O.Sydney Posted September 1, 2013 Posted September 1, 2013 The September 2013 meeting of the Sydney Audio Club sees us once again at Dence Park for an afternoon of fine music and sound and convivial company.Each month, the Sydney Audio Club presents the finest in high end audio systems for our members and guests. It's a bit like a private audio show once a month where you can hear and discuss equipment that you might not otherwise have the chance to audition. And you can bring along your own music to test the capabilities of the system or to just share with like-minded music lovers in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. This month we will feature a complete system from Sydney HiFi Castle Hill (refer to http://www.castlehillhifi.com.au/), courtesy of consultants Goran Sasic and Michael Bigley plus Chris Strom from distributor Radiance AV (refer to Unison Research Unico Primo amp (http://www.castlehillhifi.com.au/prod829.htm). 80wpc, 1 x ECC83 (12AX7) in input stage, MOSFET output stage. Unison Research Unico Primo CD (http://www.castlehillhifi.com.au/prod880.htm). Large toroidal power supply transformer. Wolfson MicroWM 852424-bit DAC. Isochronous 16bit / 32-48kHz (USB B input. The audio stage is designed around a single 12AU7/ECC82 double triode operating in pure class A. Funk Firm LSD turntable with 2M Bronze cartridge (http://www.castlehillhifi.com.au/prod1989.htm). Stabilises the platter using Funk's unique three-pulley Vector Drive. Has Funk's new F5 tonearm (http://www.thefunkfirm.co.uk/arms/F5.html). Audio Physic Classic 30 speakers (http://www.castlehillhifi.com.au/prod1986.htm). The Classic 30 is the flagship of the AudioPhysic Classic range. Elaborate and extremely stiff cabinets, constructed from three layers with different resonant behaviour characteristics. Integrated bass unit contains two powerful 7" woofers that are mounted opposite each other in slightly offset positions into the base of the cabinet. 1.2" soft dome for high frequencies. Top-quality nextgenTM connectors from WBT as standard. Analysis plus interconnects and speaker cables (http://www.castlehillhifi.com.au/category178_1.htm). The second half of the music sessions will be our popular BYO. Members and guests are welcome to offer music to share with us all. So bring along your favourite music on CD or vinyl (sorry, we will not be able to play flash drives this month). All we ask is that the music and recordings be interesting. We'll ask you to tell us a little about the artist/recording before it is played. Tracks over 6 minutes will be faded out, to give everyone a fair go.Whether you are a novice or a seasoned veteran, you will have the opportunity to listen, learn and share your experiences with others of a similar mind.Members and guests welcome – we are a very friendly club so you don't need to know anyone to join us for an afternoon of fine music and sound. We will welcome you at the door.Venue: Epping Creative CentreAddress: 26 Stanley St, Epping When: Sunday 8th September 2013 Doors open 1pmMeeting starts at 2pm Best regards, Tom Waters President Sydney Audio Club www.sydneyaudioclub.org.au tomwaters@sydneyaudioclub.org.au On behalf of Tom and the Sydney Audio club Inc.O.Sydney
chefscuba70 Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Another reason to join us for the day is there will be a demonstration of the CD Improver. Goran will show us how quick and easy this device is to use by shaving a disc and of course playing a track from the disc before and then after the disc has been bevelled so we can all hear what improvement there is from doing so. Unsure or suspicious whether this tweak makes any difference, come check it out and hear for yourself.
chefscuba70 Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Yes I've heard this from a few people who have damaged a disc or two but that's usually from rushing the job. I've heard the improvement it makes on one of my own cd's but not seen the procedure so should be interesting to watch, though it seems straight forward enough. If I can hear the difference on a lower priced system and from ripping the disc to play off a server, then I will consider buying one.
Guest guru Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 start saving. I've used one for years and have tight arsed clients bring me cd's to shave constantly.
ArthurDent Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 Another reason to join us for the day is there will be a demonstration of the CD Improver. Goran will show us how quick and easy this device is to use by shaving a disc and of course playing a track from the disc before and then after the disc has been bevelled so we can all hear what improvement there is from doing so. Unsure or suspicious whether this tweak makes any difference, come check it out and hear for yourself. This is of course the wrong way to do such a comparison as having attended a few along these lines (devices and tricks to improve a CDs playback), the majority of people will just about always hear an improvement on the second playing of the modified disk.
chefscuba70 Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 Fair point Ken, so then what we are better off doing is to have 2 cd's of the same artist, one shaved and the other not and play both cd's without anyone knowing which disc is playing and see whether disc A or disc B is preferred. Also to prove there is no voodoo or that one disc is a better pressing than the other, we'll ask a member to volunteer one of their cd's to play before and after the shave and get opinions also. Of course no testing is full proof when comparing such tweaks and some will have all sorts of variables and control methods to explain the difference, if any are heard, but it's just a bit of fun in the end and people can come to their own conclusions to its worth. 1
chefscuba70 Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 I've used one for years and have tight arsed clients bring me cd's to shave constantly. I hope you charge them per disc.
Guest guru Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 I hope you charge them per disc. No charge, just keeps them coming back and looking at new toys to play with. Cheers.
chefscuba70 Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 If you can make a good coffee, I might have to call 'round to look at some new toys.......... and bring some discs
Guest guru Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 Bravo supreme, fresh ground, if you like strong coffee, no problems.
O.Sydney Posted September 6, 2013 Author Posted September 6, 2013 Here's some visual goodness for tomorrow catch up
fuzzboy Posted September 8, 2013 Posted September 8, 2013 Thanks guys for the warm welcome with my first meeting, had a great time. In respect to the CD improver, my brain wanted to deny it but my ears couldn't. Uncanny. See you all next time. Mike 1
ferchersan Posted September 8, 2013 Posted September 8, 2013 Thank you guys for an enjoyable afternoon of fine music and good company. The CD Improver amazed me too. I just wonder when the CD manufacturers will catch on? See you again soon. Cheers, Leigh 1
chefscuba70 Posted September 9, 2013 Posted September 9, 2013 Hi Mike and Leigh, I'm glad you guys enjoyed the meeting. It's always great to have new faces attend and have fun. Yes the CD Improver was certainly the topic of discussions. In a more controlled environment the difference is more obvious as I've heard less edginess and better focus from shaved cd's on very expensive systems to low priced systems and the best benefit for me is it reduces that annoying digital glare giving a more natural sound. Having the discs manufactured this way would seem to be the most logical step or even to simply colour the edges would help. Their excuse will be that it will become a safety issue when they are thrown like Frisbees and stick into someone's neck. So shaving your discs would make them a handy home security tool too :ph34r:. 1
masterpaul Posted September 26, 2013 Posted September 26, 2013 (edited) This is what is removed by the CD Improver. There are flecks of aluminium in this swarf, which suggests the lacquer seal of the label side of the disc has been broken. Q : Will this accelerate oxidisation and cause the disc to fail ? Edited September 26, 2013 by masterpaul
chefscuba70 Posted September 26, 2013 Posted September 26, 2013 Hi masterpaul, from my understanding the shaved edge does not go so far as to damage any of the important layers of the disc and the angle created is on the underside not the label side. It may be that the disc was shaved upside down or to far, which would mean the blade is not calibrated correctly as it should only allow you to go so far to create the edge and then go no further. I can ask Goran next time I see him or maybe guru can explain as he is regularly grinding the wheel.
Krispy Audio Posted September 26, 2013 Posted September 26, 2013 When someone did a disc for me, they ran a pen around the edge which I assume was to seal it. Is that the standard procedure?
Willco Posted September 26, 2013 Posted September 26, 2013 (edited) Blimey thats as much as i'd get after 12 or so discs!--The blade is obviously set wrong to shave that much off the Discs--you need to check the setup blank that comes with the Unit-it should only do approx 6/10ths the edge leaving a slight flat area --the CD is not finished with a "sharp" fine edge Yes then the Black pen is applied , motor on sloooow for this. Don't know about the sealing bit--more to do with the Laser bounce maybe? Willco Edited September 26, 2013 by Willco
masterpaul Posted September 26, 2013 Posted September 26, 2013 Hi masterpaul, from my understanding the shaved edge does not go so far as to damage any of the important layers of the disc and the angle created is on the underside not the label side. It may be that the disc was shaved upside down or to far, which would mean the blade is not calibrated correctly as it should only allow you to go so far to create the edge and then go no further. I can ask Goran next time I see him or maybe guru can explain as he is regularly grinding the wheel. There is also the issue of CDRs, which are not solid polycarbonate but a 'sandwich' of two layers with dye in between. What happens here when the edge is bevelled ? I also don't believe any marker pen would be sufficient to prevent air getting at the sputtered aluminium layer.
Recommended Posts