Japanese Presses - SACD, CD, LP

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited May 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
IS it really worth it? I'm on Music Direct right now checking out an SACD version of Santana's Abraxas. They have 2 versions one for $20, another $40 from Japan. Is it worth it? Will the Japanese version really sound better given their reputation for good pressing.
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited May 2007
    It's possible that the Japanese pressing may be slightly better, but not at that rate (doubling the US version's price). Given that the Santana SACD can be had as a US pressing, I'd recommend checking ebay first.

    Get those single-layer Sony SACD if you can....they're all considered out-of-print.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2007
    I'd say there is a good chance the japanese version lp would be worth the difference due to the vinyl (past experience) but not sure about SACD or CD. Is it a mastering difference or a production difference?
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2007
    I believe it is a production difference. Something about less jitter and less noise.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,554
    edited May 2007
    Japanese production facilities are like clean rooms, very high standards. I've found the discs are smoother on the edges and the center area is beefer. However, not all the Japanese CD's I've bought actually sound better than the US version, but those that do are well worth the money, IMO.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited May 2007
    F1nut wrote: »
    Japanese production facilities are like clean rooms, very high standards. I've found the discs are smoother on the edges and the center area is beefer. However, not all the Japanese CD's I've bought actually sound better than the US version, but those that do are well worth the money, IMO.
    How about an example?
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,554
    edited May 2007
    Off the top of my head, Boz Scaggs-Silk Degrees. The Sony Mastersound US copy (outdated technology by todays standards) sounds much better than the recent Japanese issue.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited May 2007
    Solid,

    I have the standard SACD of Abraxas, one of my favorites.

    RT1
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2007
    Cool thanks. I'm going to go with the USA version. $40 bucks is a little steep.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited May 2007
    On the Woodshed Rig the opening track with the glass really grabs you.

    RT1
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