Hi bhtteo,
I guess you've misunderstood RockyBoy and Gouldian. pH 8.3 and kH 8 is the parameter of your aquarium or CR? You should measure pH/kH/Ca of the "output" of your CR. If your output pH is 8.3, then its too high and the media is not "burning".
CR will raise Ca and kH of your aquarium slowly. The working principle between CR and denitrator is different
Hope this helps..