2. digital
  3. 1227242737

Rain-X as CD Enhancement Treatment

I have used the Auric Illuminator treatment on my CD collection for several years now. I am a believer in the AI, and repeated A/B tests of identical treated/untreated CDs bore out significant improvements after treatment with AI.

I ran out of the fluid and my marker dried out, so I was searching for mew treatments on the market before buying another AI kit or choosing something new. That's when I ran across this article by Greg Weaver at Soundstage, where he talks about having used Rain-X and a green marker(Staedtler Lumocolor 357, price about $3.00) as a treatment on his CDs to great effect.

http://www.soundstage.com/synergize/synergize200005.htm

Being the complete geek that I am, I had to try it for my self. I found the marker at Office Depot, and picked up a little bottle of Rain-X for $2.99. I treated a couple of CDs that I have ended up with duplicate copies of (Grant Green's Green Street, Frank Sinatra Sextet Live In Paris)and tested the Rain-X/marker treated vs. untreated disks.

Well, low and behold, the treated disks sounded notably improved; the music was clearer and louder, especially the midrange, the soundstage was larger with better definition and separation of instruments and the bass was tighter and deeper.

I can't say that the Rain-X treatment was or was not better sounding than the AI, but at the least very it is close, for a fraction of the price.

Has anyone else ever tried the Rain-X treatment?
craig_hoch
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
"My personality will not allow me to try it... "

I don't consider that a valid excuse, but you are being honest.
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Touche...I don't consider anecdotal reports of CD sound improvement as a valid excuse to go treating my CD's with car wax or green markers, but you are being persistent ;-)
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
I am not only being persistent, but CONsistent. I am not willing to allow unsubstantiatied reports of efficacy of said treatements to be accepted unless I have done the test myself.

The efficacy of the treatment lies in the ability to hear clearly, easily a difference in sound. I found that to be the case with disc treatments such as polishes.

You are acting consistently with your belief that there will be no effect. However your belief is wrong. You could determine through simple testing whether your belief, though you think it well founded, is correct. :)

I think a fear lies behind the unwillingness to test it out. You consistently suggest to others that if there is a change to the sound through said treatments there is a "problem" with their gear. Are you willing to face that possibility with your own gear?

Of course, I insist there is no problem at all with the gear. :)
dgarretson
2,594 posts
 
Shadorne,

Webster's definition of scientific method: "principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses."

The problem in the digital domain is jitter, a widely accepted phenomenon. Your hypothesis (AFAIK based purely on theoretical reading) seems to be that that reclocking DACs, jitter jails, etc., reduce jitter introduced through optics & transport to irrevelevancy. Further data acquisition (testing of pens, surface treatments, transport mods, etc.) may test your hypothesis-- perhaps disproved by the evidence of your ears.

Admission: I use and enjoy CD Stop light.

douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Dgarretson, excellent post. What's not often discussed in debates (friendly, as this one is, or not) is negative bias. Often arguments are used in an effort to discount treatments/tweaks without addressing the fact that some approach listening to tests of said treatments with an attitude/mindset which minimizes or marginalizes what they are hearing.

Of course, it's impossible to approach such tests completely unbiased, but the playing field should be level. :)

I always find it rewarding when I can show someone with a negative bias the efficacy of such treatments. It is impressive when someone disposed to discount their worth hears and is convinced of their efficacy.

Sometime I'll have to try the green marker thing. My ego is not such that I fear being made fun of. I just don't care to do truly stupid things (i.e. overdrink, have illicit sex, etc.)
More to discover