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Japanese Mini-LP Obi CD's -- Audiophile Quality?

Hello all,
My comment/question is concerning with those often called "collector" CDs imported from Japan as Mini-LPs often including an "obi."

Now I have no question that the CD cover & artwork is REALLY nice and almost always above typical & audiophile CD stuff. The "obi" I could really care less about but some folks like and are willing to pay for. And lets not forget that these things are EXPENSIVE, as far as CDs go.

OK, so the real question is are they worth it??? Are they remasters from the original masters? Are they realy considered audiophile grade or is all this just MARKETING junk.

I have mixed thoughts of my own - some are great, some are comparible to Wal-Mart, some are overly remastered to the point of loosing warmth.

So, the next question is: if there is so much difference from one to the next -- what are the realible high quality producers/labels?

Cheers
128x128grateful
slaw3
139 posts
 
I agree, although there are many titles which are only available as remasters from Japan. For instance, I'm a big YES fan (I know, beat me hurt me). The Anderson, Bruford Wakeman Howe CD available in the USA is a terrible piece of flat garbage, but the Japanese remaster is wonderful! Space! Shimmer! Actual bottom end slam!
So if the title is only available remastered in Japan, I always go for it. Haven't been burned on that yet.
Conversely, the Japanese "Kind of Blue" doesn't hold a candle to the USA remastered version. It's compressed, flat and impossible to listen to. It IS quiet though. Go figure.
How will you know the diff? Beats the heck out of me, although reviews on Amazon.com, Tower and other sites can be helpful in this respect if you wade through them and find someone who comments on sound quality.
Good luck!
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
the manufactured quality of cd's varies wildly(and dvd's too) from plant to plant. many of the mini lp's sound better, even though the masters are the same. their relative value for many though is the attention to detail(packaging is becoming a lost art), and the fact that their numbers are limited. they are in most cases as good of a pressing as you are likely to find.in a hobby where we overspend on equipment as a rule, there's nothing wrong with insuring the best software is collectable too.
grateful's avatar
grateful OP
104 posts
 
I appreciate the comments. And I full agree with you, Jaybo - I definately have no problem with paying top $$$ for great "software" I would be dead if my wife knew what I have paid for some of the rare ultradisc's I have.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
the only problem i have with the minis is there are too many to buy. i have a friend with over 600 jazz releases....i'm not brightest guy, but thats a lot of coin. its like building a model railroad
rja's avatar
rja
2,357 posts
 

In many cases the mini LPs are only produced for the first run of a re-issue then further runs are cased in standard jewel case packaging. At least this has been the case with many that I've purchased such as the recent Steely Dan, Jackson Browne and Santana CDs. So the mini LPs are probably the same quality as the later issues of the same titles.
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