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SHM SACD's need to be burned in

I recently purchased Aja on a SHM sacd. I have never purchased any single disc at this price,but the chance of aquiring one of my favorite albums on SACD made me go for it.
I was so excited the day it arrived. I warmed up my system for a half an hour and popped it in. WHAT A DISAPOINTMENT!
The bass was bloated and the highs rolled off. It was inferior to my two redbook copies sonically(MFSL ultradisc and 1999 remaster).
I went on various forums to see if others had the same opinion as mine. To my surprise what I gathered was that playing these SHM SACD's about ten times to burn in improves the sound. I didn't beieve it but I had the disc already so .....
I played it on repeat on my cdp for two days straight. I then warmed up my system the same way and expected little change.
Much to my surprise the base tighten up,the highs improved and the soundstage organised itself. If I hadn't heard this for myself I never would have believed it.The mofi wasn't in the ballpark anymore!
Anyone else with a simular experience?

Regards,
montejay

Showing 3 responses by rja

rja's avatar
rja
2,356 posts
 
Tbj,
You have 50 SHM-SACDs?
There's only been about 70 released so far in Japan at 4286Yen each or US$51.14 each using todays exchange rate plus shipping of course. CDUniverse lists these at $80.29 each.
Are you sure you're not thinking SHM-CD?
rja's avatar
rja
2,356 posts
 
1. Assuming Montejay is not trying to pull our leg and this is not a joke, we have to take the difference he heard at face value.
2. The question then is what caused the difference in sound he heard.
3. IMO: Montejay is assuming that SHM-SACD burn-in caused the difference he heard. Personally, I find this explanation implausible because we would have heard of this phenomenon before if it was relatively common. The fact is, as far as I can tell, none of us here have heard of SHM-SACD burn-in before.
4. Then we are left with speculating on other possible causes.
PS: SHM-SACDs are relatively new so probably not that many in USA yet.
PSS: I have a number of SHM-CDs and have not noticed this situation with them.
rja's avatar
rja
2,356 posts
 
Montejay,
I'm not doubting what you heard. I'm doubting your conclusion that SACD burn-in is responsible. IMO some other phenomenon is at work here.
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