CD Sound

Eventually the marker ink can and often does eat through the thin layer ruining some or all of the playing data.

So I always write in the most outer area where recorded data has not reached.

The Philips brand of CD-R as shown in this picture is a very cheap disc with thinner than average coating on label side btw.

 

I think we're going to have to be more concise in describing the differences in CDR backing if we're ever going to determine any kind of assurance of degradation. I've studied this since I started recording to Sony CDR's back in 2005 and using a sharpy marker to write all the songs I ripped to it.

I have over 40 ripped Sony music CDR's from 2005 era and written with a marker listing the songs that still play flawlessly in all three of my CD players. The markers have yellowed the outside aluminum surface but not the other side that has the reflective backing. However, I discovered the Sony CDR's aluminum backing surface appears to be glued with a thin bead to the inner and outer edges of the polycarbonate disc and I'ld have to assume static electricity or capillary action affixes the rest. If I nick any part of the aluminum surface with a razor blade I can peel it off similar to sheets of dried paint. See pic below.

Commercial factory pressed CD's have what appears as paint or an enamel paint coating almost bonded to the entire polycarbonate surface very different from Sony CDR's. The Philips CDR's are more like the factory pressed CD's in that it takes a paint scraper to forcefully scrape it off the disc surface. See pic below.

Sony and Philips first developed and brought to market the CD technology which is why I choose either CDR brands. I have no problems ripping them and playing them.

 

Traverse City local library liked to do this

 

Bought a used EMI Greatest Hits Queen CD and it has this scrape mark close to the beginning of where the music is recorded with some small pinholes on the outer edge but it plays fine.

So I don't think removing tape off the back of a CD is going to damage it.

 

I’ve been using a Herbie’s Audio Lab Super Black Hole damping ring for a few years and it improve the sound. It seems they’re no longer selling it though, but that’s happened in the past and it’s come back, getting the particular grade of silicon needed seems to be an issue from time to time.

A Review

However they still sell the CD Grungebuster Matte which though I haven’t used but would certainly try at $16.95, which is half of what the Super Black Hole cost.

Grungebuster Black CD Mat

To make a dramatic improvement to CD Sonics I recommend demagnetizeing the disc before play. No zillion dollar device required, just a $20 tape head demagnetizer wand such as has been sold since I was a teen in the 1970s, they can be found on Amazon.

Simply plug it in and move the wand in and out from the spindle hole to the outer edge, about 1/8” - 1/4” from the surface, going back and forth until you’ve done the whole face; imagine you’re drawing a daisy. Repeat on the other side and play, your ears will be delighted.

The same can be done with vinyl records to similar effect.

 

Use ordinary lighter fluid to take off any sticky glue residual.

 

Goo Gone works just as good and doesn't leave the smell of lighter fluid which for me irritates my sinuses just as much as cigarette smoke.

 

Can you give a detailed description of the improved sound? That's a lot of trouble to go through that I've never heard before since playing over 100 CD's in my collection.

 

Years ago, I was using a stick-on label system which included a centering applicator, so balance was not an issue. I doubt that speed would be affected. The problems I've had is that some slot-loading players have trouble with the thickened discs and some labels have peeled of bubbled.
I switched to ink-jet printable CD-R's, DVD-R's and DVD-R-DL's. On regular recordable discs, I just write on them using a sharpie. Never had a problem.

 

I hadn’t done a compare and contrast since I first started using the Super Black Hole, but just did so I could answer your query with a fresh perspective.

I first used the DCC CD of JoniMitchell’s Court and Spark, playing the title track multiple times with and without the SBH. What was immediately clear to me was that with the SBH in place the sound is more focused, the separation of instruments enhanced, the vocal a bit more forward, and the mid-bass has a touch of unveiling.

I then put on a recent purchase, Sir Rowland Shaw & His Orchestra, Themes for Secret Agents. Disc 1 is all James Bond scoring, Disc 2 has themes from many of the classic 60’s TV spy dramas as well as the spoof Casino Royale. I was bowled over by how great this CD sounded when it arrived a couple of weeks ago and thought with it’s big, ballsy arrangements it would be a good one for a SBH comparison.

Indeed it was. Playing selected Bond Tracks with the SBH, I noticed a large reduction in bass bloat and far more clarity overall, with many details that were a bit quashed without the SBH now coming through clearly.

The Super Black Hole is a damping ring, using it shows that everything we do to reduce vibration helps the music sound better. For the $35 price it’s worth it to me. Sadly it is no longer offered but they are selling the Grungebuster CD matte which goes over the entire surface of the disc. I’ve never tried one of these, but for it’s much lower price of $16.88 surely will at some point.

In addition to the SBH I use Herbie’s Tall Tender Feet under a couple of components as well as the Way Excellent II turntable mat. IMHO Herbie’s makes quality products that helps make the music sound better at reasonable prices.

 

Goo Gone is much more expensive and is rather oily and tends to leave a trail of it's own and of course, it smells of Goo Gone.

As an alternative, I kept a bottle of Contractor's Solvent" in with the cleaning supplies. I buy it at the hardware store and for about the same price as a bottle of Goo Gone, you get a large spray bottle of Contractor's Solvent.

Lighter fluid, works as good or better than either and is very inexpensive.

 

The smell is the main gripe I have about any cleaning solvent. I have chemical sensitivities and Goo Gone's orange zest aroma doesn't trigger this sensitivity. Lighter fluid I stay clear and far away from. And to clear Goo Gone's oily residue I just wipe the CD with a cotton rag dipped in watery dish soap. Wipe dry with a towel.

 

Thanks for the clear description. Didn't realize CD spin vibration had that much affect on sound quality. I'll look into the Grungebuster CD matte.

 

I've had a few artists sign their cds with a sharpie. No problems with playback.

 

Good idea about lighter fluid. I used to work at hospitals and I found something that works better than anything I've ever used. It's called Adhesive Tape Remover Pads. I see boxes with blue trim and folks are giving it a bad reviews at Amazon. This is what it looks like. In 15 years I never saw the blue trim one, maybe from a different country, who know????

https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Tap...eywords=pdi+adhesive+tape+remover+pads+B16400

 

I read a few more posts, this might be expensive for some but you do get 100 packets. Usually one is enough.