Too much money...........
I had previously heard
the benefits of this device at a local listening
session. Undeniably increased volume and detail
resolution were delivered to 'treated' discs. Strange
but true, even to a couple of skeptics who were
immediately concerned that one of these was a must
have, with the resultant financial impact.
The system is relatively easy to use although I won't
try it on my rare MFSL discs until I get REALLY
confident. A clamp is removed from the spindle, the
disc placed on the turntable label side down, the
puck and clamp re-engaged, then the device can be
turned on and the cutting arm applied to the disc
edge until the rough surfaces are 'trimmed' and the
discs spins relatively evenly. A marking pen is then
applied to the newly cut edge to further minimise
refractions. And there is a hole in the rear (!) for
the insertion (!!) of a vacuum cleaner nozzle (!!!)
to clear away the nasty off-cuts. Those funky
Germans, they think of everything. No, I am not
making any of this this up!
Being brave (!), I initially tested the device on a
computer-burnt copy of the excellent Aaron Neville
disc 'Bring it on Home'. When the cutting arm was
applied to the (admittedly) commodity disc, the
amount of detritus flowing off the edge of the disc
(remember it was my first test!) was downright scary.
How did it sound? Well, again when I listened to the
'A' sample, I thought the burnt copy was not nearly
as good as the original. Flatter and lacking in
emotion were my instincts. After the application of
the CD Sound Improver there were noticeable
improvements. More volume / gain sure, but greater
depth and separation and a lot closer to the
'original' or real disc. My confidence is still not
up enough to try it on a commercial disc. Yet.
Replacement cutting blades are available and the box
is extremely sturdy and heavy so I will refrain from
putting it on cones or plugging it in to a
conditioned outlet........... But perhaps a power
cord upgrade. Hmmmmm.
Ain't life grand!