If your CD's are harsh, try this


make a 2nd copy on a cd burner. This will be analog, not digital. Smooths out the sound.
cdc
Cdc, a copy done with a CD burner is a digital copy, and not an analogue. The CD medium itself is a digital medium and is not analogue at all.

KF
I use the Auric Illuminator system (black pen & anti-static/polishing fluid). This seems to do a good job of removing some of the digital glare on CD's.
I agree with the above two posters completely, and the individule who started this thread is mistaken, perhaps you are loosing some information but your not getting better sound. I would suspect some of Cdc's equipment/room have a lot to do with why he gets harsh sounding CD's to sound better with a fair at best CD/R copy.