Sony Music launches Blu-spec CD2 standard

[MyPal]

Where does this BS fit in with the Sony K2 HD CD standard?

[doggiehowser]

I've had a number of these Japanese special discs:

K2HD (I think that's from JVC)
BluSpec
SHM CD
XRCD 2
SHM/XRCD2
1:1 Direct Cut

From what I can tell, SHM and BluSpec are merely manufacturing processes, one using material and the other using the lens.

The others involve mastering changes.

I've compared a regular pressing of Hell Freezes Over, the XRCD version, the SHM version and the SHM XRCD version.

There's IMHO only a slight improvement from the regular to SHM presses. The XRCD version was better again and the SHM/XRCD the best of the lot. Better defined. More resolving.

I've also got other titles with K2HD vs XRCD vs SHM XRCD vs 1:1

The K2 and XR differ in their presentation but are good in different ways. The SHM XRCD improved on the regular XR and the 1:1 was better again. I thot the 1:1 sounded even better than the SACD all played through the XDS1 player.

FWIW I don't think Sony is actively promoting this new format. You can only get the BluSpec stuff from Japan anyway and it appeals to their very distinctive audiophile market.

Frankly I'm just happy for the resurgence of SACD titles (primarily in SHM SACD format), I'm not really complaining.

[bradleyc]

These formats all have one thing in common, the master quality and remastering process has more impact to the overall sound quality than the actual format selected IMO

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by bradleyc

These formats all have one thing in common, the master quality and remastering process has more impact to the overall sound quality than the actual format selected IMO

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

Certainly. I've listened to average sounding SHM SACD too.

[bradleyc]

Three of the best I own and have heard on SHM-SACD are Cream "Wheels of Fire", The Who "Who's Next", and Traffic "John Barleycorn Must Die".

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[djwhog]

I guess the bottom line is that there are a lot of formats, and many that are better than the mass market. Even an HDCD is so much better than a standard CD.

A while back Dan linked me to this format that is very impressive. I sure wish they had more titles, it is amazing and like dvd-a , sacd blu-ray HD master all in one.

It is called SuperDisc By Monster

Here is a link Monster Music

I have a few and now order the Lee Ritenour - 6 String Theory