As some of you know, I'm a sucker for CD treatments. I'm a firm believer in their efficacy. Anything that enables the laser to focus better on the disc should help sonics. In the last 8-10 months, I've blown through a number of treatments, including Walker Ultra Vivid, L'Art du Son, the new Auric Illuminator, ClearBit/ClearDisc/RealDisc, and lastly, my reference, Nanotec Systems' Intron 8500. The Nanotec was easily the best of the bunch--at least in my system and to my ears--possessing a level of clarity and dynamic punch that the others just couldn't match. Enter the newest contender: Jena Labs' new Esoteric 3D-X (short for "Three-Dimensional Expander"). Jena Labs, owned by Jennifer and Michael Crock, is a small operation based in Portland, Oregon. Known primarily for their line of astounding audio cables and power cords--my system is rigged exclusively with JL cables--Jena also specializes in modifying gear and has been known to build various components on a custom-order basis.
Jena's head designer, Jennifer Crock, came up with a very well regarded treatment years ago called Esoteric Mist. While it didn't rack HUGE sales numbers, it was wildly popular with audio cognoscenti--until the ingredients necessary for its manufacture ran out. Ever since then, Jennifer has been biding her time, watching as other CD treatments have come and went. Recently, dissatisfied with what she was hearing from other treatments, she decided to hop back aboard the CD-treatment bandwagon with Esoteric 3D-X.
The 3-DX that I received was an early production sample that didn't come with any boxing or instructions. As I understand it, production kits will be available in two weeks. The 3-DX most closely resembles Walker Audio's Vivid, now in its Ultra Vivid incarnation. Like the Walker, the 3-DX is cream-based. Its ingredients are proprietary, but Jennifer assures me that they're radically different than those used in the Walker--and in anything else, for that matter. It goes on with a washable foam applicator. It doesn't need more than 2-3 small drops to cover a whole disc--and the inside and outside edges (it does make a difference). Once applied, let dry for approximately 30 seconds and buff off. Easy as that. By the way, I prefer a good microfiber cloth to buff, rather than the supplied cloths. The microfiber just seems to leave a more even finish when buffing.
Comparisons and Methodology
I compared the Jena to the three treatments I had on hand at the time: the Walker Ultra Vivid, ClearBit/RealDisc, and Intron 8500. I burned multiple copies of several discs, applying a different treatment to each and then listening.
Vs. Ultra Vivid
Both the 3D-X and Ultra Vivid were almost identical in their application procedure. That's where all similarities ended, though. The Jena Labs was superior on pretty much all counts that mattered to me: dynamics, noise floor, resolution, bass weight. Images not only emerged from significantly darker bakgrounds--they almost seemed to "pop" out of silence, whereas with the Walker, they strolled--they were more cleanly defined and detailed. Low-level resolution was markedly better with the Jena. For example, on "Water of Love," from Dire Straits' debut, the noise of Mark Knopfler's fingers sliding up and down the strings was clearer with the Jena. Transients and cymbal strikes were much more defined, as well. Overall, the 3D-x gave a significantly clearer insight into the musical performance. But, lest you think the Jena lost the forest for the trees, it didn't. The presentattion, if anything, was smoother and more organic with the 3D-X. PRAT was also better.
vs. ClearBit/RealDisc
Of all the various permutations and combinations of George Louis's different potions, I always preferred two applications of RealDisc followed by ClearBit to the edges. (That said, I haven't heard the new UltraBit Gold.) In this comparison, again the clear edge went to the Jena.
On "Use Me Up," from Mick Jagger's excellent "Wandering Sirit" album, Mick's vocals were noticeably smoother and more "human" with the Jena, but with absolutely no loss of bite. Bass lines were weightier and easier to follow. Soundstaging and resolution were superior, as well. Little details in the mix came to life more readily with the 3-DX, such as the initial count-off on "Wired All Night."
And Now: The Heavyweights Face Off
I had a feeling that things would be closer when comparing the Jena with the Nanotec Intron 8500. And they were. Both are at the absolute pinnacle of CD treatments. Let's get the non-sonics out of the way first. The Intron was much easier to apply. Just spray on, wipe radially for a few seconds, and it disappears into the pits. Its only disadvantage is that you must be diligent in wiping it off. If it's left on the disc surface for more than 10-15 seconds, it dries to a residue and is impossible to remove. The Jena requires considerably more effort to get an even surface under bright light, but the hassle is worth it. And you don't have to worry about having to step away from the disc should the doorbell or phone interrupt you. Sonically, to my surprise, the Jena edged ahead of the Intron. These were not earth-shaking differences, mind you, but differences nonetheless. On Dire Straits' "Down to the Waterline," little effects in the mix at the beginning of the song were more audible with the 3-DX. Ditto with Knopfler's string action. On "Water of Love," the soundstage was wider, and the bass-drum thwacks at the beginning of the song were both more powerful and more cleanly defined. In the dynamics department, things were pretty even, with the slight edge probably going to the Jena. What ultimately swung me was how the 3-DX put meat on the sonic "bone." It made the Intron sound almost skeletal and lean by comparison. Harmonics had more color, and guitar strings, particularly on the Dire Straits disc, had considerably more texture. It was this more organic presentation that I noticed most consistenly. All total--and to my amazement--I preferred the Jena over the Nanotec.
You may remember that I waxed effusive about the Nanotec Intron 8500 not long ago. It's still my second-favorite CD treatment, and I'll keep a bottle around for emergencies. But the Jena Labs 3D-X is a product to be seriously reckoned with. Despite its somewhat more time-consuming nature, I consider it my new reference. After owning Jennifer's cables for as long as I have, I probably shouldn't have expected any different. This stuff is the new boss. |
