Digital Drive

Posted by cool miles (A) on February 16, 2008 at 04:19:10

It is good that companies are looking for new materials to make cd's as they have proven to start to break down after 20 years. Super High Material CD's are being tested in Japan by Universal and JVC.

It is described on CD Japan as "Japanese reissue on SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan. Polycarbonate plastic with improved transparency is used for the disc surface for enhanced audio quality. *Plays on regular CD players."

We compared the most recent Sonny Rollins "Saxophone Colossus" remastered in 24 bit K2 compression with the new SHM version that would appear but cannot be sure, the same mastering.

We used Audio Research Reference CD 7 with Audio Research LS 26 Linestage and Audio Research Reference 220 Tube preamp with Neeper speakers for the test.

The SHM has a higher gain and we had to lower the sound to play them equal. The normal disk was warmer, more realistic to the LP. The CD had more air and information.

The SHM on the other hand sounded mildy compressed. The background detail was not always there. The soundstage was modified. The background piano louder and the music would be harder to listen to over time.

We commend the companies for trying to improve the quality of materials, but in no way should you pay twenty eight dollars for one of these new CDs.

We did the same experiment on an under $1,000 NAD system with similiar results.

We would like to try a modern recording that has more frequency, however none were available and I see no point in wasting my money.

I notice many standards albums, Miles Davis etc are coming out. I suggest you stick to your collection and do not buy the inferior new CD's.

• http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=UCCO-9161   (Open in New Window)