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A review of the New Auric Illuminator Gel & Pen

post #1 of 31
8/23/04 at 8:13pm
Thread Starter 
John from Audience just informed me that 6 Moons review of the new formula Auric Illuminator and pen is out.
I've tried it and it really is an improvement over the older formula.
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post #2 of 31
8/24/04 at 7:41pm
I have used Auric Illuminator for some years with good, although not spectacular results. I don't know if my current lot, bought about 5 months ago is new and improved or not. One fault I have noted is that DVD's treated with Auric develope a haze after a few uses, CD's don't. It is somewhat hard getting the haze off, although I have found that using moisture from one's own breath, on the disc and then re-polishing with the supplied cloth gets it off. I agree that DVD's and CD's benefit.
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post #3 of 31
8/24/04 at 9:44pm
I'm curious, does it change the overall resolution the same way changing the ICs would, or is it more subtle than that? I never tried any type of tweak like that, and since it's not terribly expensive, I think I might try it (if it's worth it). But if it's one of those things that can only be heard through an ultra high end system, then count me out
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post #4 of 31
8/24/04 at 10:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by edstrelow
I don't know if my current lot, bought about 5 months ago is new and improved or not.
No, the new stuff just came out.
The new Gel is clear instead of blue and the pen is now a Staedtler Lumocolor.
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post #5 of 31
8/25/04 at 4:25am
Todd:

Am I correct to say that the new Auric Illuminator not only competes with Walker Audio's Vivid formula but it does not hold the same caveat of treating certain gold layered SA-CDs from a specific German pressing? In other words, the new Auric Illuminator should be safe to use with all types of 12cm optical discs regardless of format or pressing?

This is most intriguing. That and the CDi Blue Mat. You may be getting my business before the end of this year. In the meantime, I must continue working very hard and saving for my uber-expensive mods.
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post #6 of 31
8/25/04 at 8:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Welly Wu
Todd:

Am I correct to say that the new Auric Illuminator not only competes with Walker Audio's Vivid formula but it does not hold the same caveat of treating certain gold layered SA-CDs from a specific German pressing? In other words, the new Auric Illuminator should be safe to use with all types of 12cm optical discs regardless of format or pressing?
Welly,
That only applied to hybrid SACDs made by Sonopress made pior to May 03. From what I see, these disks warn against any topical treatment being applied. Disks made after that date should be OK.

Read the statement at the bottom of this page.
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post #7 of 31
8/25/04 at 10:39am
The improvement is subtle, but audible. The magnitude varies between records and probably also between CDPs. Bass lines becomes better defined and are easier to hear and soundstage is improved.

I think you must have a good system to really appreciate the effect, but I don't know how good. You can make a test by painting the edges of the CD with a pen with black permanent ink. If you hear a difference, you are in. If not, it is still possible that you will hear an improvement with AI because of the addtional surface treatment.

If you expect a huge difference and that AI in some mystical way will solve other problems with the system, you will be dissapointed.

The new formula for AI is good news!
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post #8 of 31
8/25/04 at 11:27am
*but honey, i got it to improve sight through my glasses. you want me to be able to SEE, don't you?*


Yes...my new argument...
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post #9 of 31
8/25/04 at 11:31am
Todd
I have 2,000+ Cds already treated with original Auric Illuminator......any instructions on how to apply new Auric to Cds that already have old Auric?

Do you have to remove old Auric first, or can you just apply new Auric?
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post #10 of 31
8/25/04 at 2:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkAngel
Todd
I have 2,000+ Cds already treated with original Auric Illuminator......any instructions on how to apply new Auric to Cds that already have old Auric?

Do you have to remove old Auric first, or can you just apply new Auric?
John at Audience tells me you can apply the new product over the old.

Personally, I think I got a little better results removing the old first on the few that I compared, but try it both ways and see if it's worth the effort. You needed something to do anyway didn't ya?

From the Audience web page: "Auric Illuminator gel may be removed with clear, cool water and one or two drops of Joy." (dishsoap)
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post #11 of 31
8/25/04 at 8:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anders
The improvement is subtle, but audible. The magnitude varies between records and probably also between CDPs.
That's what I found as well. I'd probably reverse the phrase to "audible, but subtle." Hey...were dealing with degrees of difference right?

I'll probably give it a try at some point but I'm not in a hurry. I wish Audience had prepared wee, mini sample kits good for 20 discs. I wonder what the logistics would be? Nightmarish or simple?

(fastest delivery ever? Spoke to John on the phone about cables 4:30pm, I have a knock on the door next day 10:30am!)
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post #12 of 31
8/29/04 at 2:38pm
I have some new clear gel Auric kits arriving any day now.

With my experience with 2,000+ CDs peviously, for me the easiest and least hassle way of using Auric is use gel only on Cd's music side and blacken only outside edge.

This simplified application gives you 90% of benefit, treats twice as many CDs with one kit, looks better less messy, and only takes 1/2 the time to apply.

I also use Herbies CD matt and often use Mapleshade Iconoclast de-stat device on CD before playing........Iconoclast works as good as Bedini Ultra for much less money.
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post #13 of 31
8/30/04 at 10:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkAngel
I have some new clear gel Auric kits arriving any day now.

With my experience with 2,000+ CDs peviously, for me the easiest and least hassle way of using Auric is use gel only on Cd's music side and blacken only outside edge.

This simplified application gives you 90% of benefit, treats twice as many CDs with one kit, looks better less messy, and only takes 1/2 the time to apply.

I also use Herbies CD matt and often use Mapleshade Iconoclast de-stat device on CD before playing........Iconoclast works as good as Bedini Ultra for much less money.
Ok got some AI-2 kits today.
The clear gel is thicker vs old blue gel, also noticed as I lightly applied the gel it foams/bubbles slightly.....so there is something new here. The new black pen is darker and more opaque vs old pen, this is good.

Now the new clear gel is a bit harder to completely buff out all haze residue, but don't rub too hard. Even the included AI-2 soft cloths will leave very fine micro scratches if you rub too hard, just lightly buff a bit longer with just enough pressure not to start scratching CD surface. After you experiment with a few CDs you will know the right pressure to buff.

Initial tests are very impressive, it does seem to noticeably improve CDs to a greater extent vs AI-1. AI-2 has got to be the most cost effective tweak of any I know for the audiophile, provides highest benefit/cost ratio of any tweak I have ever tried.

More impressions in a few days after I treat more CDs.

AI-2 treated CD with Herbies CD Mat is great combo!
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post #14 of 31
8/31/04 at 9:09am
Seems to be time to scrap my old, half used AI1 kit. Not because it is bad, but it seems better to get a new one instead of saving a few bucks. And the high quality cloths are still useful.
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post #15 of 31
8/31/04 at 9:37am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkAngel
Ok got some AI-2 kits today.
Now the new clear gel is a bit harder to completely buff out all haze residue, but don't rub too hard. Even the included AI-2 soft cloths will leave very fine micro scratches if you rub too hard, just lightly buff a bit longer with just enough pressure not to start scratching CD surface. After you experiment with a few CDs you will know the right pressure to buff.

Initial tests are very impressive, it does seem to noticeably improve CDs to a greater extent vs AI-1. AI-2 has got to be the most cost effective tweak of any I know for the audiophile, provides highest benefit/cost ratio of any tweak I have ever tried.

More impressions in a few days after I treat more CDs.

AI-2 treated CD with Herbies CD Mat is great combo!
If you have trouble buffing it off, wait for it to dry just a bit.

Got to agree....
The AI is the most cost effective thing you can use (.08-.10 per disk).

I got an E mail today from a guy who was telling me how great the new formula is on DVD's, I need to try it out tonight.
TR
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