Not counting buying a turntable or going SACD, what tips , tweaks or products have you had success with , that lessens the harshness of the cd format? Thanks!
Definitely wires, then PS Audio power plant, then cones/maple shelf/IsoBlocks under the CD player, then CD treatments like Mapleshade Mikro-Smooth and Walker Vivid. Pretty much in that order. Good luck.
I have applied Dynamat on the inside of my transport (sparingly, a little goes a long way) and have used Blu-Tak on the "Bridge" of the drive and on the drawer. This gave noticeable improvement. But what was my best tweak, and seemed like an upgrade in equipment, was using Blu-Tak on the clock and on parts of the PCB in my DAC. Some prefer using a small sandbag, but I chose the Blu-Tak. Go to AA and look up "Sandbag on the clock" or “Damping CD players” or try this link
This is a wealth of info and you can read about the differences between sandbags and Blu-Tak. I never used to be a believer in the isolation idea, but after this tweak, I'm a TRUE believer. It was absolutely night and day. It is now cleaner, detailed, better sense of depth and soundstage and the bass has improve.
Another worthwhile tweak is to find a good way to isolate the transport and DAC from other vibration. For my setup, solid maple shelves (1 ½ inch thick), on Vibrapods and cones between the transport/DAC and the shelf. I know this is a highly debated issue, but only you can decide for yourself, by experimenting.
I also agree with the others on trying different power cords, especially on the DAC. If you can have a dedicated circuit put in, get one for your digital gear alone, (along with the analog side as well as for your amps, but that is a different matter) which will also help. Hope this helps. Just try some of these; you just might like what you hear!
Cleaning up AC power definitely helped my problems in that regard. The JPS Digital AC cord is one popluar remedy here on the 'Gon, in the filtered AC cord area. An AC power input balancing transformer or other line conditioning has reportedly been successfully implemented (although I did not require them - just the filtered cord). RF stoppers on the output interconnects may be a useful troubleshooting tool, but should not be left installed permanently (they excessively round off the HF's & transients). Ferrite filtering ring &/or Highwire Powerwrap on the AC cord may do well for you however. I also realized improvement with Nordost Pulsar Points placed in between the CDP's baseplate & whatever type of shelf that you're using (if any). In my case that would be a Zoethecus Z-Slab, (Mapleshade or Black Diamond are some other popular shelf options). But you'll need to experiment in order to to determine what works best with your own unique combination of player, cabling, & equipment rack in any case.
What is your set-up, how long have you had it, and what sort of digital nasties are you experiencing?
A few weeks ago, I added Krell FPB 350 MCX monos to my system and started experiencing some harsh-ness in the high end.
I've done a few things and it has largely disappeared.
I ran my Krells non-stop for a few days, started leaving them on all the time, never turning them off. I bought them used so I thought they were broken in, but they are still improving.
My speakers have two upper and two lower binding posts. I was plugging my speaker cables into the top posts, but I switched to the bottoms.
I towed my speakers in a few inches.
I added a Blue Circle Noise Hound to the circuit to which my CD player and pre-amp are connected.
Not sure which of these caused the most improvement, but the harshness is gone and the system is sounding great.
I'll chime in with my story too. First I had my CDP modified w/Blackgates & Schottkys & after many PC's settled on a TG Audio 688. Also using Luminous Audio Synchestra Sigs (XLR) and Herbie's footers. Sounds excellent to me & anybody else who's had a listen.
Also have dedicated lines & Porter ports, so hopefully everything connected with the CDP is just allowing the signal to get through w/o additions/restrictions. Of course that's not really possible but if you surround your CDP with the best ancillary equipment (for your ears) then you should be able to extract what your CDP is capable of. If it's still harsh, try another CDP. Oh, mine is a Meridian 508.20. Not the most expensive nor the least but able to do a fine job with the right combination of gear.
Many good suggestions above. In the quest for better digital sound, I've gone to an aftermarket cord (without spending huge $$$), damped the chassis of the player extensively with industrial floor tile, addressed support and isolation, and used high quality power conditioning.
Something that gets little mention and is probably grossly underestimated and receives little recognition (probably because of its low cost) is the Quantum Electroclear line filter, available for $40. For $40, this is probably the bang for the buck champion in eliminating/reducing the edge from digital.
All Good thoughts. Im going to digest them all, but my first experiment is to make sure all powercords have as little as possible contact with the Interconnects. I have had different results placing my equipment in different places of my rack. not only with harshness , but also with dynamics etc. At first I thought it was my pre too close to my amp. But maybe its the way my interconnects and power cords are intersecting . Im running a Technics DVDA-10 as a transport into an Integra Research RDC-7, on to a Classe 301 amp then into Legacy Signature III speakers . I have a VD nite on the Integra , dedicated lines and a Tice powerblock HP C. I had it all "sweet" before, except a 3 meter pair of balanced interconnects was picking up a hum {drapped behind my rear projection Televison} Now I have a 1 meter pair of Stealth PGS as I have moved the Classe back over to the other side closer to the pre. Im going to go to another set up putting the pre all the way at the top so all Pc's in my system will not touch any interconnects. But I certainly will take all suggestions into account. keep coming with the idea's . thanks !
I own the Audio Magic Mini Digital. With a couple of good power cords, (I use Lat International. inexpensive, but combined with the Stealth--Nirvana) your cdp will go where it's never gone before. peace, warren
I agree with the power quality responses. I have had good luck with the JPS Digital AC cord. Being obsessive as I am I also added an ExactPower power conditioner and have been very happy.
I have also used a set of the Aurios bearings. The bearings didn't remove the harshness as much as cleaned up a slight muddiness.
The Nasties are gone. I had the thought , but Viggen cemented it in my head. I moved all the power cords away from the interconnects, and the detail has returned ! If you think about it, most equipment has the PC inlet on the left, so if your installing dedicated lines , have those off to the left so you do not run your PC.s crossing your interonnects. Im still going to try some of the tweaks though, some sound very interesting, Thanks to all !
Just to reinforce to other goners, after exteneded "Friday night turn up the volume listening" the difference moving all your powercords away from the interconnects is staggering ! Detail, layering of instruments, Im on a HIfi High ! Thanks again
I would also recommend the Taddeo Digital Antidote II. More information can be found here: www.taddeodigital.com
It is inexpensive, and does an impressive job of correcting the phase timing errors that are present in 16/44 digital, which seem to be largely responsible for the tiring edgyness that digital is known for. I have just received a unit, and consider it a worthy upgrade, especially considering the more than reasonable price. The sound of my Rega Jupiter 2000, while great without it, is certainly more full-bodied, smoother and warmer (as well as sounding harmonically more complex, more similar to my analog set-up, which gives the impression of a higher resolution source).
Pretty well no matter what you do to tweak, you will still have the lingering phase problems, I think Taddeo is the only company to actually address the problem. With a 30 day guarantee, it is difficult to lose.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
