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Does Anyone remember

I'm almost cringing as I write this, knowing that any mention of a tweek, and it's "effect" is met with doubt or even boredom. Still, even though there may only be a few readers who can, or may have already tried this, I must continue.
I have been using a Pioneer PD S95 transport for about 7 years (great piece, look it up). It features the best version of Pioneer's rigid clamping system that is known to many, but no longer produced. It was a good idea. Clamp the CD so that it wouldn't rattle while it was spinning. The CD is inserted upside-down on these players, and the label side rests on a rubber pad atop a machined aluminum platter.
Anyway, it's the only high end transport I have ever had, so I can't compare it to others, but I have been very satisfied with it, and combined with an Audio Note 1x dac, it has been far superior to previous players I had owned.
To the point. Before owning the stable platter transport, I had used a product (no longer available) called Reference Bands. I forget who made them, but they were basically a stretchable circular black band that you placed around the outside edge of a CD. They were easily removeable. To me, the "pulled together" the sound of the music, making it sound deeper, and more nuanced. After I bought the Pioneer, I threw them out, as I believed that they were redundant. Then, last week, I pulled out a CD that I hadn't played in years, and there was a band on it. Long story a bit longer, I found that on disc after disc, the band in combination with the stable platter sounded obviously different, and after further listening, obviously better.
If anyone out there remembers the bands for better or worse, or has tried what I have, I would be interested in your thoughts.
The whole thing sounds so counter intuitive, but this has been my experience. I am using it all of the time now for critical listening.
128x128roxy54

Showing 5 responses by roxy54

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roxy54 OP
7,652 posts
 
Well, c'mon Elizabeth, give it a try for me, and tell me what your thinking is about them all these years later.
I'm also just remembering that I used to use those wide flat circles that used to cement right on to the disc, might have been Audioquest as well. I ruined a couple of CDs trying to get them off. I was removing them because the added thickness caused them to get stuck in my car CD player. I had the issue once of the band stopping the music at the end of a CD. It was Derek and the Dominoes (a double album on 1 CD).
I am wondering if the positive effect I am hearing is related to the blackening of the transparent edge of the CD, which is basically what the CD Stoplight pen did.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54 OP
7,652 posts
 
Thanks Ghostrider, I will look into that.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54 OP
7,652 posts
 
I used a PD65 CD player for several years before the current PDS 95 transport and Audio Note DAC. It was truly an excellent player.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54 OP
7,652 posts
 
Zeal,
Thanks for the information, I never knew that Theta had used it. Very interesting.

Audioengr,
Thanks for the info/advice. Someone else on a thread had suggested that I add a digital lens. I am sure a reclocker would be a good thing. Can that just be added internally? What do you think the cost would be? (ball park)
roxy54's avatar
roxy54 OP
7,652 posts
 
Sunnyjim,
I think they were made by Audioquest, and it was more than 15 years ago. I still have a couple of dozen CDs with them. I tried taking them off, and actually peeled off the aluminum layer on one of my discs where the cement was. It is better to leave them on. The reference bands that stretched on round the perimeter were better, and removeable.
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