My US pressed DSOTM SACD also has crack around the spindle. I bought the SACD at Best Buy for about $13.00. After examining the packaging, I noticed the following disclaimer:
"This product is a Hybrid SACD designed to play in both CD and SACD players, as well as SACD compatible DVD players. The 5.1 SACD Surround Sound Mix requires a Multi-Channel SACD player ore compatible Surround Sound system. The 5.1 SACD Surround Sound Mix is not available using a standard CD or DVD player. This product is provided AS IS, without any express or implies warranties. SACD, DSD and their logos are trademarks of Sony."
All capitalization in this quote is the same as it appears on the package. Could it be that Capitol Records knew about the defects? Is Capitol knowingly selling the defective disks to discounters? Does the packaging on the Japanese pressing have the same disclaimer? I for one will be looking for a Japanese pressing of this disk. The crack on my copy is all the way around the center. I am worried that the center could break from the rest of the disk during playback. I do not have my receipt and in any case I doubt that Best Buy would take the disk back.