CD Mat-Do they work?

eclein · « **on:** 23 Mar 2010, 03:55 pm »

I just came upon a "CD Mat" in a catalog I was reading, never knew they existed, does anybody use them and do they work??
For those like me who never heard of these..apparently you place this mat on top of your cd's and then insert into player and it keeps the laser from shining thru the disk and improves sound. Learn something new everyday!!

drphoto · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 04:49 pm »

I think they dampen mechanical vibration as well.

jqp · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 05:01 pm »

They would also increase the mass of the CD on the transport spindle - what would be the effects?

And it's pretty hard to shine light through aluminum

eclein · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 05:20 pm »

The catalog (Musicdirect.com) has 3 versions from $39 up to $199...one is carbon fiber.
I just wonder how they work, or if they work??

DTB300 · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 05:26 pm »

Do they work is really up to each individual to determine in their own setup.

For me and my setup, yes, I like the improvement they offer, but each mat is different in its changes/results.

I have tried and used the "Black Hole" from Herbie's Audio (Circle here) and their earlier models. Now I am using the Formula Eight by FIM which I like better.

doug s. · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 05:44 pm »

i tried one a while back; cannot remember the brand. yes, it worked, my cd's still played...

doug s.

kip_ · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 05:52 pm »

It probably works just as well as outlining your discs with a green marker.

gerald porzio · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 05:54 pm »

One would think that if they made a difference, CD mfgs. would include them. Their cost would be pennies a mat.

eclein · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 06:02 pm »

kip_ so using a green marker helps?? I did notice that one of the mats is green...so if I take a CD and outline the edge with a green marker
it makes a sonic difference??

doug s. · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 06:22 pm »

Quote from: gerald porzio on 23 Mar 2010, 05:54 pm

One would think that if they made a difference, CD mfgs. would include them. Their cost would be pennies a mat.

except for the ones that cost $40 to $200. oh, wait - you said their cost, not what they sell for...

doug s.

Wayner · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 07:53 pm »

Oh goody, another CD edge treatment discussion.

Wayner

mca · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 08:21 pm »

Quote

Oh goody, another CD edge treatment discussion.

Wayner

Why don't you just pass on by then instead of making a comment...

Pez · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 08:22 pm »

Yes Wayner we are all aware you are against every tweak in the book.

I personally don't use them regardless of how they improve sound because I'm too lazy.

something about adding a step in-between grabbing the cd case, opening it (already sweating at this point PHEW!), taking the cd out, loading it.

gerald porzio · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 08:36 pm »

Wayner, you can omit the mat, provided you orient the CD label to Magnetic North.

Wayner · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 08:57 pm »

Quote from: Pez on 23 Mar 2010, 08:22 pm

Yes Wayner we are all aware you are against every tweak in the book.

Well, I'm not against every tweak, just the ones that don't work.

Wayner

Nuance · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 09:35 pm »

^ What he said. This is voodoo and snake oil, but hey, it's your money to burn.

Pez · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 09:36 pm »

So Wayner, you have tried CD mats?

Delta Wave · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 09:40 pm »

They should help with vibration dampening as well as increasing reflectivity on poorly manufactured disks. Those big chunks of aluminum (targets) they turn into plasma to create the reflective surface do wear out and need to be changed, sometimes the CDs made during the final days of said targets tend to have a thinner coat of metal. If you don't believe me then hold various CDs up to a light bulb and look through them, you'll see a variation from CD to CD. Also, "gold" CDs are just gold tinted aluminum. They're not real gold... they make absolutely no difference.

Wayner · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 09:42 pm »

Quote from: Pez on 23 Mar 2010, 09:36 pm

So Wayner, you have tried CD mats?

I don't dare on my Sony XA20ES as it has it's own aluminum CD clamp that fits over the CD (and the player won't play without it) and there really isn't any room to add anything, as that height addition my interfer with drawer closure. It really doesn't matter anyway, cause, I really don't know what these things are suppose to do, and really am not interested in them anyway. I did once try the green shit on the edge of the CD and then said, so what.

Wayner

mjosef · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Mar 2010, 09:45 pm »

Hey we are 'audiophiles' we don't need to try something to pronounce judgment on said product.