Furutech RD-2

Disc Magnetization Is No Mystery

The silk-screened label on an optical disc contains chemical compounds such as iron, nickel, and cobalt. These materials are all strongly magnetic and easy to remagnetize. The reflective information-bearing surface of optical media contains 99% aluminum, but 1% of these same highly magnetic materials! Even aluminum is a weak magnetic material.
Optical discs actually become magnetized as they play! A magnetic field is induced as the disc spins in the player. In fact, demagnetization is routinely carried out by disc manufacturers everywhere. Because of tight, ultra-competitive pricing, most anufacturers now skip this important step. Top performance can only be achieved by demagnetizing before recording.
Other so-called demagnetizers on the market -- head erasers, bulk erasers, demagnetizing bars, “rotary” demagnetizers -- don’t actually demagnetize your discs. Some of them actually induce magnetism! For example, when a disc stops spinning in a rotary demagnetizer, some part of the CD is over a fixed magnet that once again magnetizes it.
Because Furutech’s RD-2 Ring Magnet technology ramps the power up then down again.



The RD-2 is also ideal for removing magnetic field buildup from cables, connectors, and power cords! No part of the playback chain should be influenced by resolution-sapping magnetic interference.

How long does demagnetization last?
Listen for changes over six months and you’ll clearly hear the sound deteriorate toward the end of that time.

When is the best time to demagnetizing for best results?
The best time is absolutely prior to recording. It’s like the difference between a low quality disc and a high quality one. Using low quality discs with the RD-2 before recording is much better than using high quality discs without demagnetization! Before recording, demagnetize both the original media and the blank disc for absolutely the best results.

Why do other “demagnetizers” have little effect or a negative impact by further magnetizing a disc?
These other demagnetizers may be too small for an entire disc. “Discontinuous” magnetization may result from an inaccurately tracking power supply. The Furutech RD-2 Demagnetizer was developed with a special coil that’s bigger than the surface of a disc. A precise, automatic process that ramps the power up then down and completely nulls magnetic fields.

Are new discs magnetized?
Yes, often new discs have not been demagnetized at all and will be influenced by magnetism right in the production process!