General Asylum: REVIEW: Mapleshade Mikro-smooth Other by Greg Cz

Model:	Mikro-smooth
Category:	Other
Suggested Retail Price:	$15.95
Description:	Very fine CD polishing compound
Manufacturer URL:	Mapleshade
Manufacturer URL:	Mapleshade

Review by Greg Cz ( A ) on April 11, 2002 at 16:45:01
IP Address: 24.247.137.144

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Mikro-smooth/Optrix/Connoisseurs Gold Polishing Cloth Review
CD technology relies on optical reading through plastic. The clear coating of CD disc is a lens. Increasing accurate transmission through this lens will improve accuracy of audio output. If you have a high-resolution audio system you may find that the process described in this review will improve CD performance.
From Mapleshade (www.mapleshade.com) and other sources two products are available. Mikro-smooth is a very, very fine polishing compound to level and remove residues from the surface of CDs. Optrix literature describes their product in this manner, â€œOptrix applies an invisible film to optical discs to increase their optical clarity and remove optical noise from the laser signal.â€
Beyond these two products I have taken polishing several steps further. If you carefully watch the surface of the CD you will see visible change in reflectivity of the aluminum or gold underneath the plastic coating through this polishing process.
The Mikro-smooth liquid comes with two small polishing pads. Using these pads will produce small scratches on the surface of the CD. Although visible they appear to have no effect on sound quality. To substitute I use a thin and soft cloth to apply the liquid.
1. Put two drops of Mikro-smooth on the CD. Use your cloth to dot the drops around the surface. Then make three or four gentle polishing trips around the CD. You will see the action of the polishing compound. The first trip will result in beads of compound on the surface. The second trip will produce fine beads. The third trip will leave a coating without beads. The Mikro-smooth literature suggests polishing for about 30 seconds.
2. Lightly wash and dry the CD. I use unprinted paper towels for drying, but likely a clean cotton towel would work just as well.
3. One side at a time, apply one spray of Optrix on each side of the CD. I evenly spread and dry with plain white toilet paper.
4. From WalMart I purchased Connoisseurs Ultrasoft Gold Jewelry Polishing Cloth in the jewelry department. With this cloth I make just one gently trip around the CD using the white side that applies a very light coating of polishing compound.
5. Flipping the cloth over to the purple side, I make approximately six gentle polishing trips around the CD.
6. Following use of this cloth I use a piece of cotton flannel and make approximately another six gentle polishing trips around the CD.
7. Lightly wash and dry the CD. By this time water will bead and barely stay on the CD.
8. Repeat the Optrix treatment of step #3.
Sound quality: Overall, music is smoother. Perhaps I could say more Super Audio CD like, but the polishing process does to a large degree remove the edginess that some people describe as CD grain or harshness.
There is an increase in detail. For example, in Jane Monheitâ€™s latest album, â€œCome Dream With Me,â€ the first cut is â€œOver the Rainbow.â€ Halfway through this piece the drummer gently begins to brush a cymbal. Initially this brushing sounded vaguely like tape hiss. After completing the CD polishing process the hiss became a brushed cymbal.
Lower midrange detail improved providing more depth. Music became more dynamic and transparent. It was possible to decrease sound volume necessary to receive the same amount of detail.
I donâ€™t want to stretch and imply this is the greatest thing since the invention of the CD, but it is a process that has yielded excellent results in my system.
A great value of the Aslum is sharing experimentation. Take my tinkering and move it forward.

Product Weakness: Hard on the finger tips, polish only 8 CDs in a sitting
Product Strengths: Improved CD sound quality

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Musical Fidelity A300
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Cambridge 500SE as CD transport to MSB Link 3 with upsampling
Speakers:	Slightly modified Magnaplanar MG12, Homebrew subwoofer
Cables/Interconnects:	VenHaus Cat5, HGA Silver Lace
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Many
Room Size (LxWxH):	28' x 16' x 8-16'
Room Comments/Treatments:	carpeting
Time Period/Length of Audition:	6 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	none
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Hard on the finger tips, polish only 8 CDs in a sitting
Product Strengths:	Improved CD sound quality