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Taming edge from remastered CDs?

It seems a common trait in my system that re-mastered CDs have better resolution and spatial information (e.g., 2003 Rhino "Fragile" by Yes) but seem sort of edgy and a little hard sounding. No such problem w/regular CDs or vinyl. I've been thinking about an equalizer to use for listening to only such recordings. Just tame the upper frequencies a little. Any suggestions? System is Cyber 800SE monoblocks, Consonance Ref 50 Preamp, David Schulte mod'd. Denon 2910, KAB mod'd Technics w/Heed Quasar Phono-pre. Acoustic treatments in use. Again, issue is with a minor segment of the listening I do.
ghosthouse
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"It has to do with some sand paper and a black magic marker that you use on your cd's!I tried it and it works pretty awesome!!."

You would get better results if you rewrote the CD on CDROM from a .wav file ripped using dbpoweramp on a PC. Use Mitsui Gold Audio Master CDROM disks and clean with with a a good conditioner before burning them. Use a plextor drive on 1X speed.

Even after all of this however, it will still not be as good as just playing back the .wav file using a good USB converter from a Mac Mini. Been there and done that. Seems like a lot of trouble just to try to salvage an aging technology. I have not had a CD transport in my rack for probably 5 years.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
ivan_nosnibor's avatar
ivan_nosnibor
782 posts
 
Audioengr, thanks for tip on the Mac Mini, I've been stumped so far as to the Onkyo's replacement. Don't want to hijack the thread, but, which Mini would be best? (Somewhat unfamiliar with the computer end of things).
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Ivan - I have tried several minis, including the Mach2music when they were around. The best I have found is the late 2009 with AC adapter:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/recommended-systems

http://eshop.macsales.com/Descriptions/specs/Framework.cfm?page=macminilate09.html

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse OP
3,718 posts
 
Audioengr - Mind translating into words of one syllable for the digital ignorant?

"playing back the .wav file using a good USB converter from a Mac Mini."

OK - I know I can copy a CD onto my computer's hard drive as a .wav file. What's a USB converter? Do you mean computer USB out to DAC to pre-amp? Why a Mac Mini, and in particular a 2009 version? Will no other PC, Laptop or Netbook work?

Thanks in advance.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
What's a USB converter?

Small box that converts USB to S/PDIF, AES/EBU, I2S etc.. Have you heard of Off-Ramp, HiFace, Audiophilleo?

Do you mean computer USB out to DAC to pre-amp?

I dont like active preamps. They ruin most audio systems.

I prefer computer to USB converter to DAC to amps or computer to USB DAC to amps.

Why a Mac Mini, and in particular a 2009 version?

Because I have tested other Macs and PCs. 2009 mini seems to deliver the best SQ. Better than 2011 or 2012 mini. Macbook pro is also good. Specific versions of Amarra are excellent with itunes as a player. This is all explained on my forum and webpage.

Will no other PC, Laptop or Netbook work?

Netbooks dont have good USB ports or enough FSB bandwidth. Some PCs are okay, if you use Jplay for the player with Foobar2000 etc.. Even on the Mac Mini, only one specific USB port is excellent. The others are not as good.

Good USB cable is required and common-mode USB filter also helps.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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