Digital Drive: REVIEW: The Audio Differernce CD Clarity Accessory by mcondo

Model:	CD Clarity
Category:	Accessory
Suggested Retail Price:	$15.00
Description:	CD Cleaner / Enhancer
Manufacturer URL:	The Audio Differernce
Manufacturer URL:	The Audio Differernce

Review by mcondo ( A ) on February 07, 2003 at 03:19:37
IP Address: 12.250.115.246

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Having exceeded budget in upgrading my system, I have been investigatinginexpensive tweaks to get that last ounce of performance we all strive for.A few weeks ago I ran out of a two year old bottle of Discwasher CD cleaner about the same time as I saw a number of CD Enhancement product reviews in the e-zines; Otpix, Auriel, Walker, and one that intrigued me based on price - CD Clarity from The Audio Difference out of Oregon. For not much more than I would pay for a generic cleaner, I ordered a bottle of CD Clarity and over the past few weeks have been testing it on several CD's. As many inmates may be in the same budget situation I am in, I thought it worthwhile to share my experience with this product and tweak.
The first CD I tested was the old ABKO re-master of the Stones first release, The Rolling Stones, aka England's Newest Hitmakers. I was actually trying to compare the CD layer of the new SACD remaster to that of the old. Pre-application the original remaster had a nasty edge to it, after application there was a distinct reduction in those nasties, with the added
benefit of a little more clarity and detail. Needless to say, the old still did not sound as good as the CD layer on the SACD, but it was improved. Interestingly, I played this treated CD in my car and found it to be significantly clearer and more detailed in this type listening environment.
The second CD I tested was Rough Mix, a 70's semi -"unplugged" CD from Pete Townsend / Ronnie Lane. As my system usually performs well with more acoustic, unplugged type CD's, I was never happy with the sound - I found it unresolved and hard to listen to. After the treatment (a couple squirts) I found myself finally enjoying this CD and understanding why some consider it a hidden gem. The mix became much clearer and the instrumentation sounded more "unplugged".
The third CD I tested was a recent purchase, St. Germain's "Tourist". This CD is a French jazz release with overtones of groove/techno. Untreated the CD (especially track 4 -Land of .... ) had a wonderful sound, with clear highs and a punchiness to the incessant beat. After treatment, I found the highs distorted and the overall sound to be somewhat constricted. More on this later.
The fourth CD I tested was a track from an old Chris Rea release Expresso Logic - "If You Were Me", a duet with Elton John. The CD is a dog, but this track has great male vocals that are deep and quite throaty. After treatment, I found the duet parts to be even deeper, and you could clearly hear the "throat" in their singing. Reminded me of the oft referenced sound of Leonard Cohen's "Boogie Street".
The fifth CD I tested was Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms", which already has a great sound. After treatment I found the CD glorious, with great snap and clarity to the instrumentation and what I perceived as improved dynamic range.
At this point I revisited the St Germain CD - I washed off the CD Clarity with mild dish soap and re-listened to it untreated. The highs and punchiness had returned. I then re-treated this CD and listened to track 4 - there was no degradation like the first test, but I can't say it sounded any better post-treatment.
Disclaimers: All testing was done with my NAD C541 as the source. The four discs I perceived as improved are older releases - maybe CD Clarity is more effective on older stuff. Maybe I just hadn't listened to them enough to create a reference. I'm not sure but for $15, I found the tweak very worthwhile. YMMV. NoA
PS, I ordered the green CD pen at the same time as the CD Clarity product. Skip it - it's just a Sharpie with a notch cut out to fit the edge of the CD and I did not perceive any difference on the few CD's I tried it on.

Product Weakness: None at this price.
Product Strengths: Price, value. For a tweak, seems to work in a not so subtle way.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Audio Refinement Complete 50W
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	NAD C541
Speakers:	Pro-Ac Studio 125's
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY PC, Audioquest Diamondbacks
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	See review
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Over 4 week period
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None at this price.
Product Strengths:	Price, value. For a tweak, seems to work in a not so subtle way.