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Hearsay, Rumor, Myth or Fact?

Last week I ordered a cd by Lee Morgan called "Charisma" on Blue Note Records from CD Connection. Their database listed a $10 domestic cd and a $25 imported cd...same music label.

I received the $10 cd yesterday. I played it last night and it was thoroughly enjoyable. What do you get for the extra $15 on the imported version?

I was told by a wise old sage and fellow jazz fanatic back in the '70's that imported lp's from Japan were of superior quality than the domestic stuff. Normally in record stores back then, when you saw the Japanese version of an lp, it was generally at least twice the cost of the domestic version.

Has anyone here found this superiority claim to be true? Can anyone cite any specific examples of recordings that they have compared side by side that supports the import superiority claim?

If true, is it generally found that certain record labels sound better on the imported version...or is it generally true across the board?

Or, is it true in just jazz recordings?

Or, is this something that audiophiles do to spend more money to psychologically fool themselves that their system will sound better if the imported recording costs more money than the domestic version?

It would seem a shame for an audiophile to spend $10-50K+ on a system, and then feel like he's cutting corners when confronted with these two choices when purchasing music. I would rather not spend more than twice as much for a piece of music just for peace of mind that I've gotten the best if it's just hearsay, rumor or myth.
mitch4t

Showing 1 response by loontoon

loontoon
301 posts
 
Do to many of the US manufacturers re-grinding thier old vinyl that didn't sell, and NOT REMOVING THE LABELS.

As for vinyl and loonatic fringe, I resemble that remark, but, I fail to see how vinyl chloride monomer, the offender in vinyl is effected by the pressing process.

The monomer is an issue when in it's monomeric form. Not in it's processed polyvinylchloride form aka PVC.

All vinyl is basic pipe grade vinyl, modified in one way or another and plasticizers with carbon black added for static disappation and color.

So I doubt the vinyl formulation would be that different, I would guess attention to detail of the masters, recording and pressing process.

Also the run numbers in non US countries tend to be less and often times the master is not over used, or used up when the piece of vinyl comes to you.

my 2 pence worth,

loon
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