[macintologist]

I have an FP iMac 800 Mhz with superdrive, running 10.2.6 512MB ram, iTunes v4.

Some audio CDs make a really annoying buzzing sound. How can I peacefully listen to an audio CD when the iMac's cd drive practically drowns it out?

I'm so surprised this hasn't been mentioned a lot. It's such an embarassment when trying to show off the Mac to a potential switcher. Why are CD's so quiet on PCs but so loud (a large number of them) on Macs.

However I will say that some CDs are not loud and load quietly. CD-ROMs are never loud.

[bradoesch]

So it's mostly CD-Rs that are load? Do they have labels on them? If so, that might be what's causing them to vibrate and be noisy.

[macintologist]

No, the last CD I inserted was "Pablo Honey" by Radiohead. and it was loud, just like many other audio CDs that are official.

Ironically, its the copies that are almost all of the time quiet and fast

[subego]

I have 2 iMac DVs and they both suffer from the "buzz-saw" slot loader. One was far worse than the other until at one point it just stopped working altogether. I got it replaced under (extended) warantee, though the new one still does it.

When it first started (back in 2000) I remember reading a kb article that stated it was "the disc not being balanced properly". It also mentioned that uncentered labels could throw it off.

I will assure everyone that I have never inserted a non-factory labeled disc into either machine, so I just have to chalk it up to a crummy design.

As far as convincing switchers, just tell them that Apple learns from its mistakes, and doesn't use them any more...

Unless, of course, that's not true, but aren't most macs tray-loaders now?

[scottiB]

Check how the silkscreen ink is disbursed on the disc. Some discs designs are heavy to one side--or whatever.

Try different CDs with different designs to compare.

[macintologist]

Those are fine excuses. But why don't PC's ever make these horrible sounds? From my extensive PC experience, I have never ever heard them make such a noice.

[techtrucker]

I think it's because the PC has other noises (Power supply, CPU fan...) that act as white noise and drown out the CD-ROM drive. The iMac is so quiet the noise of the drive is more noticeable. Plus the drive is right in front of you on the iMac, whereas the typical PC tower is off to one side or under the desk. Just my two cents...if it's even worth that much.

Steve W

[macintologist]

PCs never make that loud vibrating noise my iMac makes often when listening to audio cds. CD-ROMS never have this effect.