts can be adversely affected.”

I can’t confirm whether or not that’s the whole story to how it works, but I’m convinced it does something amazing. I will report back after I listen to some more music of other genres.
128x128mkgus
 A search laed me to a review, but the picture is small and I haven't yet read the lengthy review. Do they peel off to be used on the next CD?

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0109/fo_q_audio_dampening.htm
I still have my CD Greenback after all these years. Made a difference used in my California Audio Labs Icon Mk2 cd player.
Thanks for your review ! I ordered one based on this. I have been using a SID as well as the CD lathe from audio desk systeme to great effect . Looking forward to comparing the twu discs' effects .
I wanted to order the New Dark Matter from Geoffkait , but Yahoo said to correct his email address , so I can't order it .
Geoff I'm here:  bohan.joseph@yahoo.com  
Contact me and I'll order one .
Joe
Hey, Joe - would you believe I’m unable to send email to the address you gave? The syntax doesn’t look right. Never had that happen before. 😛 Try sending PM. My email address has not changed in 20 years. Also - There is an Audiogon listing for NDM as we speak.
I have had four damping discs including the Marigo green and black and the Herbie's super black hole.  The same results with the Herbie's, dulling the dynamics and highs, robbing the sound of it's musicality as Robert and Frank report.  Yuk!  However, I am using it on my VPI TNT VI placed on the center spindle where it raises the label slightly and with the VPI heavy weight, gives my less thick, standard discs (under 140mm thickness) a better VTA.  I suspect that the center dip in the platter is compensated for by the Herbie's black hole. 
I also have the Ultradesk CD cutter and a first edition of their demagnetizer.   The only, major and simple to use product I've been using for about 8 years now is the Walker Talisman demagnetiser, a pair of magnets swept over the top and bottom of discs.  It's so obvious in use, just play a disc, then demagnetize and voila, a superior sound (more coherent, dynamic, clean).  Sure it may sound like a rip off at over $200 for a pair of magnets but it's elegant and better than the Ultradesk cutter in so many ways.   I also highly recommend Herbie's tube dampers.  Even multiple silicone rings on tubes are great at reducing ringing/vibrations from tubes.