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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
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
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.
fleschler
2,008 posts
 
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.  
fleschler
2,008 posts
 
I've used four different CD rings including a green and black Marigo.  The Herbie's use results are the same in my system as in Robert and Frank's.  Diminished musicality, reduced dynamics and compressed sound.  Not good.  However, I have an alternative use for the black hole.  I use it around the center spindle of my VPI TNT VI with superplatter.  It slightly lifts the label area to good effect with the VPI heavyweight to provide a better VTA for standard LPs (140mm and thinner).  It's probably due to the VPI platter's slight indentation slope towards the spindle area. 
I also have an Ultradesk cutter and demagnetizer.  I have since found that the Walker Talisman demagnetizer to be a superior and elegant product to use on every disc, CD and LP, with obvious benefit to every CD I play.  Sure, it over $200 for a pair of magnets but I use it exclusively since 2008.  Wonderful product or make your own.  Easy to test. Play an undemagnetized CD, then swipe the Talisman on top and below the tray with the disc in it holding a finger on the edge.  Then replay CD.  Voila, clearer, cleaner sound.  Just as if the resolution increased and distortion/hashy sound decreased.   I wouldn't want to be without it. 
I also highly recommend Herbie's tube dampers.  I've also used dual silicone rings around tubes to lessen tube vibration to great affect.  Tube vibration is not a good thing for audio.  Many cheap current production tubes can be made so much better sounding with just adding vibration control.   E.g. EAR 864 phono stage has EJ 12AX7s.  Placing dual silicone rings on each tube will improve the sound of those tubes 100%, closer to a nice pair of  NOS Siemans or Philips (not as good, but a lot closer).  Luckily my phono pre and pre-amp have only subminiature tubes with nearly vibration free glass envelopes (suitable for bomb use).  
fleschler
2,008 posts
 
I've used four different CD rings including a green and black Marigo. The Herbie's use results are the same in my system as in Robert and Frank's. Diminished musicality, reduced dynamics and compressed sound. Not good. However, I have an alternative use for the black hole. I use it around the center spindle of my VPI TNT VI with superplatter. It slightly lifts the label area to good effect with the VPI heavyweight to provide a better VTA for standard LPs (140mm and thinner). It's probably due to the VPI platter's slight indentation slope towards the spindle area.
I also have an Ultradesk cutter and demagnetizer. I have since found that the Walker Talisman demagnetizer to be a superior and elegant product to use on every disc, CD and LP, with obvious benefit to every CD I play. Sure, it over $200 for a pair of magnets but I use it exclusively since 2008. Wonderful product or make your own. Easy to test. Play an undemagnetized CD, then swipe the Talisman on top and below the tray with the disc in it holding a finger on the edge. Then replay CD. Voila, clearer, cleaner sound. Just as if the resolution increased and distortion/hashy sound decreased.  I wouldn't want to be without it.
I also highly recommend Herbie's tube dampers. I've also used dual silicone rings around tubes to lessen tube vibration to great affect. Tube vibration is not a good thing for audio. Many cheap current production tubes can be made so much better sounding with just adding vibration control.  E.g. EAR 864 phono stage has EJ 12AX7s. Placing dual silicone rings on each tube will improve the sound of those tubes 100%, closer to a nice pair of NOS Siemans or Philips (not as good, but a lot closer). Luckily my phono pre and pre-amp have only subminiature tubes with nearly vibration free glass envelopes (suitable for bomb use).
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Quick interrupt! If anyone has a stash of Monster Cable CD Rings lying around I’d be more than happy to take them off your hands. You friend and humble narrator
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