CD Tweaks and Longterm Damage

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Jes45, Were Vivid or Audiotop in the group of products that you sent off to your friend for analysis ?
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I had found Walker's Vivid to be the best of what I had tried until today when I tried using a new product in the market called Audiotop. A friend and I did some blind tests today and the Audiotop surpassed the Vivid's performance.
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I have not tried Shine Ola, but will get some and do some comparisons.
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Thanks for your detailed comments. Very interesting.
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Albert, Have you compared Vivid and Shine Ola and have you tried the Audiotop product ?
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Rgds, Larry
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Cello,

I believe that Tom tested Audiotop also, but I'm not 100%certain. I know that if he did, he didn't get it from me, nor anyone from my group. (He had 3 friends give him products). If it is important to you, I can ask.

If I'm not mistaken, we tested everything available, even a few that aren't available anymore, like Jena Labs.

My purpose of my post wasn't to brag on one particular product. To me, it was important to share the info that our friend with all of the test equipment found. He has chosen to stay nameless because he conducted these tests at work, using their equipment and on company time. One positive is that he has found a cleaner that helps him send a low BLER data disc that will not have long term detriment. Maybe he should put in for a raise?

The bottom line is that if Audiotop is free of petroleum distillates, doesn't contain a wax or a substance that will leave a film and doesn't leave scratches, it is likely safe. Shine Ola comes from a reputable company that has been around for while, Record Research Lab. It also comes with a 3M micro fiber cloth that does not scratch the disc surface at all, unlike other supplied cloths.

Yioryos, I've been getting mine at Red Trumpet. I got my last bottle at half price. They have a special, buy $30 worth of records or CD's and you can buy RRL products at a discount. (www.redtrumpet.com or give them a call.)

I hope this helped ...

Albert, Have you compared Vivid and Shine Ola and have you tried the Audiotop product ? Rgds, Larry

Yes Larry I have three or four different ones here including Vivid and RR. Both of these manufacturers are friends of mine so I hate having to make a direct comparison. Shine Ola is my favorite.

I believe Vivid is wax, but don't know for certain. Have not tried Audiotop.

I just wanted to pass along my experiences. I purhased a bottle of SHINE OLA (great name) and have found that the surface of my CDs, SACDs, and DVDs seem very clear. They also have improved the audio and video quality dramatically. I have not tried everything out there, but of the ones I have tried, this has given me the best results.

Back to the ph question. :-)

Granting that the Armorall problems have nothing to do with ph, that still leaves the question whether or not a substance with a non-neutral ph would harm CDs over time (lets say 20 years for the sake of argument). Does anyone know?

Cello: Did you test the original version of Auric Illuminator or the new & improved version that recently came out?