As a general rule as with LPs I’ve often found that the original CD from the country of origin of the artist sounds best. This was definitely true of the Kate Rusby CDs I collected. Here I’m referring to first issues not teamsters of old material
I have multiple CD issues of the same artist from the US, West Germany, EU, and Japan. These are original flat pressings, not remasters. There may be differences in dynamics, high and low-end extension, soundstage, 3D imaging, and noise-floor resulting in more separation between instruments. Early issues may sound different than later issues and there’s no guarantee that a first pressing has better SQ than a later release.
Typically I like the SQ of German releases (later issues are labelled as EU). And I’ve found that Japanese pressings are consistently of very high quality. Of course, you must have a high quality CD setup to reveal these differences.
Also keep in mind that the "Made in Xxxxxx" has no bearing whatsoever on where the record company is that released it. US record companies would use whatever CD plant gave them the best deal on replication. The sound quality has everything to do with the digital MASTER that was supplied by the record company. Many US releases back in the 80's & 90's were Made in Germany, because they had a lot of CD pressing plants. Now.... if the printing is in German or Japanese... then clearly it's a foreign release... but who knows where the digital Master came from. I've heard them be bit-for-bit copies of the US release, but i've also heard some sound really bad. You just don't know until you hear it and compare.
So yes I did listen to them, and I heard no difference on my equipment. And yes some have liner notes printed in other countries. I even have one that's made in the USA, but the liner notes were printed in Canada. The King Crimson disk I mentioned was made and printed in Germany. Is the value the same as the one made and printed in the U.S?
Other than the WEA disks and perhaps disks made and printed in France, Japan and Germany, are there any others I should not get rid of?
If it were me, I would keep any Mobile Fidelity, DCC (gold discs), and the ones from Japan. 60’s and 70’s rock would suit me but may not be for you. Since they’re not mine, you’ll have to decide for yourself. Best of luck.
There is a difference between a Zeppelin Made in Japan with OBI and a Made in Japan Daio Kosan for distribution in the US. Both are of excellent SQ, the difference is collectors want the OBI and will pay a premium for it. In any event, those CDs are great finds.
I have a LZ II manufactured by TELDEC, Germany... one of the best sounding CDs I’ve ever heard.
Spent the long weekend going through the over 900 CD's. Gonna keep about 225 and donate the rest to a local college who has yearly sale. The proceeds go to helping the blind.
Just found a website called Discogs. Nothing but album information. Did you know that album Court of the Crimson King was made 279 times. And Fragile by Yes, between vinyl, 8 track, cassette and CD was made 466 times!
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