Tonya:
If I may pop in here with my tu'ppence worth . . .
One of my favourite CD transports I've used for years is an old Sony (model # escapes me now, it's long gone) that requires you to place a rather large metal "puck" on the drive spindle after loading a disc.
The guy from Sony explained that this set up reduced the vibration while the disc is spinning and thereby reduces the amount of error correction used (almost no discs are 100% digitally perfect).
Less error correction means a truer reproduction of the data.
It did sound better and there is a clear scientific correalation as to why it did.
A few years ago I seem to remember some product that was basically a thick black marker pen that required you to deface the label side of your CD to prevent the laser beam from scattering and causing read errors in the playback.
Gave it a try but no difference probably due to the extremely tight focus of said laser in the transport.
Around the same time, there was also a CD mat around similar to the one mentioned above and although marginal, there was a sound difference to be heard although not astonishingly different.
However, I am an old school engineer who believes that while analogue signal cables DO obviously make a difference, well made digital cables do not, neither do mains cables (I have yet to hear a difference in the set up I use anyway).
But I must admit there is something about CD mats that does indeed influence the data coming off the transport electronics and thereby influencing the audio.
If you get the chance to audition such mats, I suggest you try and you may be surprised.
Hi,
Interested to hear of the metal puck you mentioned with the old Sony, Naim Audio use a similar device on their CDP's, but not sure what it's made of, some lightweight plastic with a magnet imbedded inside which holds the CD firmly in place.
Sugden A21L amp, Naim CD5XS CDP, Chord Cobra3 i.c. ProAc Studio 130 speakers.