Tweakers' Asylum: REVIEW: Herbie's Audio Lab Grungebuster CD Mat Accessory by cdc

Model:	Grungebuster CD Mat
Category:	Accessory
Suggested Retail Price:	$19.95
Description:	CD Mat
Manufacturer URL:	Herbie's Audio Lab
Model Picture:	View

Review by cdc on January 30, 2004 at 00:55:15
IP Address: 67.123.84.43

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for the Grungebuster CD Mat

I do not normally write product reviews, but this inexpensive product deserves some attention. After reading a review/post by SoftwireEngineer I decided to order and try out a Herbie's Grungebuster CD Mat. I have tried the rings that Monster sells and they did nothing that I could tell. Other then the Monster brand rings, I have not had any personal experience with CD mats. I live in N. CA., ordered the Grungebuster CD Mat yesterday afternoon and got it in the mail when I came home earlier this evening. With shipping and sales tax I paid a total of $25.27 for the Grungebuster CD Mat.
My digital front end is not the best there is, but definitely not low end nor inexpensive (see below). I love tweaks, especially inexpensive ones, so I had to give this one a try. I dropped in a CD that I am very familiar with by Kenny G (Paradise) on the transport tray with the Grungebuster CD Mat installed. Put on track #8 "falling in the moonlight" and pressed play on the remote. Fifteen seconds into the song I was saying "hey, I like this".
Ok, after about 1.5 hours of listening to CDs and tracks I am familiar with, with the Grungebuster CD Mat installed and not installed, here is what I came up with:
Every CD I listen to from now on will have this rubbery mat on it, period. The Grungebuster CD Mat in my system is worth much more then the $25 I paid!
I am not an audiophile literate person, but I will attempt to share with you in words what I heard. The PRAT was improved, sub frequency bass was more dynamic and seemed like it was boosted, The rough HF that I did not know was present was removed (the grunge in Grungebuster?). More fluid, better timed presentation and lack of HF glare and distortion resulted in the music being more emotional with a smoother more liquid like presentation. My two channel digital playback system sounded good before, now it is better.
Super glad I read the review by SoftwireEngineer and pulled the trigger on this little gem!
cdc

Product Weakness: Cannot think of one right now.
Product Strengths: Works as advertised and is inexpensive.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Proceed AMP2
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Citation 5.0
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Proceed CDD and DAP
Speakers:	Highly custom/modified Infinity IL40 and a Sunfire Subwoofer Signature Sub
Cables/Interconnects:	Many aftermarket PCs, ICs, etc.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Modern Jazz, dance
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 day
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Cannot think of one right now.
Product Strengths:	Works as advertised and is inexpensive.