With super-thin carbon fiber top and soft medical implant-grade silicone on the bottom, the Super Black Hole improves the best features of the best CD mats and takes disc playback to a new plateau of high performance. By reducing micro-vibration in the CD spin during playback, laser-reading error is potentially reduced. (Error correction in audio CD discs is not perfect; it is algorithm-based "guessing," not binary like in data CDs). By damping the disc/clamp interface, micro-vibrations generated by spinning discs are hindered, keeping them from permeating throughout the player where capacitors, op-amps, micro-processors, and other sensitive parts can be adversely affected. In-house testing with The Black Hole CD Mat indicates much of the audible improvement is due to improved ambient soundwave phase relations.
Unlike the Millennium CD mat that slides around on discs, The Super Black Hole stays put until you remove it. While the Millennium CD mat does a great job sonically, it sometimes lacks compared to the full-spectrum dynamics provided by the Super Black Hole. A firm, intimate contact works better than a disc just laying on top, plus the siliconelayer adds superior vibration-absorbing ability.
Unlike The Black Hole, the non-sticky, low-tack Super Black Hole does not use adhesive, so it can be perpetually transferred from one disc to another–forever! The rigid carbon fiber layer keeps the mat flat and firm.
Unlike the original full-size grungebuster CD mat, the Super Black Hole does not tend to catch air pockets under it and, with its smaller size, is easier to place on the disc. (We discovered years ago that a smaller mat that simply addresses the clamping/disc interface and hub area of the CD provides superior results).
Herbie's hand-made Super Black Hole is compatible with most drawer, horizontal slot-loading, and top-loading CD, SACD, DVD, and Blu-ray players (not recommended for vertical slot-loaders or computer drives).
The Black Hole CD Mat is a
hubcap-style mat with pressure-sensitive adhesive,
designed to be kept permanently on an individual disc to
avoid having to apply and reapply a mat with each use. The mat is removable, however, so it can be auditioned from one disc to another.
The Black Hole CD Mat primarily affects
digital conversion and analog stages of playback by reducing vibrations at the disc/clamp
interface that are generated by disc spin. Without this interface being damped effectively, acute micro-vibrations travel through solid materials and permeate throughout the player, causing distortions in
capacitors, op-amps, and other sensitive electronic parts. Stray laser reflections might also be reduced. In-house testing indicates much of the audible improvement is due to improved ambient soundwave phase relations.
The Black Hole CD Mat helps your player deliver the mid/upper detail
resolution that it's engineered to do, without grunge and glare. Brings out a well-defined bass that's true to the source, great timbre and sonic texture. In most systems, using the mat reveals more subtle nuance and details, some of which may have been previously unheard or unheard in
their true timbre. (Degree
of sonic improvement varies somewhat from one
component/system to
another.) For
use with all CD, SACD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs and players. Made with a unique
carbon microfiber-filled elastomer and pure silicone adhesive.
1.75" diameter x .021"
thick. Weight: 1.1 gram.
The Black Hole CD Mat:
$129 ea.
10 or more: $1.05 ea.
25 or more: $.99 ea.
50 or more: .$.94 ea.
100 or more: $.89 ea.
200 or more: $.84 ea.
grungebuster Black CD
Mat:
(silver edge is CD
beneath the mat; click
the photo for larger
picture)
For trayless top-loaders only. This is a 4.25" diameter mat intended to be used over and over again, transferred from one disc to another. It has no adhesive; you just place it on top of the CD or DVD, label side, and play (requires compatible puck or clamping mechanism to hold it in place). Made with unique
carbon microfiber-filled elastomer.
.020"
thick. Weight: 7.7 grams.
grungebuster Black CD Mat $989 ea.
grungebuster
SP: For stable platter CD and DVD mechanisms. These are players that have a
turntable-like platter, with the CD or DVD placed
label-side down on the platter. Same as the grungebuster Black CD Mat above, with a mild pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to one side,
which enables the mat to be adhered permanently
to the CD platter. Just apply it once, with no need to
place a mat on the CD (the mat can be removed from the
platter and re-adhered at any time). Can also be used
with top-loaders that have a
full-CD-size clamping puck—just adhere the mat
full-time to the puck or weight.
.020"
thick x 4.25" diameter. Weight: 7.9 grams.
grungebuster SP
$1995 ea.
90-day
no-risk trial.
If not
satisfied, simply return any Herbie's Audio Lab
product within 90 days for a complete refund.
Lifetime
warranty.
If anything
ever goes wrong, simply return any Herbie's Audio Lab
CD Mat and it will be repaired or replaced and
returned to you at no cost.
-Comments-
Name: Nate Rushfinn Message: Super Black Hole vs. Black Hole mat in a 5 CD platter changer?
I have a Sony 5 CD platter changer. To use a Super Black Hole would require purchasing 5 mats to be practical. I have 100 CDs that I normally listen to. I am trying to decide on permanently mounting 100 black hole mats, vs. having 5 super black hole to use in the changer?
Thanks
Webmaster's reply: Your call. We have many customers using both with Sony five-disc players and getting superb results. With some systems, Super Black Hole will have a sonic advantage over The Black Hole, though either will provide virtually equivalent results in most systems. Name: Michael Message: Hi, i am interested in purchasing 1 black hole to ship to Canada. what would the cost be for shipping?
Thank you
Webmaster's Reply: You can choose 1st-Class Mail shipping option for a Shipping/handling cost of $5.00. Name: Nigel Groves, U.K. Message: Just a quick note to than you for your usual high level of service. I have been evaluating the super black hole cd mat over the last week and I can confirm that it delivers the results you described. Over the years I've tried a number of different mats including the 'top' Marigo mat. From now on, I'll be using your mat- enough said ! Name: James Reitz Message: I'm getting a second Super Black Hole--it's a great product! Name: Bob Matthews Message: Thanks for being so fast in getting this new SP stable platter mat out to me.
I really think that it is definitely an improvement over the old white color mat!
This one was much easier to center, and the edges did not stick out over the original platter. And, the CD's don't seem to stick to the mat either.
My Pioneer PD-65 Stable platter (turntable like) CD player never sounded so good!
Yesterday, my wife couldn't pry me out of my listening room!
Diana Krall and Chris Botti never sounded so good! The sound now is just completely SMOOTH!!!!, with great bass with extended depth! This mat takes out any existing harshness or shrillness completely! You would never know you were listening to a 10-15 year old CD player. It sounds as good as any 24 bit player I have ever heard!
So, thanks again for sending me the new mat so fast. Your shop is the "Best Kept Secret" in audio! Keep up the good work.
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