2. digital
  3. 1228287621

SHMCD : Second thought on buying SACD player

So it has been said, the Super High Material CDs (SHMCD)close the gap by 80-90% between CDs and SACDs on top audiophile machines.... Just curious, for those having listened to SHMCD, do you have second thought on buying SACD players ? Why and why not ?

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue39/shmcd.htm
greeni

Showing 2 responses by rja

rja's avatar
rja
2,356 posts
 

I own a number of SHM-CDs and I agree that it's a title dependent proposition. As I posted in other threads when they first came out, if the original sounds excellent then the SHM gives it just a bit more refinement, especially in the high end. So the best ones are very good. If sound quality is important to you AND you're committed to redbook then these are worth seeking out IMHO. The SHM cannot turn a sows ear into a silk purse. To me, SHM is not revolutionary but more subtle in effect. As always, I would suggest checking a few out and forming your own opinion.

Agree with Hooper that the prices on these are a little out of line but then CDs in general are more costly in Japan. So adding the SHM premium onto already higher prices makes them around US$25-$27 not including shipping which is also high. So US suppliers have to ask somewhere in the mid $30s or more. And of course, exchange rates come into play.

As far as purchasing a SACD player or not, the existence of SHM-CD would not affect my decision one way or another.
rja's avatar
rja
2,356 posts
 
MrTennis,
I own several (actually more than several) Japanese CDs, latest release and latest release in SHM. I believe they are identical (same mastering) except for the Super High Material.

The differences I note are a very slight increase in clarity and a slight increase in high end refinement. As I mentioned, if the sound of the CD is not very good to begin with the SHM is probably not worth the effort. However, the SHM can make an excellent sounding CD sound just a bit better. Again, not by leaps and bounds, but by a more subtle magnitude.

Whether that subtle difference is important enough to seek out or pay a premium price for is an individual decision. As far as the original post, definitely don't see these replacing SACDs.

On a related note I have heard several of the new HQCDs and IMO they sounded rather good. I believe these were produced in response to the SHM-CDs. I also have several Miles Davis Blu-spec CDs on order which should arrive around the first of the year.
More to discover