When will they ever learn ?

[sandyK]

When Will They Ever Learn ?

Recently, Sony introduced a new Compact Disc that is compatible with all CD players.
It is called a Blu-spec CD.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Blu-spec CD describes an Audio CD manufactured by a proprietary process introduced by Sony Music Entertainment (SME)
in late 2008.[1] Its name derives from the similar manufacturing process to that used to create Blu-Ray Discs.
Instead of a traditional infra-red laser, a blue laser is used for recording the pits on the CD master
that is needed for disc replication. The blue laser creates more precise pits, causing less distortion in the optical read-out process.[2]

A Blu-spec CD can be played on all CD players and does not require a blue laser to be read.[3]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-spec_CD


There are now quite a few Blu-spec CDs available from retailers like CD Japan.
Among the releases are samplers which contain 2 CDs with identical content.
One CD is mastered using the Blu-spec process, and the other version is mastered using conventional mastering.
Both CDs are made from the same master, and at least in the case of "Feel the Difference of the Blu-spec CD Rock Selection",
when both CDs are copied to a HDD using the same writer,they have identical check sums.
The Blu-spec version does however sound noticeably better than the other
version when played by a typical CD/DVD player.

Yesterday, I received the "Feel the Difference of the Blu-spec CD Rock Selection 2 from Japan.
The tracks listed are :

1. SOUNDS OF SILENCE,THE/ SIMON & GARFUNKEL
2. TIME AFTER TIME/ CYNDI LAUPER
3. HOLD THE LINE/ TOTO
4. DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'/ JOURNEY
5. FANTASY/ EARTH,WIND & FIRE
6. MANIC MONDAY/ BANGLES
7. FLAME,THE/ CHEAP TRICK
8. DON'T BRING ME DOWN/ ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
9. SAVE THE COUNTRY/ LAURA NYRO
10. TANGLED UP IN BLUE/ BOB DYLAN
11. LED BOOTS/ JEFF BECK
12. DANCE TO THE MUSIC/ SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE
13. SUMMERTIME/ JANIS JOPLIN
14. ALL THE YOUNG DUDES/ MOTT THE HOOPLE
15. YOUR MAMA DON'T DANCE
16. POINT OF KNOW RETURN/ KANSAS
17. BLACK MAGIC WOMAN/GYPSY QUEEN/ SANTANA

As I already have the original Blu-spec "Rock Selection" I was looking forward to comparing the latest sampler,
as the previous Blu-spec version's tracks sounded considerably better than I have heard them previously,
due to the higher precision of this new format.
This new Blu-spec format is designed to give improved playback of CD, and is aimed at audiophiles.
Much to my disgust, Sony hasn't painted ALL tracks with the "loudness Brush" but dipped them into the tin of paint!!!
I had to turn the 24 position attenuator of my headphone amplifier down 3 or 4 clicks from a typical listening position, and even then,
the tracks were damn annoying with their heavy compression, and hard limiting.


When will the majority of record companies get it through their thick heads,
that people don't want to pay a premium price for a product that is severely compressed and hard limited ?
As an aside , I looked in Sound Forge 9 at a track from an earlier Santana CD,
and there was actually several dB of headroom left.

Shame SONY, shame !!!

[picowallspeaker]

Japanese sent secret agents in western lands . They did a research in public places ( japanese are respectful and wouldn't enter in private houses ) and their reports were scanned and computed . These songs represent us at this moment. Compressed and limited ! Probably it should be played in a supermarket or commercial centre.

[maxro]

Originally Posted by picowallspeaker

Probably it should be played in a supermarket or commercial centre.

Judging by the track listing, that would seem appropriate.