demagnitizing CD s?

Maybe I am missing something but I thought CD's were optical devices and the core was aluminum and therefore non magnetic?

The Japanese have a ultra high speed train that is suspended by magnetic repulsion. The material that spins is aluminum. Although the material is non magnetic, the explanation is that the material sees its reflection in the high speed wave and creates a magnetic field that is near zero friction and strong enough to suspend the train. I am probably not explaining it well, and if there is any real interest on this subject, there are probably sites on the internet that cover it. The CD spins at well over 600 RPM, and I admit that I do not know if this could create any magnetic reflections or even if this particular explanation has anything at all to do with the subject we are on. I do know is that there are a number of people who I respect that say that using a demagnetizer improved the sound of their CD's. There was a time when I was told that the power cables running to your equipment could effect the sound, and I had a hard time believing them. Luckily I experimented and no longer own any factory supplied power cords. The point here is to discover what works, if this tweak does improve sound it may be worth it to him. Anyway, Hornby (the poster), probably does not care why it works or if any of us are correct in our theories. All that matters is that it is an inexpensive experiment, not much worse than some bad choices at the local music store in software purchases, and it might improve his entire library. One last thing......several years ago when I owned a Krell MD 10 CD transport, our group was testing digital sources, comparing Krell to Wadia and Theta. We had tried several types of interconnect and different feet, and we came to the stage where we adding weights to the top of the players. During one experiment I went back to play an LP and put the record jacket on top of the Krell after I removed the weight. There was an amazing improvement in the Krell when we returned to play it again, and we were totally puzzled by this before finding the solution. My room lighting is primarily halogen spots and I had installed photographic gels to correct the color temperature so LP's would look a more natural color. The top of the Krell is Plexiglas and the combined colors were causing errors in the laser. I reported this to Krell, and after they tested, they provided a modification where this unit was shielded from extraneous light to avoid this error. I know this is not related to magnetics, a laser is light and the error was caused by light, but there are many things that seem implausible at a given time that later have an explanation. As I said before, I am an experimenter and music lover, not an engineer. If this works for this guy, for whatever the reason, I hope he reports his findings here so someone else may benefit. I don't think making light of this posters enthusiasm to experiment is a very good source of entertainment.

Albert, Thank You for reinforcing the "let's keep an open mind" cause here on Audiogon. While aluminum may not be a magnetic property in itself, have you ever built up a static charge by lazily walking across PLASTIC ( nylon, polyester, polyolefin, etc..) carpet and then touched a non ferrous piece of metal ? Now can you imagine "supercharging" your static build-up by rubbing your feet on the carpet at extremely high speed and then touching the metal ? That's kind of what is happening as the "plastic" CD is spun at great speed with a captive piece of metal inside of it. Keep in mind that this is ONLY a theory so PLEASE don't crucify me for it. My observation with the Bedini Ultra Clarifier is that it DOES work. The sound is smoother, offers more detail and has a quieter background in my experience. Then again, this is all subjective and this is only my opinion. Sean
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In April 2000 Stereophile reviewed a Japanese "demagnetiser"
he Furutech. These folks maintain, that their gadget is better then the Bedini, because the motor in the B. would "remagnetise" the CD. I've got a Furutech, it looks very nice and sexy and listening to good CD's through a really very high resolution system I try very hard to hear some sort of difference to untreated CD's. Sofar I am not sure of the effect. If there are differences, they must be very subtle. Kudos again to Albert. What would AudioGon be without him !

Here's another theory: the static charge in the plastic layer of the CD "bends" the LASER beam, causing jitter. Whatever the reason, my bulk tape eraser will continue to be used on every CD I play. All of which, incidently, have green edges.