Optrix equivalent 'home brew' and mains cable resources

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zega5508

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Hi everybody

Optrix (see audiocandy) is an excellent cleaner of cd's. The principle is that it removes manufacturing residues which are not removed after the disc is pressed.

Bottle says isopropyl alcohol and optically active nonionic surfacants. Has anyone created an equivalent and what are your ingredients? Costs? Sources?

Part 2
Double shielded mains cable. Has anyone found a UK based source that will sell off the reel ie less than 10 metres? Any european sources that won't have import duty. I've found all the Belden USA based stuff but understand import duty is huge.

Belden equivalents anyone - Know Lapp?

Cheers zega5508
 
At the risk of going against the current rational on this forum....

yep those mains cables will be audibly better than the standard kettle lead.

pm me if your interested in lapp
 
theres all sorts to clean cds with.

have used anti static photocopier cleaning fluid (seems to do a great job), and failing that even window cleaner.

Doesn't seem to require special items to me.

On mains cables, if you're buying a couple of metres from someone with a reel that's a nice cheap way to try something. Why not give it a go if you feel like it.

You might find a few sparkies here or on sites dedicated to recording music who can give you a few metres of something for a pittance.
 
Haven't found anything to better washing up liquid under a running tap to clean CDs. Works for me.

I made up a load of screened mains leads but stopped using them because they were too bulky and heavy. Didn't notice any significant change in sound.
 
Thanks all

Will try and find some photocopier cleaning fluid. I think it was Rob Schofield had created his own caig like rca cleaner? This was a blend of all sorts of things.

Mould release agent was the key with the optrix - it takes off what is left on the disc during manufacture. So I'm not talking about finger prints here.

Double shielding works on mains cables + earthing the shield - likewise on interconnects.

zega5508
 
As an experiment ...build two identical ic 's shield one and ground at the source end ..leave the other un shielded ....

listen and report back which sounds best !

A number of people have been rather surprised by the outcome.

Cd cleaners ...try a drop of surfactant or a wetting agent[used in film processing] in distilled water ..this is gentler than detergent.
 
zega5508 said:
Hi everybody

Optrix (see audiocandy) is an excellent cleaner of cd's. The principle is that it removes manufacturing residues which are not removed after the disc is pressed.

Bottle says isopropyl alcohol and optically active nonionic surfacants. Has anyone created an equivalent and what are your ingredients? Costs? Sources?

Cheers zega5508
Click to expand...

IPA is a general purpose chemical solvent. Manufacturers sell it by the 20 tonne truck load but you can buy 5 litres for a tenner on eBay. You can also use for many purposes such as de-icing your locks and windscreens, and its probably in your windscreen wash already - should you wish to use that for washing CDs. Nonionic surfactant is like detergent, it mixes with water and oil: it's job here is probably to allow the solvent to spread evenly over the surface and prevent the solvent beading up.

I never tried cleaning a CD, can you hear a difference afterwards?

Tony
 
demandcurve said:
IPA is a general purpose chemical solvent. Manufacturers sell it by the 20 tonne truck load but you can buy 5 litres for a tenner on eBay. You can also use for many purposes such as de-icing your locks and windscreens, and its probably in your windscreen wash already - should you wish to use that for washing CDs. Nonionic surfactant is like detergent, it mixes with water and oil: it's job here is probably to allow the solvent to spread evenly over the surface and prevent the solvent beading up.

I never tried cleaning a CD, can you hear a difference afterwards?

Tony
Click to expand...

Certainly can if its especially grubby with fingerprints and such. Clean one and see if you can and let us know.
 
Same here :D I have nonionic pants for this purpose!






Sometimes I wipe it on my cat, but this is not as good sonicly.
 
For the shining wits above - you are missing out! I guarantee you will here the difference if you strip off the remaining manufacturing residue.

Fairly simple test really - play it dirty-clean it and listen.

I've created a blend from some leftover contact lens hydrogen peroxide solution, some normal Renu lens solution, some good old Bells Scotch Whisky (40% alcohol) and domestos spray bleach.

You will read that some sacd manufacturers do not recommend surface cleaning with chemicals - so don't.

You can breath on them all you want but it won't take off the manufacturing gunk.

Try a dab of neat spirits - you will be surprised. You can always breath on it and shine it on your cat afterwards - or was that your nonionic trousers.

Zega 5508
 

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