Cue & Review Audio Magazine
Below are links to audio
captures of a review of the Statmat CDi Blue from
Cue &
Review Audio Magazine. We have provided three levels of quality,
and thereby file sizes. The lowest quality is aimed at modem users
and both subsequent files are for ISDN\Broadband or higher users.
The files are Windows Media Audio format (WMA) and can be played
through Windows Media Player 7 and higher, or through another
appropriate media player. It should be noted that compression is
particularly high at the lowest quality and this is of course not
representative of the improvement in audio quality that can be
gained from the Statmat CDi Blue. Please click on a link below to
hear the review.
LOW - Modem Users (1.16MB)
MEDIUM - ISDN\Broadband or higher (2.53MB)
HIGH - ISDN\Broadband or higher (6.68MB)
N.B.
If you have a low bandwidth web
connection (i.e. modem connection) it may be advisable to download
one the files to your hard drive by right clicking over the link and
selecting Save Target As... This will enable you to download
the file, once on your hard drive it can be played back through your
media player by double clicking on the file.
Hocus-pocus
hi-fi - CD Statmat CDi Blue
The
latest, improved version of the puzzling CD Statmat tweak I last saw
two years ago and raved about, is known as the Statmat CDi Blue, and
like the first model, it’s been designed to address the build-up
of static inside a CD player that can muddy the sound and blur
detail. However, instead of a single-layered piece of film, the CDi
Blue consists of two mirror-image film discs, fixed at 90 degrees on
either side of a blue polyester substrate.
The
mysterious cut-outs and conductive ink patterns are still in place,
but the CDi Blue is thicker and therefore easier to handle. It’s
still placed on top of the CD, with the correct side facing upwards,
before the CD player’s transport drawer is closed.
My
enthusiasm for the Statmat is a matter of record. But the CDi Blue
takes the sonic benefits a further step forward, providing levels of
improvement which are very difficult to equate with the seemingly
low-tech device itself.
The
sonic traits between the two are similar - more weight and
authority, enhanced resolution, greater realism - but the impact of
the CDi Blue is simply more concentrated, more marked than its
single-layer stablemate. Tonally, the bass certainly gained further
in depth and impetus, while pace and control consistently scored
higher marks, too.
The
CDi Blue was also more effective at unravelling complex passages,
introducing a crystal quality to pieces that were less than distinct
before. Most importantly, though, the cohesion and musical integrity
of the performances benefited throughout.
This
time round, one of the biggest surprises was the impact on visual
quality. DVD images appeared smoother and better resolved, with a
broader range of tonal hues and sharply focused detail. Shadow
detail also benefited, while tonal richness was achieved without any
over-saturation.
Thanks
to an ever-weakening Rand, the CD Statmat CDi Blue doesn’t come
cheap. But when measured against the improvements achieved, the
value factor becomes the final, clinching reason for purchase. That
it works equally well in DVD and CD players means that, now,
you’ll have to buy two!
VERDICT
Strange-but-true device tweaks CD playback to quite brilliant
levels. This latest version even better than the original.
Deon
Schoeman, Audio Video South
Africa,
April 2002
Extracts
from First UK review of CDi Blue Statmat
AUDIO
SMORGASBORD
Kind
Of Blue
The Statmat Reincarnate
The
Statmat has long been a favourite accessory amongst the Plus
reviewing staff.
I use one; DA uses one; JMH uses one; DD uses one.
Even Simon the photographer uses one.
The effects are far from subtle and entirely positive, even
if the explanation for them is far from clear. ...
The
standard Statmat adds so much weight, space, focus and low level
detail to the music that it sounds hopelessly anaemic and plasticy
without it.
Using ‘Tenderness On The Block’ as an example (Shawn
Colvin Fat City Columbia
CK 47122) the finger snaps and tambourine that open the track have
far more body and detail, while the guitars and voice are far more
solid, weighty and rounded.
The sense of space between the instruments and overall focus
are massively improved.
It’s exactly the sort of richness and resolution that so
many listeners love about a decent record player.
Moving
up to the Blue Statmat the improvement over the standard version is
more subtle but in many respects more fundamental. ... because less
of the improvement is tonal and has more to do with spatial
coherence and resolution.
The instruments and soundstage now move completely free of
the speakers, each image being significantly better proportioned and
far more precisely located in the depth plane.
That might not sound like much but listen to a few discs,
revert to the standard version and see if you want to live with the
lack of solidity and musical coherence that results.
...
the CDi Blue delivers full value and is just as highly
recommended as the original.
Roy
Gregory, hi-fi+,
Issue 15, Jan/Feb 2002
impressions
CD
STATMAT MkII CDi
Magical?
Ringmat
Developments will be known to many turntable users, including
myself, who have found the company’s unusual sonic enhancement kit
for turntables both effective and quite miraculous in terms of
opening up the soundstage, reducing the noise floor and lifting out
detail.
Now
there’s a product for CD players and transports, too.
The CD Statmat is probably the most unlikely upgrade you’ll
ever consider for your CD player – until you try it, and hear just
what this little device can do.
Packaged
in a cardboard sleeve similar in size to a CD jewel box, the CD
Statmat is nothing more than a CD sized, thin piece of vinyl film
with some black patterns and cut outs.
It’s placed on the top of the disc itself, with the
patterns located in a specific configuration, where it remains once
the drawer is closed and playback commences.
Ringmat
Developments says that the CD Statmat controls electrostatic
interference by dispersing low voltage hot spots which usually build
up during playback, thus providing a clearer sonic picture.
Yes, I was also rather sceptical, but like a good reviewer
went about conducting a series of comparisons.
Does
it work? Yes,
undoubtedly. On one of
my favourite demo discs, Roger Waters’ Amused to Death, the
already abundant details became clearer and better defined, while
staging appeared to be more generous and better dimensioned than
before. Tonally, the
lower frequencies appeared to benefit most, with added oomph and
thrust to the equation.
Most
importantly, however, the music was more communicative and more
involving, which in the case of this disc’s quite complex
recording allowed a substantially enhanced listening experience.
The
only negative comment is a practical one;
handling the flimsy Statmat requires care, and it needs to
flattened between the pages of a thick book on a regular basis to
ensure that it doesn’t become stuck in the innards of the CD
player.
For
the rest, the results are pure magic.
Whether you believe in the theory behind it or not, approach
this unusual tweak with an open mind, and enjoy the difference it
makes!
Deon
Schoeman, Audio Video South
Africa, September 2000
The
Charge Of The Static Brigade
"Barking mad? Well that certainly how I felt
when I embarked on this little comparative test, but perhaps I
should start from the beginning.
It all began when I was visiting the Vienna High-end
'99 show. During the course of a system demonstration by Phonosophie,
I was surprised to find that the sound of the system was much
enhanced after the disc was placed under a running water tap and
then dried. ... At this stage I should point out that I had no idea
until after I had heard the improvements what it was that had
actually been done to the system, or rather the disc. ... Later
experimentation at home showed this effect to be demonstrable to
others. ... it's clear that the whole issue of CD static deserves
looking at. A quick conflab with 'R Ed' and we had a plan of action;
get together a number of anti-static products and see what their
effect would be, singly and cumulatively. ...
What quickly became apparent was that all of the
products produced the same effects as described in last issue's
review, albeit to varying degrees - presumably reflecting their
effectiveness. There was a clear pecking order, and some of the
products produced a cumulative effect when used together. Water had
the least and shortest overall effect. Next came the Zerostat,
followed by ECO 3. The clear winner was the Statmat. ... in the
sound for pound equation I don't think I've come across anything
better."
Also see this TNT article.
Dave Ayers, Hi-Fi+,
April/May 2000
Audio
Smorgasbord
"Feeling extremely cruel, I first tried 'Selling Jesus' by
Skunk Anansie from their first album. This is an extremely loud,
almost thrash metal track with lots of heavy guitars. I've been
quite disappointed with the rhythmic reproduction of this track
recently. The emphasis is supposed to be heavily on the first beat
of the bar, but it just wasn't happening. Using the Statmat really
set things to rights, and the effect wasn't subtle.
Moving on to ... the Peter Hammill album This.. Once
again, using the mat improved the sound in a number of ways,
especially in terms of the attack of the piano notes. ... With the
mat in play the weighting of the notes was far clearer and each
hammer hit with a clean true tone. Both impact and decay were much
more natural, and Hammill's tonal inflections were also greatly
improved. ... Without the mat, the struck notes sounded like they
were distorting through my system, but with the mat not only was
this effect almost totally removed, but also you could discern the
remaining piano strings 'singing along' with the played note -
fascinating.
Despite all the above, the biggest difference I heard was when
listening to the Richard Thompson album Mock Tudor reviewed
last month. ... With the mat added to the system the soundstage
instantly grew in depth and width, and the bass became deeper and
clearer. The shape and the tone of the various guitars became much
easier to determine, and the sibilance on Thompson's voice was much
more natural, and the overall rhythm became much more coherent. On
this track the differences with and without the mat were so easy to
hear that I couldn't believe it."
Postscript
In the next issue of Hi-Fi+, the following postscript was
added:
"What I didn't mention in the original article is that I use
a Trichord CD transport and DAC, and that the transport is based on
one of the Pioneer models, complete with stable mechanism. This type
of mechanism is like a CD sized turntable, on which the CD sits,
silver side up, and is read from above. In this type of player the
Statmat sits upside down on the platter, sandwiched between it and
the CD. I had no chance to try it out on a conventional mechanism,
but since then 'R Ed' has experimented further, and discovered that
the effect is as great if not greater in conventional
transports."
Dave Ayers, Hi-Fi+,
Feb/March 2000
STATMAT
MkII
First
Review of Statmat in Denmark
Appearances
are deceptive...
We
have tested the Statmat, a surprising CD accessory, the price of
which seems unreasonable in relation its looks, but appearances are
deceptive...
The
first thought that comes to mind, when you first come across a
Statmat, is that this must be a genuine hi-fi swindle.
At least, that was my thought as I unpacked and held it in my
hand, having ordered one from England and duly paid by credit card.
The fact is that the Statmat is a piece of circular plastic film
with small holes and sprayed with special conductive ink.
It weighs 0.3 gram, so you have to be careful not to crease
it.
In
short, I was very sceptical as I placed it on a CD and started
listening. But honestly, my scepticism was soon put to shame,
because it keeps all its promises, and more.
Static
How
does it work? Well, according to the producers, Ringmat
Developments, a lot of static builds up when you play a CD, which
sounds plausible, as a CD rotates with up to 600 rotations per
minute in a closed space.
Because of this, static builds up, which, according to the
producer, ‘may cause up to 180 degrees of phase shift at certain
frequencies, which is damaging to the sound.” In our opinion, it
is quite unlikely that this explanation is scientifically valid, but
this is totally unimportant anyway, as long as the Statmat works.
The funny thing is, you see, that you hear the positive effect right
from the first note, but by then not much static could have built up
on the CD.
Music
But
now, some musical examples with and without the Statmat:
C.V.
Jørgensen: “It is Evident”.
Without:
The initial bongo drums sound a bit muffled, the vocalist’s
“s” sounds are a bit “hissy”, and the bass booms.
With:
The bongo drums are now quite distinct, the “s” sounds have
fallen into place, and the chords of the bass are now audible.
Besides, the acoustics are now suddenly reproduced much more
precisely.
Knut
Reiersrud: “Blues power - Part I” from High Fidelity Reference
CD No. 36.
Without:
The bass is a bit rumbling, the rendering of the vocalists a bit
muffled; it is hard to hear how big the choir is.
With:
The bass is more distinct and the vocalists have a far greater
presence, with a lot more detail, not least in the choirs. The
applause, which almost disappeared before, is now quite clear.
Widor:
Toccata from Symphony No. 5.
Ben van Oosten. MDG.
Without:
You get a feeling of a large room and enormously deep organ tones,
which are, however, a bit indistinct.
With:
It is now very clear that this cathedral has an extremely high
ceiling, as well as great length. The deepest organ pipes now carry
much more weight and firmness.
Beethoven:
The Ruins of Athens, European Chamber Orchestra, directed by
Harnoncourt, from High Fidelity Reference CD No. 36.
Without:
A warm and pleasant sound, but a bit unclear.
With:
Now you hear the size of the concert hall, the contra-basses
are more distinct, and the violins and wind instruments have a
warmer, more natural sound.
I
could carry on like this, as it is a fact that every single CD gives
considerably better sound with a Statmat.
In short, the reproduction is more precise, the instruments
have a more natural sound, and the voices are more distinct.
The contrasts in the music are clearer, and you get a feeling
of increased dynamics.
There is also a total harmony in the acoustic image, which
you would not think could be created by digital reproduction. In
short, this 0.3 gram plastic mat has an amazing effect.
On
various systems
If
you have to make a comparison, which readers of this magazine might
understand, the difference is almost like going from a fairly
unclear magnetic pick-up to a super moving coil, but here we are
talking about quite a different kind of investment.
Finally,
somebody might think that these improvements are only valid on my
system, where the CD player is a Holfi Xandra VLE (i.e. very limited
edition), but, luckily, this is not the case. I actually asked my
friends to test it on five systems at various price levels. The
conclusion, everywhere, was that the above mentioned improvements
were also noticeable on these systems, and although the cheapest
ones naturally did not suddenly sound as good as the more expensive
systems, there was a pronounced improvement. In fact, everybody who
has heard the Statmat intends to order it from England.
However, by the time you read this, there is a chance that
the Statmat can be purchased in Danish shops.
Conclusion
This
is pure voodoo. There is, actually, no reason for it working, and we
do not give any guarantees, either. And, as always with these types
of gizmo, you have to be wary of frauds. But once you have played
your CD’s using a Statmat, there is a great risk that you will
continue to do so. The English price for a Statmat of £20 may seem
almost ridiculous in comparison with its appearance, but it is still
one of the best investments in equipment or accessories that we have
seen for a long time.
Click
here
for further news comment on this review...
Bjarne
Jensen,
High Fidelity No.1, 1999
