does import cds sound better

Don't know if import Redbook from the EU sounds better, but often there are some extra tracks added. In the case of Rock/Pop CDs they are still going to suffer from high compression (the Loudness Wars). The EU or British Rock releases I've purchased were over-compressed just like US releases, but some artists like Trent Rezner are producing lower compressed, more dynamic recordings.

CDs pressed in Japan are much higher quality than the US. Plus, the Japanese offer SHM-CD (Super High Material CD), which I'm told is vastly superior to SACD, but at 3X the price.
Classical Redbook from the EU always sounds better due to the high standards of those record labels.

Does anybody know the process the Japanese are using to make a SHM CD? By that I mean are they using original masters from the record labels; I know the CD itself is made of a different material, but how is the remastering being done?

There are a few Agon members who are buying them and have even made recommendations to me.(and they're all under $45)

thanks Rja.
I'm also wondering if the SHM process improves the sound of early digital CDs, some of which are bright and thin sounding. I'm asking because there are many SHMCD's of 1980s recordings available and they are priced under $30.

Many are on the DG label, for example...
http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-Karajan-Herbert-Von/dp/B0053MFNF2/ref=sr_1_25?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1381812472&sr=1-25&keywords=shm-cd

Thanks very much for the explanation, Rja. I just assumed they would do some EQ or cleaning up the tracks. I guess the reason for the debate over this format is due to the fact that many doubt a new material will make a difference. I will listen for myself.
(and Aja is an excellent reference recording).