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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
 
Eldartford, you are correct; I have never used CD treatments as a repair method. My goal is entirely improved sonics. There seems to be some confusion here about scratch repairs and sonics. Any scratch repair in my usage of polishes is entirely incidental.

I wanted to clarify so that you do not think the challenge/concept of CD treatment stems mostly from repairs. My discussion pertains to the usage of disc treatments solely for change/improvement of the sound.
rodman99999
6,097 posts
 
Douglas(Or anyone else out there who's mind is not concrete on this subject: Thoroughly mixed up, and permanently set), you may want to read this:- (http://www.ultrabitplatinum.com/How_it_Works.html) Whether you believe this information or not- THE PRODUCT WORKS, PERIOD!! If you never try something, you have no valid opinion on the subject and further discussion is simply pissing up the proverbial rope.
rodman99999
6,097 posts
 
Sorry- I forgot: Your right to Freedom of Speech not withstanding. It's hard to let others have the last word though, isn't it?
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
I bought the Rain-X. The package says "do not use on plastics..." I'm sure I have a disc that I don't care about and it will get the treatment. If I try it and it doesn't work am I then authorized to say so?

I know it works on windshields, so my $3.99 will not be wasted.
rodman99999
6,097 posts
 
KUDOS Eldartford- You've taken the first step on the road to recovery(even if you don't hear a difference). You DO know flying with your window open is hazardous to your hearing, right? Or do you always wear a Bose headset too? =8^)
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