New Wave Outpost Forum

by **haastilecreation** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 11:36 am

I am interested in picking this up but I wanted to see what the sound quality is like (It's almost $30 dollars). Amazon says it's remastered but I trust what you guys/gals have to say over them. Let me know!

by **micmij** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:06 pm

From what I remember they are not remastered - most likely the same masters as the 90s Warner issues.

by **ApolloZero** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:12 am

It is a SHM-CD. Super High Material CD, is an improved version of the Compact Disc material that uses super quality, enhanced transparency polycarbonate material developed for use in LCD screens.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue39/shmcd.htm

I just ordered a copy because i have fallen for the the SHM sound. I have Prince and Sparks cds in the format. I just ordered more including first two Adam Ant albums. They all come in limited edition card board sleeves with album artwork.

They have reissues of Devo, Sting, Police and more in this format. Cheapest way to buy is cdjapan.co.jp.

by **haastilecreation** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:07 am

Hmmm. Thanks for the reply! I guess I will give it a try. It will be worth the purchase just for the replica LP sleeve! When you get yours let me know how it sounds!

by **haastilecreation** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:24 am

I have really been tempted to buy the Devo boxed set. Do you have some of the Devo releases?

by **obs** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:13 am

[i]> http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue39/shmcd.htm[/i]

"It closes the gap by 80-90% between CDs and SACDs on top audiophile machines and this is quite an achievement."

Is this some kind of a joke?

The only thing better about an SHMCD is that it's easier for a player/drive to read without errors. It's the same gimmick as Yamaha's Audio Master Quality on their F1 CD writer, which was later licenced to Plextor, although Plextors have a similar feature in Gigarec.

by **bigwavedave** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:37 pm

haastilecreation, I picked up the Devo box of the mini lp versions in Japan last year. Kind of expensive, but unlike the Smiths, these were all digitally remastered.

I do enjoy my Smiths set for the mini lp replica factor though!

by **haastilecreation** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:33 am

Yeah, I have been craving the Devo boxed set. I am going to go for it

by **clarence** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 4:21 pm

They did a really nice job with the Devo box - money well spent I thought. Bonus tracks on the studio albums would have helped offset the price, but still worth it. The audio quality and the packaging I felt were both top notch.

by **haastilecreation** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:39 am

I am wondering if we are going to get pimped out CD versions of the Smiths remasters. I wish Rhino would just let us know a little something.

by **clarence** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:43 pm

would be nice to know, wouldn't it?

by **CounterCircular** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:04 pm

I have about 15 titles with SHM-CD, all from the 60s and 70s, and I can tell hands down they are extremely nice sounding, better than the original CD's by far.

I started with just one title, was skeptical until I compared it to my original and it floored me. So for me, there has been a major enhancement in the sound compared to my original discs for the titles I've purchased. Warm, rich and I think hearing subtle sounds I never heard before. Like an LP played on the finest turntable BUT without a hint of surface noise.

by **Rubellan** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:25 pm

I own some of the SPARKS SHM-CD's, and find no superior sound on them. In fact, one is a vinyl remaster, so what's the point?! I think it's hype. The sound quality comes down to the remastering far more so than the materials used to manufacture the CD, IMHO.

Scott

by **obs** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 12:23 pm

[i]> I have about 15 titles with SHM-CD, all from the 60s and 70s, and I can tell hands down they are extremely nice sounding, better than the original CD's by far.[/i]

You should securely/accurately rip both CDs and compare the waveforms. If one sounds better, it is because it's been remastered/tweaked somehow. That, or your CD player's laser is a piece of dung.

If you still think that SHM-CDs sound better purely based on the disc being easier to read, do a search for comments on Yamaha's Audio Mastering Quality (different "technology", but same principle).

Analogy: You can print a book in any font, or hand print it, even, on any type of paper, but at the end of the day, the story is exactly the same. Making the story easier to read isn't going to make the story any better.

by **CounterCircular** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 11:47 pm

WTF???????????

If they sound much better to me, at least for the ones I have purchased, that's all that matters. I won't even begin to tell you how much difference there is, because you obviously are the master of knowledge to know that they don't.

For the titles I have, there is a difference that is strikingly noticeable, and no, it is not volume. If you want to hear for yourself, listen to the regular CD version of String Driven Thing, then listen to the SHM-CD. It is very different. Of course, my self and several friends are likely all wrong since the audio experts on this site know hands down without even listening. I don't need some analyzer to tell my ears the difference in what I am hearing.

I am also not saying all SHM-CD will be this way, just that for the select titles I chose they are very noticeably better.

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