I originally purchased the Bedini Clarifier. This was the first version, which was hand held and powered by batteries. I slapped a disc on it and held the switch, powering the device for the recommended time period. I think that this was something like 10 or 15 seconds if i recall correctly. Popped the disc into one of my disc players and could tell no difference whatsoever.
Oh well, it was only a few bucks. Like most of my other "gadgets", i had purchased it used at a "great price". After giving it several more tries over an extended period of time, i pretty much let the Clarifier collect dust as it seemed to do nothing other than waste my time and eat batteries.
Quite a bit later, i ran across someone that was selling a ton of gear. I purchased quite a few of the items in kind of a "bulk" transaction. In with some of the gear was the desk-top version of the Bedini, the "Ultra Clarifier". This is a larger desk top version of the hand held Clarifier. It does not run off of batteries but is instead powered from a wall mounted transformer ( aka "wall wart" ). You push the disc down onto the spindle of the unit and hit a little red button. The "Ultra Clarifier" spins the disc for an extended period of time compared to what was recommended with the hand held version. If i can remember correctly, it is slightly over 1 minute before the disc is ready to be removed.
Upon trying a few discs using the desk top model, i noticed that the noise floor was lower and there was less "digital glare". Midrange sounded more liquid and the overall presentation was smoother. I liked the results and continued to use it.
I mentioned that i had one of these units to my Dad and he laughed. My Dad basically said that i could have gotten a more powerful and more versatile "demagnetizer" from Radio Shack for less money and then made some smart comments about it not doing anything to begin with. My Brother made note of the "less than supportive" comments that my Dad had made and basically remained silent. I never mentioned what i thought that i had heard or that i also had the earlier hand held version and had a negative response with that unit. I just chalked it up to the usual "ribbing" that we always dished out between the three of us and left it alone.
A few weeks later, my Brother came by and "stole" my desk top "Ultra Clarifier" when i was not home. He was unaware of the results that i thought the unit produced, so if he heard something, it was not born of preconcieved notions that i had put into his head. Upon checking with him a few days later, i asked him what he thought of the Bedini Ultra Clarifier. His response was that he thought that he had noticed a lower noise floor with a smoother presentation. He said that he thought that cymbals sounded cleaner, voices sounded more liquid and natural, etc... He also said that it was not a major change or blatantly noticeable but that he did think that it was "real" and not imaginary. As such, we basically had formed identical opinions on our own using completely different systems at different times.
As to what the "new & improved" Ultra Clarifier II does in comparison to the "old & discontinued" Ultra Clarifier, i do not know. I do know that Music Direct used to have quite a few of the Ultra Clarifier's sitting around that they had taken in on trade-in's on the newer model. They were selling them for something like $49.99 if i recall correctly. If you are interested in checking one of these out, you can try emailing or calling Music Direct to see if they have any of them left. I typically deal with Bes, but any of the folks there would be glad to help you.
As to the Furutech, i have no idea how it works or what the differences are between it and the Bedini. I've read about it but i did not think enough of it to buy one. I "assumed" that it probably did the same thing as the Bedini ( give or take ). I do know that the Cable Company likes and pushes the Furutech, so you might want to look on their website and / or give them a call to find out more info about it. Sean
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