Bedini Clarifier II, FuruTech RD-1 etc

Carl, do you find Bedini must be used every time CD is played, to get max benefit? Which Cds benefit most from clarifacation, and what areas of sound are enhanced? I must say Bedini II at $150 is easier to swallow, regards Sam

Shayner, tweak items are very interesting because many times the exact scientific reason why they effect the sound is not fully understood. April/2000 issue of Stereophile page 193, Robt Duetsch tries Furutech unit and claims he hears improvement especially on frequently played CDs, and says Furutech provides FFT spectral analysis showing reduction of noise and distortion. My own experiments with heavy duty radio shack de-magnetizer have caught my attention, and I will pursue further....you are obviously correct that aluminum is not magnetic, but motor that drives CD has some magnetic flux which may be stored on CD? Who knows but the quest of the audiophile is to try different things, and use what works best in your system, regards....Sam

Dtsag,Carl I am pretty much a believer now, as this weekend I played 10-15 CDs I am very familiar with in the rock/alt category, I have treated them with Auric Illuminator because they had the familiar treble grain/glare common with mediocre recordings, Auric restored some smoothness to treble.....the radio shack de-magnetizer in every case improved further in this area.....if Bedini is even better I will have to try for sure....the trouble with tweaks is there is always one more to try, heh heh heh......regards Sam

While waiting for my Bedini II, I become more and more impressed with results from Radio Shack de-mag unit ($38). Here is how I get best results, get clear 2 sided plastic binder pages from business supply store and cut down 2 sides so remaining square is open two sides and 1 inch bigger than CD diameter. Slide in CD, have music side face up, hold de-mag unit very close to plastic surface, activate and make circular passes for 5 seconds, slowly pull away a couple feet and turn off. CD is now ready for play, reduced treble glare/grain and improved 3D spatial details most noticable, maximum improvement noted on average/below average recordings like rock/alt. If Bedini II can top this I will be impressed, as I will not be able to do without this tweak, I rank this up there close to same level of improvement I hear using Auric Illuminator on same discs ......regards Sam

Sean, thanks for the tip, I already ordered Bedini II from Elusive Disc $150,close to where I now live, Cincinnati. BTW I lived in Chicago from 1979-91 in Lincoln Park, by Fullerton & Clark St, wish I was still there.....but things change. I have no doubt that Bedini II will work, but I think FuruTech design of keeping CD stationary while being treated is better concept, cost is much higher $300-350......thanks for all the useful comments guys....regards Sam

I have used my new Bedini II now on many CDs and it is a winner, for whatever reason it reduces HF grain/glare and slightly enhances overall detail resolution. The combination of Auric Illuminator/Bedini II will work wonders on average/below average recordings where change is most noticeable. I have many rock/alt CDs where @75% of HF grain/glare has been removed by this combination, makes them much more listenable. On good recordings the Bedini II effect is much more subtle, but still worthwile. The Furutech may be better unit, I did not audition, but the Bedini II at $150 is well worth the investment, I will be using it from now on, regards Sam

Craig, the whole process is automatic and takes less than 30 seconds, Bedinni II has auto timer, insert CD & push button. I use for every play. Unit is somewhat noisy during spin, I set on folded hand towel to muffle. I have small ornate table by CD library where I place Bedini II, and run through cycle. If you use Auric Illuminator in combination with Bedini II, you can get dramatic improvements on average/below average recordings, which covers many mainstream rock/alt from 60/70/80s. Many places sell for $149 like Galen Carol, Elusive Disc etc. These same places claim Furutech RD-1 is better, but cost is $300-349, I am happy with Bedini II