Coopersark,
I did differenrt experiment with computer audio. I started to rip CD's with this mat and compare sound from ripped CD with and without this mat. Clearly CD ripped with mat sounded better albeit in somewhat smaller proprtion then using VOSR Transport=>DAC etc.
"Some people claim not to hear difference" - In my experience vast majority of people (audiophiles or not) have pretty well developed hearing - much better then vision for example (For vision we can discriminate about 10-11 bits (at best) of gray scale and for hearing easily 22 bits, may be more).
Still these poeple do not lie when they state that they canot hear the difference between A and B whatever A or B is. From my experience it means that their systems have high enough coloration in which shadow differences between A and B pale. Somebody posted hear that what $100k system you need $200 Mat to ... whatever. Author never tried in real life and/or does not understand that (assuming that $100k were spent on true high resolution hign fidelity system)that in this situation its much easier to hear minuscle changes, not to mention Ron Hedrick mat significant effects
All The Best
Simon
Simon |
It is obvious that you have not seen it. It is even more obvious that you have not heard it. |
Jfz, While I would like to do that, please respect my privacy. Price or price range is just a context...What I am trying to say is that the higher the level the system, the more balanced the system, and the more resolving the system, the more marked the improvement that this mat makes. |
It looks the same as a rubber/synthetic disc shaped matt I use to open jars. It costs about a buck. I bet it would have the same effect. |
Coopersark - Could you share specifically what your systems are? Price, or price range, doesn't help me much re context. Thanks... |
Yes it is amazing. The higher the level of one's audio system the higher level the improvement. I know that sounds incredulous, but based on my experience I have found it to be that way. |
So in order to hear SIGNIFICANT improvement all I need is a $100K system then this $200 tweak will really be the ticket? Amazing. |
Spectron,
As you must know "your mileage may vary..." Some of the posters claim not to hear anything, and based on their experience, they may be right! The simple fact is they have not heard the new Evolution Signature mat, which is a SIGNIFICANT improvement over Ron's previous designs. The other fact is that not everyone' systems are that high in their resolution.
I have two audio systems. One in a dedicated purpose built and professionally acoustically treated listening room with a dedicated separate electric feed that houses an ultra high end system that has been carefully matched and assembled over the years. It's total price is in the stratosphere - well into the six digits. I will admit that in the context of this laboratory grade playback system the improvements are exactly as I had described them above.
The other system is in my basement workshop. That system is basically Audio Research electronics throughput with Magnepan loudspeakers, Shunyata Triton and King Cobra CX power feeding the system on dedicated lines, with Transparent Audio cabling. This is the much more down to earth system that is closer to what most guys will be using. There are improvements to this system, but nowhere near on the level as those on my reference system in my sound room. Even in the context of this more modest system, there are the gains in both the detail and image focus that you mention and is well worth the $200.00, but again in the context of my reference system the gains are MUCH more apparent, as I think the "sonic microscope" is set to a higher power of resolution in that room.
For fun try burning a couple of your best disks into your computer using the mat and them burning copies from the computer again using the mat. I think that you will be astounded with what you hear. Yes, the copy sounds better than the original, especially with image, sense of venue and space, as well as an analogue sense of ease. As you know, the new disk is not much thicker than two sheets of paper, so it will easily load into any player or computer without any problems. It would be instructive for others if your reported your finding of this on this thread! Have fun!!! |
Isn't there some chance of damage if you put a foreign object on top of a disc?
There doesn't seem to be much space for anything in my EMM transport.
I've always wondered about this with these mats. |
Thank you Cooper for great review - I could feel genuine enthusiasm. I know Ron Hendrick from early 1990's and he always made great products.
I got this mat from Marigo Lab for my Transport (Esoteric VOSR) yesterday and in a few seconds I could hear rather dramatic changes you describe.
Since everybody makes different emphasis - for me most dramaric change was in detail and image focus.
For its price, its clearly one of the best if not the best products on market, today!!!
Simon |
Badwisdom - In the case of the CD mat, aside from all the magical benefits, real or imagined, one very tangible thing a mat does is stabilize the disc, which is something that most transport makers agree on. The Esoteric transports employ a full-disc clamping mechanism, other players employ "spider clamps" that clamp the periphery of the disc. The sound of a CD player is the result of both the mechanical disc-spinning and the electronics inside. This stabilization factor may or may not be an improvement, depending on what you're starting with, but it is something beyond voodoo, IMO. That said, I don't think I can hear an improvement using one of the older Marigo discs, but that's me. |
Im actually talking about the concept itself which i find ridiculous.
Just like those Acoustic systems Resonator pieces you hang on a wall which magically transform a room's accoustic's.
Audiophile's are really devoid of any common sense sometimes and give the rest of us a really bad name. It's sad. |
hi badwisdom:
if you are replying to my post that some players don't benefit from the use of a cd mat, could you state your reasons why you consider a cd mat a definitive sound enhancer ?
if your response is to another post, please disregard my comments. |
This is a joke, right ? Please tell me this is a bad joke. |
i have the older marigo mat and the milenium mat, which i orefer, but all mats i have tried with my current cd player sound worse than no mat.
even when used in the ps audio power wave dac, there is no sonic improvement using a mat, and i imagine this is true for servers as well, as the disc is not rotating while you listen.
so, one cannot generalize that a mat will always improve the sound. |
I have an older oppo and I use the older Marigo mat in it. Fits fine, although you do need to make sure the disc is properly centered in the tray to begin with. Are you actully going to buy one of these things based on this thread? As I said, I have an older one and I don't think it does much, if anything. |
Can anyone with an OPPO CD/DVD tell me whether theres enough clearance in the drawer mechanism and the drawer opening to safely add one of these discs? Thanks |
This mat is designed to go over the CD when it loads into a player. As I understand it it does two things:
1.) Allows the laser a more accurate read of the pits in the CD.
2.) Reduced vibration at a microscopic level.
This new mat has to be properly oriented relative to the label printing on a CD as it is even dampening out micro vibrations that are caused by the printing on the CD label.
This mat is not thicker than a couple of sheets of paper, is the size and shape of a CD, DVD, or Blue-Ray. It is green on the top side and a flaked gold and green on the bottom side. Look it up on Music Direct's website and you will see a photo of it.
Here is the link:
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-61584-marigo-evolution-signature-cd-tuning-mat.aspx
I have done some burning on my computer using this mat both on original CD that I burned into my computer's music library, as well as using the mat on a recordable CD that was burned from the computer. The overall results are stunning with the copy sounding clearly better than the original, especially with that relaxed ease and sense of spaciousness around the performers. Again, for just $200 bucks this is a no brainer! |
Rob, would placing the mat under other gear make a difference, e.g., pre, TT etc? |
To chime in with my experience. I just listened to the new mat myself as I'm interested in it for my master jazz CD burning. To start with, I just listened to it as playback and it clearly sounds more musical, more relaxed, than without. Very easy to hear. Not sure why or what the theory is but the sound is clearly better in my opinion. JH |
A step above the invent of sliced bread? |
Thanks Shakey. I do not want nor need a future career in webzine reviewing. All I wanted to do was share my unbridled enthusiasm for a game changing and low cost accessory, that in the context of my main audio system elevated it to a whole new level of enjoyment. I have been an audiophile for over 35 years. In that time, I have not experienced a product that has delivered so much of a startling and major sonic improvement for so little expenditure. I simply want to share that enthusiasm with other people in the hobby. Assuming that you have a resolving system, this is a no brainier "must try" accessory. As far as I am concerned, the sonic improvements are so great, that for me, this new Marigo Evolution mat now an essential component! I am simply awestruck by this one!!!
For what it is worth, my wife joined me in a listening session in our sound room the other evening. She had no knowledge of the CD mat change that I had made. When I had started to talk as music was playing, and she "shushed" me immediately. She then proceeded to listen for a much longer time than she usually does. Basically,she did not want to leave the room! When we had finally called it a night, she then commented "Your audio system has never sounded better - ever". Coming from my non audiophile wife, that is about as strong of an endorsement as I will get. |
>Congrats Cooper! You managed to use most, if not all, of the popular audiophile descriptive phrases and terminology in a singe post! Respectfully, your post comes across as a shill for this product. You have three posts on Audiogon and two are about this mat. So...just sayin.<
His post reads exactly like a Doug Schroeder Dagogo review. He might have a future in webzine reviewing after all....
Shakey |
Believe me, if I put may name behind something, it is not a shill. My name and reputation are much more important than any manufacturer's product. This is, in fact, simply one of the most shocking revelations that I have had in over thirty five years experiencing an audiophile! I mis posted the first one and that is why two posts. See if you can borrow or try one of these mats for yourself. I think that you will be amazed. |
I consider Rob a friend and very knowledgeable. He owns a top flight system, two actually. If Rob recommends checking out the mat, for 200 bucks, it's a no-brainer. Just sayin' |
Congrats Cooper! You managed to use most, if not all, of the popular audiophile descriptive phrases and terminology in a singe post! Respectfully, your post comes across as a shill for this product. You have three posts on Audiogon and two are about this mat. So...just sayin. |
